[Lisa16]

I asked them which of their prosucts are gluten-free and, in particular, asked about their white miso soup mix which looks okay, but which is not labelled gluten-free. Here is what I got back:

Dear Ms. Lisa
Thank you kindly for your E-mail and inquiry. I am not sure which product you are referring to, but if you are referring our 'Mitoku Mellow White Instant Miso Soup', it shares the same production line as products using gulten. Even with the most careful processing, we are not guaranteeing the zero cross contamination of gulten for the products we sell.

One's condition and allergic reactions to foods vary. Like you have mentioned, there are those who suffer for days afterwards with even a trace of gluten, we are not comfortable to market any of our products as 'gluten free' since none of our products are made in gluten free facilities. Except a very few seaweed facilities process only seaweeds. Though there are proper cleaning procedures in place.

We are very sorry but we do not have gluten free facilities made products. We do not feel comfortable for calling gluten free even when we test random samples and the result is below the Japan or European regulations.

However there are those who are wheat intolerant, and we try to put 'wheat free' for products whenever applicable. So that they can enjoy it. For example, regular soy sauce contains wheat, but Yaemon Tamari does not use wheat in the ingredients. So we have label saying 'wheat free soy sauce', but it uses a very small amount of barley, so we list a trace of barley in the ingredients. To help those who are wheat intolerant and thinking to give up soy sauce, still can enjoy our Yaemon Tamari. Of course, this does not apply to those who cannot have gluten all together, I am sorry.

We try to make the high quality foods to be enjoyed, and perhaps adding choices to one's healthy diet. But unfortunately, as other foods, they are not for all people.

Thank you.
Sincerely,
Tomoko / Customer Service
Mitoku Co., Ltd.
Tokyo 108-0014, Japan
Specializing in Authentic Japanese Products Since 1969
www.mitoku.com

[kenlove]

Thanks Lisa,
Interesting that they would reply. I have a few meetings in Japan next month at the food show to get a better understanding of what they are thinking about for the future. I know the president of San-J in Nagoya and going to try to convince him to do some more gluten-free products. This food show i'll be it called Foodex, is hugh.8 football field size exhibition halls.
take care
Ken

Lisa16, on Feb 15 2008, 04:27 AM, said:

I asked them which of their prosucts are gluten-free and, in particular, asked about their white miso soup mix which looks okay, but which is not labelled gluten-free. Here is what I got back:

Dear Ms. Lisa
Thank you kindly for your E-mail and inquiry. I am not sure which product you are referring to, but if you are referring our 'Mitoku Mellow White Instant Miso Soup', it shares the same production line as products using gulten. Even with the most careful processing, we are not guaranteeing the zero cross contamination of gulten for the products we sell.

One's condition and allergic reactions to foods vary. Like you have mentioned, there are those who suffer for days afterwards with even a trace of gluten, we are not comfortable to market any of our products as 'gluten free' since none of our products are made in gluten free facilities. Except a very few seaweed facilities process only seaweeds. Though there are proper cleaning procedures in place.

We are very sorry but we do not have gluten free facilities made products. We do not feel comfortable for calling gluten free even when we test random samples and the result is below the Japan or European regulations.

However there are those who are wheat intolerant, and we try to put 'wheat free' for products whenever applicable. So that they can enjoy it. For example, regular soy sauce contains wheat, but Yaemon Tamari does not use wheat in the ingredients. So we have label saying 'wheat free soy sauce', but it uses a very small amount of barley, so we list a trace of barley in the ingredients. To help those who are wheat intolerant and thinking to give up soy sauce, still can enjoy our Yaemon Tamari. Of course, this does not apply to those who cannot have gluten all together, I am sorry.

We try to make the high quality foods to be enjoyed, and perhaps adding choices to one's healthy diet. But unfortunately, as other foods, they are not for all people.

Thank you.
Sincerely,
Tomoko / Customer Service
Mitoku Co., Ltd.
Tokyo 108-0014, Japan
Specializing in Authentic Japanese Products Since 1969
www.mitoku.com