Kraft, Conagra, Unilever

[Lisa]

Yeah, you gotta work with the companies who work well with the community.

Bottom line is you have to learn to read labels. Trust the companies who will clearly disclose and deal with that.

You are one of many, but not one to demand exclusion. ALWAYS be polite, take an opportunity to kindly educate and pave a soft path for those who will come behind you.

[jerseyangel]

I decided to contact Unilever. Here is what I sent: "I have been diagnosed with celiac disease. I need to avoid products with wheat, barley and rye, including any derivatives of these. I am wondering if your label will identify if any of these ingredients are used in your products. For example, if Barley Malt is used, will it be labeled as "barley malt" vs just malt or natural flavoring? I am happy to read your labels to learn which products are safe for me to consume if I know your labels will tell me everything I need to know. Thank you for your response."

I will let you know if/when I get a response.

Great email--all I ask of a company is that they clearly disclose any gluten on the label so I can make a decision as to whether I want to consume it or not.

[MelindaLee]

I decided to contact Unilever. Here is what I sent: "I have been diagnosed with celiac disease. I need to avoid products with wheat, barley and rye, including any derivatives of these. I am wondering if your label will identify if any of these ingredients are used in your products. For example, if Barley Malt is used, will it be labeled as "barley malt" vs just malt or natural flavoring? I am happy to read your labels to learn which products are safe for me to consume if I know your labels will tell me everything I need to know. Thank you for your response."

I will let you know if/when I get a response.

Here is the response I got:

Thank you for writing us regarding Unilever .

Common ingredients that may contain gluten are rye, wheat, oats and barley, and noodles and pasta prepared with any of the previously mentioned grains. HVP, TVP, flavorings, are likely to contribute gluten as well, however, if they contain any gluten, the source would always be listed in the ingredient statements.

Since product formulations change from time to time, we do not have a printed list of products that identifies those products that contain specific allergens or gluten. The best advice we can give you is to check the ingredient list on the label. Ingredients allergens as defined by FDA: peanuts, tree nuts, soy, fish, seafood, wheat, eggs, and milk or dairy, as well as any ingredient that may contain gluten are always listed on the label.

Therefore, WE SUGGEST READING ALL INGREDIENT LABELS CAREFULLY.

We hope this information is helpful!

Sincerely,

Your friends at Unilever

Sounds like they will label items if they come from wheat, rye, barley and oats. I wish they were a little more warm and fuzzy...

[jerseyangel]

Here is the response I got:

Thank you for writing us regarding Unilever .

Common ingredients that may contain gluten are rye, wheat, oats and barley, and noodles and pasta prepared with any of the previously mentioned grains. HVP, TVP, flavorings, are likely to contribute gluten as well, however, if they contain any gluten, the source would always be listed in the ingredient statements.

Since product formulations change from time to time, we do not have a printed list of products that identifies those products that contain specific allergens or gluten. The best advice we can give you is to check the ingredient list on the label. Ingredients allergens as defined by FDA: peanuts, tree nuts, soy, fish, seafood, wheat, eggs, and milk or dairy, as well as any ingredient that may contain gluten are always listed on the label.

Therefore, WE SUGGEST READING ALL INGREDIENT LABELS CAREFULLY.

We hope this information is helpful!

Sincerely,

Your friends at Unilever

Sounds like they will label items if they come from wheat, rye, barley and oats. I wish they were a little more warm and fuzzy...

It's a good answer--and also a legal one.

[MelindaLee]

It's a good answer--and also a legal one.

I agree...it just sounds "cold" to me... I like warm & fuzzy..