In the name of increased productivity and efficiency many food producers in their infinite wisdom make many products, like ice cream, cookies and chocolate bars that contain nuts on the same machinery as their non-nut counterparts.  This alienates the group of people deathly allergic to peanuts, peanut butter and other nuts.  While these non-nut foods may NOT have been contaminated with the foul pieces of death, they MIGHT have been.

    The companies therefore cover their corporate butts by putting these disheartening words on all of their packaging:  This product may contain or have come in contact with nut/nut products.

    For we happy few, we few, we band of people whose bodies reject the vicious nut, those words plunge us into the depths of despair.

    Here we are at the store and we see them... Cookies, squares, ice cream or whatever you desire... and we want them.  But this cannot be a impulse purchase, oh no.  If we value our health, we must analyze  the tiny ingredient list meticulously to assertain any indication of nut products.   Upon seeing no indication of nuts or peanut butter in the ingredients, we rejoice :), and prepare to make off with our treasure.Then, we see those dreaded words, those spirit-breaking, cookie-stealing heartless words:  This product may contain traces of nuts.  PAIN and DESPAIR!!!!!!

    We then have a decision to make.  Do we leave behind our much coveted prize or do we take the chance of an adverse reaction in the hopes that this package was not tainted by the filthy manufactuering machines drenched with evil peanut butter.  This is what I live with every time I go grocery shopping, playing  Nut-Russian-Roulette;  all thanks to efficiency and productivity of the food producers that hold us all captive.   And to these companies, I blow a high "speed" electron.  Dodge that if you can!!!!!!