Frequently Asked Questions

All Food Allergens:
It is a Unilever Ice Cream/Good Humor-Breyers policy that when any of the eight most common allergens (milk, eggs, fish, wheat, tree nuts, peanuts, soybeans and crustaceans) occur in any of our products (including Klondike and Popsicle brand products), they will be listed on the ingredient label in plain language.

Most importantly, if any of our products contain any type of nut or nut by-product, it will be listed on the ingredient panel. We do not use the terms “All Natural” or “Artificial Flavorings” to hide the existence of any allergens.

We also have special handling procedures for all allergenic ingredients used in our manufacturing facilities. Unilever Ice Cream/Good Humor-Breyers does not have dedicated production lines in our factories for product containing allergens. However, we do have a very strict allergen-handling policy. If there is an allergen concern on a manufacturing line, the machine is disassembled and thoroughly cleaned. This process takes several hours. Our historical results and process verification testing for allergens has shown that these steps are effective at removing allergenic proteins.

Do Your Natural Flavors contain Alcohol?:
Almost all “natural flavors” such as those used in Breyers has alcohol as a critical component of the liquid which contains the flavor compounds. However, keep in mind the flavor usage rate is typically 0.2-0.4%. This would mean an entire 48 oz. package would contain very little alcohol and a single scoop would contain even less.

Is there Gluten in your products?:

Allergens- MSG:
The flavors we use in our Breyers All Natural Ice Cream do not contain MSG. This was recently confirmed by all the flavor suppliers we use.

Animal Testing Policy:
Good Humor/Breyers and Unilever share your concern over this important matter and we are committed to the elimination of animal testing. We do NOT test any of our home or personal care products on animals except where required by law or government regulation. We will continue to work for alternative methods by participating in industry and scientific programs as well as to support legislation that promotes the elimination of animal testing.

Annual Report – How can I get a copy?:
Unilever Ice Cream is not a separate publicly traded company, as it is part of Unilever, one of the world's largest consumer goods companies. Accordingly, our financial information has been rolled into Unilever's and will appear as part of Unilever's annual reports. You can get Unilever's annual reports at www.unilever.com/ourcompany/investorcentre/financial_reports/

Birthday – Why do you ask for it?:
This process is mandated by the FTC and their Children’s Online Privacy Protection Rule (COPPA Rule). The COPPA Rule applies to operators of commercial Web sites and online services directed to children under the age of 13, and to general audience Web sites and online services that collect personal information. Among other things, the Rule requires that Web sites get verifiable consent from a parent or guardian before they collect personal information from children. Therefore, we do not accept submissions from children under the age of 13 on our Ice Cream USA website.

rBGH:
We do not have a policy regarding recombinant bovine growth hormone (rBGH). Currently, Unilever Ice Cream/Good Humor-Breyers does not employ its own dairy producers. We purchase our dairy ingredients from cooperatives, and are unable to guarantee that rBGH is not used. Additionally, all dairy cows secrete the hormone BST in their milk, whether or not they have been treated with the rBGH growth hormone. Currently there is no test available that can distinguish between the naturally-occurring BST and the rBGH growth hormone.

Black Specks:
The black and brown specks in the ice cream are ground vanilla bean. These specks are part of the natural vanilla flavoring in the product. We are sorry if this caused you any concern.

Breyers – How does it get to the store?:
Ice cream is shipped in freezer trucks to distribution centers where it is kept frozen until it is transported directly to a retail outlet or to distributors whose job is to get the ice cream to retail and foodservice outlets.

Brine:
While all of our products are manufactured and packaged under strict supervision, any issue regarding our quality control procedures is of the utmost importance to us. The flavor that you described indicates there may have been a small amount of salt solution in the product. A salt solution is what we use to freeze the water ice pops quickly. Although this solution is very bitter and harsh tasting, it is not harmful.

Caffeine:
Because the FDA does not require us to measure the caffeine level in our products we do not have this information for most of our products. We do know that the Breyers All Natural Coffee ice cream contains 15 milligrams of caffeine per 1/2 cup serving.

Canadian products:
You can visit our exclusive Unilever Ice Cream Canada site at www.breyersicecream.ca

Canadian office address:
Unilever Consumer Services
P.O. Box 38
Saint John NB
E2L 3X1

Carbsmart – How do you calculate net carbs?:
To calculate net carbs, subtract sugar alcohols and fiber from total carbohydrates, as these have minimal impact on blood sugar.

Carbsmart – Is the 0 carb – 0 carb?:
The FDA recognizes that less than 0.5g of carbohydrates is the detection limit, and therefore considers any number less than 0.5g per serving to be low enough for it be declared as having 0g carbohydrates in the Nutrition Facts panel. Consistent with this approach, Unilever Ice Cream uses the claim “0g Net Carbs” on products which contain less than 0.5g of net carbs per serving. If a consumer chooses to eat multiple servings of this product, they will consume a very small amount of net carbs. For example, consuming two servings of this product will result in ingestion of less than 1g net carbs, and three servings of our product will result in ingestion of less than 1.5g of Net Carbs.

How can I obtain coupons for Good Humor/Breyers products?:
We do not have a promotional program where we distribute free coupons or coupon booklets for our products. We suggest that you check your local newspapers and magazines, as we frequently offer cents-off coupons for many of our products. Occasionally we will have special offers available on our web site informing you of new products, sample offers, special events and promotions.

What does DE stand for?:
DE stands for “Dairy Equipment” and is put on the label for compliance with Kosher rules. It means that even though this product has no dairy ingredients, it is produced on equipment that has run dairy products at some point in time. A thorough clean-up and sanitizing process takes place after running different products.

How Can I Become A Distributor?:
Unilever Ice Cream products are sold directly to grocery retailers and/or more than 500 wholesalers and distributors. To learn more about selling opportunities, contact us by submitting a question on the “Ask A Question” tab with the subject “How can I become a distributor of your products?” For information on Breyers branded kiosk opportunities, please visit www.breyerskiosk.com

Will Good Humor/Breyers donate product to my organization/charity?:
As you can imagine, we receive thousands of requests for products and sponsorships throughout the year from many worthy organizations. Consequently, rather than reply to individual requests, we send product regularly to America’s Second Harvest and Worldvision. We encourage you to contact these organizations to become a member which will make you eligible to receive a broad assortment of goods from many manufacturers.

America’s Second Harvest
Headquarters
35 E. Wacker Drive #2000
Chicago, IL 60601
(800) 771-2303
(312) 263-2303
www.secondharvest.org

Washington DC Office
50 F Street N.W. Suite 600
Washington, DC 20001
(202)585-1814
Fax: (202) 628-4817

World Vision
P.O. Box 9716
Federal Way, WA 98063-9716
(888) 511-6548
www.worldvision.org

What does “Double Churned” mean?:
Breyers has made a significant improvement to the taste and texture of ice cream by using unique and proprietary technology during manufacturing.

Traditionally, ice cream is made by continuously churning a liquid ice cream mix in a freezer.

The new Breyers process is uniquely different. Instead of continuously churning the mix all at once, we blend the mix a second time using a proprietary technique. The result is ice cream with a much smoother texture and a noticeably creamier taste.

In addition to regular flavors, the technology is used to make Light, No Sugar Added, and Fat Free products, producing a rich, creamy taste with less fat, calories, and sugar than our regular ice cream.

Downsizing - reduction in carton size:
Over the last two years or so, a number of our ice cream competitors made the decision to reduce the size of their 1/2 gallon containers. At the current time, the price on all of our ingredients, most of all the fresh cream we use in our products, has gone up dramatically in cost. In order to remain competitive, Breyers has made the difficult decision to reduce the size of our basic pack to 56 oz. We believe this change is a way of mitigating the level of future price increases compared to what otherwise might have been the case. As always, you can expect the same great Breyers quality which has been our standard for over 135 years.

Eggs – Are they raw? Are they safe to eat?:
The eggs we use in our ice creams have been pasteurized to kill salmonella and other bacteria that may be present in raw eggs. The process is similar to the pasteurization process that the milk we drink undergoes.

Fat Free – Calories from Fat:
There is a small incidental amount of fat from the emulsifiers used in the Breyers Fat Free ice creams. The U.S. government determines fat free to be less than 0.5g of fat per serving. So, although there is an extremely small amount of fat in the ice cream, it is still considered fat free.

Good Humor Trucks – What were some of the original products?:
Based on photos of Good Humor trucks from that time period, these ice cream bars were available: Vanilla with Chocolate, Chocolate-Chocolate, Toasted Almond, Chocolate Eclair, Chocolate Fudge, Coconut, Banana Split, Fresh Banana, Fresh Strawberry, and Coffee. The Good Humor trucks also sold limited edition ice cream bars, water ice pops in assorted flavors, sundae cups and a stick pop called Humorettes.

Good Humor Trucks – Have one I want to sell:
Since we no longer own and operate Good Humor trucks we do not purchase trucks. You could place an ad in one of the dairy trade publications, such as Dairy Field magazine, or contact Berliners Specialty Distributors at (301) 927-4444, one of the largest ice cream truck vending operations in the country.

Good Humor Trucks – What is the original song?:
Unfortunately, we do not know. In the beginning, the sound of tinkling bells alerted kids to the imminent arrival of the Good Humor truck. Later, trucks added sound systems, and music was played. Over the years, there have been many different songs. We do not have the words or music to any of these songs.

Good Humor Trucks – How many were there at one time?:
In 1961, the Good Humor Corporation owned and operated 200 trucks.

Good Humor Trucks – Where can I find a replica?:
The Danbury Mint sells reproductions of Good Humor trucks from different eras. Their phone number is (203) 853-2000. Golden Wheel Die Casting also sells truck replicas. You can contact them in Hong Kong at (011)852.2412.2339 or via e-mail at sales@goldenwheeldiecast.com.

Good Humor Trucks – Interested in purchasing one:
We no longer own and operate the Good Humor trucks. The trucks you see on the street are owned by large ice cream distributors or private individuals. Occasionally, there are For Sale ads in dairy trade publications such as Dairy Field magazine.

Grainy:
Your description suggests a problem with temperature abuse as a result of a shipping or storage control problem. When ice cream thaws and refreezes, the lactose in the product crystallizes resulting in a grainy/sandy texture. While not harmful, it is unappetizing.

How can I share my great idea for a Good Humor/Breyers product?:
In order to submit an idea, please visit our website at www.ideas4unilever.com which will explain the submission process and provide you with complete instructions.

How is Ice Cream made?:
We follow the manufacturing procedures as set forth by the International Ice Cream Association. Preparation of the mix: Mixtures consist of dairy or iced product to which sweeteners and stabilizers have been added. Stabilizers keep products smooth by preventing the formation of large ice crystals. Pasteurization of the mix: This process consists of heating the mix to a specified temperature for a prescribed time period. The mix is pasteurized in order to destroy harmful microorganisms. The mix is homogenized: Mechanically generated pressure breaks up the fat globules to ensure a smooth product. The mix is frozen: During the freezing process, the mix is agitated to keep the ice crystals small and incorporate air into the product. The amount of aeration differs depending on the product. Other ingredients are added: Fruits, nuts, and other optional ingredients are incorporated into the mixture after freezing. The liquid flavoring ingredients usually are added to the mix before it goes to the freezer. Filling occurs: The mixture is mechanically placed into containers or molds.

How much ice cream is produced in the United States?:
In 2003, 1.5 billion gallons or 22 quarts of ice cream per person were produced. [Source: International Ice Cream Association, 2004]

Ice Structuring Protein – What is it?:

Job Opportunities:
For manufacturing plant positions, please contact the local facility you are interested in. We have manufacturing plants in the following locations:

We often have people seeking Route Sales Driver positions with our Company. Please note that we do not employ Route Sales Drivers. Our retail sales are managed by a broker network, which takes care of local deliveries.

For other employment information and opportunities, please visit www.unilever.com and click on Careers.

Lactose Free:
Breyers has made it possible for consumers who experience lactose intolerance to enjoy real ice cream rather than the soy- or rice-based substitutes currently available. By adding the lactase enzyme during the processing phase, we are able to breakdown the lactose (milk sugar) in our ice cream. This natural process results in a virtually lactose free ice cream that retains the full dairy flavor. As indicated on our package, it is all natural, 99% lactose free, and is not a soy-based product.

Media Inquiries:
If you are a press editor or journalist and would like information about Unilever Ice Cream please contact:

Vanessa Mason
GolinHarris
111 E. Wacker Dr.
Chicago, IL 60601
vmason@golinharris.com

Mono’s and Di’s – What is the Source?:
The mono and diglycerides used in our products come from a plant source.

Product – Prices:
We take everyday price and value to be very important. While we do not control store pricing, be assured we make every effort to hold costs and prices down, even as ingredients, transportation costs and utilities increase.

What is the best place to buy GHB products?:
GHB products are sold in supermarkets, mass merchandise stores, drug stores, and club stores all over the country. Although we would like each of our products to be available in all stores, shelf space and consumer demand sometimes limit the number of items a retailer is willing to carry. If you are having trouble finding a GHB product, please try our item locator which can help you locate a nearby store:

Breyers
Good Humor
Klondike
Popsicle
Slim-a-Bear

Price of Ice Cream:
We do not set the price at which the stores will sell the product for; each store determines what price they need to charge for the product. As the manufacturer, we sell to distributors who in turn sell to the stores.

Popsicle Sticks – What are they made from?:
Popsicle pop sticks are made from the wood of Birch trees.

Popsicles - Why not make one flavor packs?:
We have found that people enjoy multiple flavors in one package. Multiple flavors in one package also enables us to offer the widest variety of flavors.

Publically Traded?:
Unilever Ice Cream’s two parent companies, Unilever N.V. and Unilever PLC, are publicly traded. Unilever PLC shares are listed on the London Stock Exchange and in New York as American Depositary Receipts. Unilever N.V. shares or certificates (depository receipts) are listed on the stock exchanges in Amsterdam, Frankfurt, Zurich and as New York shares on the New York Stock Exchange. Follow the links to see the latest NV and PLC share prices. Use the charting tool to look at the historic performance of the share. www.unilever.com/ourcompany/investorcentre/share_price/

Recycling and the Environment:
Because we recognize the importance of preserving natural resources, Good Humor/Breyers and Unilever are engaged in a series of programs designed to address a number of issues concerning the environment. These issues range from biodegradability to recycling. Our company actively participates in industry-wide coalitions and trade associations that are working toward solutions to solid waste problems. We have established a center devoted entirely to the development and testing of new packaging materials and concepts. Company efforts to reduce solid waste include recycling projects, packages that can be recycled and use of recycled materials. Our scientists are also conducting studies on a broad range of product formulas and ingredients to ensure their environmental compatibility.

Restoring GH trucks:
Meadowbrook Ice Cream Co., Inc., in Rochester Hills, Mich., has original component parts available for Good Humor ice cream trucks. They also specialize in original Good Humor Man uniform accessories. Contact Fred Mehrpay at (248) 853-5070 or fax (248) 853-5071.

Sponsorships:
We receive many requests for assistance. We appreciate your interest in our brands. At this time we are not pursuing sponsorship opportunities. We commend your efforts, and extend our best wishes for the success of your endeavors.

Sticks - Riddles:
The jokes on our sticks are developed by a talented group of writers. We try to come up with jokes that young and old will find humorous.

Sugar Alcohols:
Sugar alcohols are forms of natural sugars. Examples are orbitol, sorbitol and xylitol. They are absorbed or metabolized to glucose more slowly than other sugars. For this reason, sugar alcohols provide about the same level of sweetness as sucrose and other sugars but contain fewer calories. The alcohol form of sucrose (table sugar) is sorbitol. Sugar Alcohols are considered low-calorie sweeteners. Unlike sugar substitutes such as saccharine, aspartame (Equal) or acesulfame-k (Sunette), which are calorie-free, sugar alcohols contain two-thirds the calories of regular sugar - 2.6 calories versus 4 calories per gram. Because they contain calories, sugar alcohols may have an effect on your blood sugar. People with diabetes need to control their intake of both carbohydrates (including sugar alcohols) and calories to effectively manage blood sugar and weight.

Tamper Bands – Are they recyclable?:
The plastic tamper bands on Breyers ice cream packages can be recycled. They are made from PVC and fall under the recycle symbol #3. If the recycling program in your local area accepts #3 plastic then the Breyers tamper bands can be recycled.

Trans Fat:
We value our consumers interest in the attention that trans fatty acids has been given. While we have successfully reformulated a majority of our products to meet the expectations of our consumers, we have limited products that still have some trans fatty acids. This information is clearly stated on the label. We will continue to reduce the levels of trans fatty acids in our ice cream products while maintaining their great taste.

Twin Pop – When was this invented?:
The Twin Popsicle pop was created during The Great Depression so two children could share a Popsicle ice pop for just a nickel.

Unilever’s Mission Statement:
Unilever Ice Cream uses the same mission statement as our parent company, Unilever. Unilever is one of the world’s largest consumer products companies. It produces and markets a wide range of food and home and personal care products with the mission of “helping people feel good, look good and get more out of life”.

Vegetarian – Can I eat your products?:
Of course all ice cream is made with dairy (milk from cows) and some products contain eggs (French Vanilla). Other than dairy and egg, to the best of our knowledge there are no other ingredients that are from animal sources in the Breyers ice cream line. Some frozen novelty items do contain gelatin, which is beef or pork derived, so it is always wise to read the list of ingredients.

What is the best way to store products?:

When did National Ice Cream month start?:
President Ronald Reagan declared July “National Ice Cream Month” in 1984. July is also the month in which the most ice cream is sold. [Source: Eating It Up; Ice Cream Sales and Usage Trends, 2001, International Dairy Foods Association]

Where is the product made?:
Good Humor-Breyers products are manufactured at plants in: Framingham, Massachusetts; Huntington, Indiana; Henderson, Nevada; Sikeston, Missouri; Hagerstown, Maryland; and Clearwater, Florida.

Whey – Where does it come from?:
We use a sweet whey which comes from specific natural cheeses. It is produced by an enzyme called rennet which comes from cows.