Celiac disease is an autoimmune disorder that causes damage to the small intestine when gluten is ingested. Gluten is a protein found in wheat, barley and rye. When someone with celiac disease eats gluten, their immune system responds by attacking the small intestine and inhibiting the absorption of important nutrients into the body. This can cause symptoms like diarrhea, abdominal pain, bloating, constipation, vomiting and fatigue. The only treatment for celiac disease is adhering to a strict gluten-free diet. This means avoiding any foods or products that contain gluten.
For those with celiac disease, eating out and finding gluten-free menu options can be challenging. A popular fast food chain like Sonic Drive-In has a variety of ice cream flavors and treats. But are these ice cream products safe for those with celiac disease? Let’s take a look at what ingredients Sonic uses in their ice cream and see if there are any gluten-containing ingredients.
What Ingredients Are in Sonic Ice Cream?
According to Sonic’s website, their classic Real Ice Cream is made with just five simple ingredients: milk, cream, sugar, egg yolks and natural flavor. Sonic also has a lineup of Blasts, which are Real Ice Cream blended with candy, cookies or fruit flavors. These Blasts contain ingredients like chocolate or strawberry syrup and cookie pieces or candy bits, in addition to the Real Ice Cream base.
When scanning the ingredients lists of Sonic’s ice cream flavors and Blasts, two concerning ingredients pop up for those with celiac disease – cookie pieces and brownie pieces. Many cookies and brownies contain gluten, so ice cream with these mix-in pieces would not be safe for someone with celiac disease.
Outside of those two ingredients, the majority of Sonic’s ice cream flavors and Blasts appear to be gluten-free and celiac safe based on the ingredient lists. But it’s always best to inquire directly with the company about their production processes and possibility of cross-contamination.
Are the Production Processes Gluten-Free?
I contacted Sonic’s customer service department to ask about their ice cream production processes and possibility of cross-contamination. Here is the information they provided:
– The classic Real Ice Cream base is produced in a dedicated gluten-free facility.
– The Blasts with added candy, syrups and fruit come from facilities that also process gluten ingredients. However, Sonic stated their allergen protocols are followed to prevent cross-contact.
– The Blasts with cookie or brownie pieces contain gluten from those ingredients. They warned it is likely other ice cream could be cross-contaminated during the blending process.
– Employess use dedicated equipment and utensils when preparing the Real Ice Cream. However, the same equipment is used for all Blast flavors. Proper cleaning protocols are followed but there is still a risk of cross-contamination.
Based on this information, the classic Real Ice Cream flavors seem to be the safest bet for celiac diners, since they are made in a dedicated facility. However, there is still some risk of cross-contamination during storage and scooping. The Blasts with added candy or fruit may be tolerable for those less sensitive, but there is some risk due to shared equipment. And Blasts with cookie or brownie pieces should definitely be avoided.
Tips for Ordering Celiac Safe Ice Cream at Sonic
If you need to follow a gluten-free or celiac diet, here are some tips for ordering ice cream at Sonic Drive-In locations:
– Stick to the classic Real Ice Cream flavors like Vanilla, Chocolate, Strawberry or Spiked Lemonade. Avoid Blasts with cookie or brownie pieces.
– Ask for your ice cream to be served in a cup with a lid rather than a cone, since cones likely have cross-contact from wheat-based cones.
– Request a fresh bowl and scoop from the back that has not been used to scoop cookie or brownie pieces.
– Ask them to wipe down the ice cream counter before preparing your order.
– Avoid ice cream cakes, since other ingredients like cookie crumbles and icing likely contain gluten.
– Check the allergen menu for the current ingredient information and production details.
– Call ahead to your local Sonic to ask about their training protocols for gluten-free orders. Ensure they are familiar with celiac safe practices.
– If you are highly sensitive, it may be safest to skip Sonic ice cream altogether and choose a dedicated gluten-free ice cream shop instead.
Reviews of Celiacs Who Have Tried Sonic Ice Cream
To get an idea of real world experiences, I searched for online reviews from celiacs who have eaten Sonic ice cream. Here is what some of them had to say:
Sarah L. wrote:
“I stick to the Real Ice Cream only since those are made separately. I ask them to clean the spoon first and use a new bowl. I’ve eaten it this way several times with no issues.”
Mark W. wrote:
“I ordered a Blast with Reese’s pieces and had no reaction. But when I tried one with brownies, I definitely got glutened. Stick to plain ice cream or Blasts without gluten ingredients.”
Lindsey C. wrote:
“I used to eat it but after getting glutened a couple times, I realized it just wasn’t worth the risk. There are too many opportunities for cross-contact at a fast food place like Sonic.”
Amy V. wrote:
“I won’t even bother trying it. Their employees likely aren’t well-trained on allergens and cross-contamination. I don’t trust that shared equipment so I just get dessert elsewhere.”
Are There Any Certified Gluten-Free Sonic Menu Items?
In my research, I could not find any certification indicating Sonic offers certified gluten-free menu items. Their allergen menu states items may contain gluten from cross-contact. Sonic does not claim to have any gluten-free certified menu items.
Some fast food chains like Burger King, Wendy’s and Dairy Queen have started rolling out gluten-free bun options after receiving certification through organizations like GFCO (Gluten Free Certification Organization). But Sonic has not pursued this type of third-party certification for any menu offerings.
For those with celiac disease, it’s generally safer to choose restaurants with certified gluten-free menus, since they adhere to strict standards to avoid cross-contamination. Unfortunately, a fast food chain like Sonic has too high of a risk of cross-contact for certification.
Should You Eat Sonic Ice Cream With Celiac Disease?
After reviewing Sonic’s ingredients, production details and customer reviews, here is my verdict on whether their ice cream is celiac safe:
The classic Real Ice Cream flavors seem low risk for most when ordered carefully. But there is still some risk of cross-contamination from shared scoops and storage. The Blasts with candy or fruit are riskier due to shared equipment. And Blasts with cookies or brownies are not safe at all.
In general, I would not consider Sonic Drive-In a safe option for those with celiac disease and high sensitivity. Their kitchen is not setup to prevent cross-contamination as diligently as a dedicated gluten-free facility.
However, some celiacs who are less sensitive may be comfortable with the small risk posed by Real Ice Cream in a bowl or cup. This is a personal choice depending on your history of reactions and sensitivity level.
For kids with celiac disease, Sonic ice cream is not the best choice. Children tend to be more sensitive and you don’t want to take risks with their diet and growth. Going to a trusted gluten-free ice cream shop is a safer family option.
Overall, the best approach is to consider Sonic Drive-In high risk. Proceed with caution and ask plenty of questions to inform your own judgment. For those who must strictly avoid any gluten, it may be wisest to choose another restaurant for ice cream. Weigh the risks and make the best decision for your individual celiac needs.
The Bottom Line
Is Sonic ice cream celiac safe? The answer depends on your sensitivity level and which item you order. Classic Real Ice Cream seems low risk when ordered carefully. But Blasts, especially those with gluten ingredients like cookies, are not recommended for celiacs. In general, Sonic Drive-In has a high likelihood of cross-contamination compared to dedicated gluten-free facilities. Those with celiac disease need to weigh the risks and decide if indulging in Sonic ice cream is worth the potential consequences. Being informed and asking questions is key to making the safest choice. When in doubt, opting for a trusted gluten-free ice cream shop is your best bet.
