Rita’s Italian Ice is a popular frozen treat that is enjoyed by many during the warm summer months. With flavors like mango, cherry, and lemon, Rita’s icy treats provide a cool, sweet relief from the heat. But for those with dairy allergies or who follow a vegan diet, an important question arises: Does Rita’s Italian Ice actually contain dairy?
The Short Answer
The short answer is: Most flavors of Rita’s Italian Ice are dairy-free, but some varieties do contain small amounts of milk or whey. Rita’s uses real dairy products to achieve the creamy, custard-like texture in flavors like custard, gelati, and custard-based specialty flavors. However, their classic fruit ices are generally made without any dairy ingredients.
Examining the Ingredients
To get a more thorough answer, we need to take a closer look at the ingredients used to make Rita’s Italian Ice. According to the company, these are the key points regarding dairy in their frozen treats:
- Fruit Ices – The basic fruit flavors like lemon, mango, cherry, and watermelon are made with fruit, water, and sugar. They do not contain milk, cream, or other dairy ingredients.
- Gelati – Gelati flavors are made by blending fruit ice with soft-serve ice cream. This means they contain milk and cream and are not dairy-free.
- Custard Flavors – Custard ice flavors like vanilla bean and chocolate are made with custard mix containing milk and egg yolks. They also contain dairy.
- Non-Dairy Flavors – Certain flavors are made without dairy to be vegan-friendly, like chocolate chip cookie dough and cotton candy.
- Whipped Topping – The whipped cream topping offered contains dairy.
- Cookie Sandwiches – Some cookie sandwiches, like the Oreo® cookie version, contain dairy.
Ingredient Lists for Popular Flavors
Looking at the ingredient lists on Rita’s website for some of their most popular flavors also helps shed light on their dairy content:
Mango Fruit Ice
Ingredients: Mangos, Sugar, Water, Natural Flavors, Lemon Juice Concentrate, Fruit Juice Concentrate For Color, Guar Gum, Citric Acid.
Verdict: No dairy ingredients
Cherry Gelati
Ingredients: Cherries, Sugar, Milk, Cream, Corn Syrup, Whey, Natural and Artificial Flavors, Mono and Diglycerides, Guar Gum, Locust Bean Gum, Polysorbate 80, Carrageenan.
Verdict: Contains milk, cream, and whey – not dairy-free
Chocolate Custard Ice
Ingredients: Milk, Sugar, Corn Syrup, Whey, Cocoa, Egg Yolks, Natural and Artificial Flavors, Mono and Diglycerides, Guar Gum, Carrageenan.
Verdict: Contains milk, whey, and egg yolks – not dairy-free
Cotton Candy Ice
Ingredients: Sugar, Water, Natural and Artificial Flavors, Blue 1, Red 40.
Verdict: No dairy ingredients – dairy-free
Cross-Contact Considerations
It’s also worth noting that even flavors made without dairy ingredients are prepared in facilities and on equipment that also process milk-containing flavors. The company notes that cross-contact may occur during production. Those with severe dairy allergies may wish to exercise caution.
Vegan Flavors
For those following a vegan diet, Rita’s offers several non-dairy flavors that are made without milk, cream, eggs, or other animal products:
- Apple
- Blue Raspberry
- Cotton Candy
- Grape
- Mango
- Orange
- Peach
- Pineapple
- Raspberry
- Strawberry
- Watermelon
However, vegans would still need to avoid gelati and custard varieties as these contain dairy. It’s also important to note that Rita’s uses shared equipment for all flavors, so trace amounts of milk or eggs could be present due to cross-contact.
Nutrition Information
Looking at the nutrition facts can also provide some hints about dairy content:
| Flavor | Calories | Protein |
|---|---|---|
| Mango Fruit Ice (4 oz serving) | 80 | 0g |
| Wildberry Gelati (4 oz serving) | 120 | 2g |
| Vanilla Custard (4 oz serving) | 110 | 2g |
The fruit ice contains no protein, while gelati and custard show 2g per serving – indicating the presence of dairy ingredients like milk and whey. Again, some vegan flavors may show trace amounts of protein due to cross-contact.
What Employees Say
Speaking with Rita’s employees can provide further confirmation about dairy in the products. Here are some insights shared by staff members on Quora and Reddit:
“Most of our ices and mistos are dairy-free – with the exception of anything with gelati or custard in the title… Those contain dairy products like milk and whey. Our fruit flavors, though, are non-dairy.”
“If you’re vegan or dairy-free, stick to the classic fruit flavors without gelati or custard. Those are made with just fruit, sugar and water.”
“People always ask if there’s dairy in the fruit ice. There isn’t, unless you get a swirl with gelati or custard. Those have ice cream and custard mix.”
Contacting the Company
Finally, contacting Rita’s Italian Ice directly can provide definitive answers on whether a particular flavor contains dairy ingredients:
Rita’s Italian Ice
856-662-9457
[email protected]
The company maintains a frequently updated allergen information guide that outlines dairy content in detail for each flavor. Speaking with customer service staff can also help those with questions or concerns about dairy allergies or dietary restrictions.
The Bottom Line
In summary, most of Rita’s classic fruit ice flavors are dairy-free, while varieties like gelati and custard do contain milk, cream, whey or egg yolks. Vegan options are available, but cross-contact is possible. Checking with the company, examining ingredient lists and nutrition info, and speaking with employees can provide more details. Those with dairy issues should reach out to Rita’s directly to confirm whether a specific flavor meets their dietary needs.
