FAQs

No, we do not add Inulins to any of our products.

Inulins are a group of naturally occurring (plant-derived) polysaccharides.  They are found in many groups of plants, including chicory, leeks, asparagus, onions, garlic and artichokes.  Inulins are not digested in the upper gastrointestinal tract and are classified as soluble dietary fibre.  Due to their value as dietary fibre, as well as to a variety of claimed health benefits in respect of their role in nourishing good bacteria in the large bowel, inulins are increasingly being added to processed foods.  They are also touted as an excellent way of increasing the dietary fibre and health benefits of gluten free products, including bread.  Under a 2001 ruling by ANZFA (the Australian and New Zealand Food Authority), it is not necessary to declare the presence of Inulins specifically in processed foods – they may be declared generically as “dietary fibre”.

Despite their claimed health benefits, however, Inulins are fructans – long chain fructose molecules.  As such, they cause adverse reactions in people suffering from Fructose Malabsorption Allergies.  Additionally, there is much anecdotal information available which suggests that consumption of inulins may also nourish less desirable gut bacteria and may encourage overgrowth of Candida Albicans (commonly known as a “yeast infection”).

Where possible, we ensure that our products are safe for people with Fructose Malabsorption Allergies.  For this reason we do not add inulins to any of our products.

In making the fillings for our Apple Tarts and our Apricot Tarts we stew the fruit with dextrose monohydrate (commonly called glucose).  During the cooking process the excess fructose in the fruit bonds with the dextrose monohydrate, creating a sugar molecule (sucrose) which still tastes sweet but which will not provoke an allergic reaction in a person who suffers from a Fructose Malabsorption Allergy.  Hence the Apple Tart and the Apricot Tart are “Fructose Friendly™”.

Please note that we do not employ this technique in manufacturing the Apple & Plum Crumble Tart and this product is definitely not safe for consumption by people who suffer from Fructose Malabsorption Allergies.

The fructose in an onion is contained within the flesh of the onion, not within its juices.  If you make a stock from onions where 100% of the onion flesh is removed, that stock will be “Fructose Friendly™”, in that it does not contain fructans or an unbalanced fructose/glucose load and, as such, will not produce an allergic reaction in a person who suffers from a Fructose Malabsorption Allergy.

“Fructose Friendly™” is the term used by Silly Yak Foods to denote those products in our range which are safe for people with Fructose Malabsorption Allergies.

Yes, we do!  A significant proportion of our product range is safe for people with Fructose Malabsorption Allergies.  For further details, including a full list of products which are Fructose Friendly™, see our Product Feature on Fructose Malabsorption Allergies.