[gf4life]

Hi everyone, I have contacted General Mills, Kellogg's, and Kraft/Nabisco about their fruit snacks. My kids don't want to have to give them up, and I know that General Mills Fruit Roll Ups are gluten and casein free. But does any one know about the others? Those are the brands that my kids eat regularly and that is the one treat they are allowed daily, since I limit their candy consumption. I am now looking at putting the extras into a pinata at my daughters b-day party next month, and telling my kids not to grab any of them. They are doing well on the switch over to the gluten free and dairy free lifestyle. My boys informed their sunday school teacher that they could not eat any cookies or crackers unless mom send them , and that they had to save the candy until after church so mom could check if it was safe. I'm so proud of them. Even my 4 year old daughter did not eat the cookie's at the snack time!

If you know if any of these fruit snacks are safe, please let me know.

God bless,
Mariann

[gf4life]

I got a response from Kellogg's.

Thank you for contacting Kellogg Company regarding our Kellogg's®
Disney™ Fruit Snacks product line. We appreciate your time in
contacting us.

At Kellogg Company, we understand and share the concerns expressed by
consumers who are affected by food allergies. Kellogg has been one of the
leaders in the food industry in devising manufacturing processes to reduce
the risk of allergens from contaminating allergen-free products. We have
worked extensively with allergy organizations and research groups so that
we understand the seriousness and complexities of food allergies.

Currently, our Kellogg's® Disney™ Fruit Snacks are gluten free.
However, because product formulations can change at any time, we encourage
our consumers to check the ingredient statement on each package they
intend to purchase, every time they shop. The Nutrition Facts on each
package will contain the most up-to-date information regarding the
ingredients contained in that product.

If you have any further questions or want to discuss this matter further,
please feel free to contact our Consumer Affairs toll-free line at
1-800-962-0052. Our toll-free line is open between the hours of 8 am to
4:30 pm Eastern Time, Monday through Friday.

We appreciate your interest in our company and products.

Steve Redmond
Consumer Affairs
Kellogg Company

005957493A

Kellogg North America
PO Box CAMB
Battle Creek, MI 49016-1986

Kraft and General Mills will get back to me later according to their computer generated responses.

God bless,
Mariann

[plantime]

I emailed General Mills about the modified food starch in the Lucky Charms cereal, and was told that General Mills specifies in the ingredients list any gluten-containing product used in their products. If it does not say wheat, barley, or rye, it is gluten-free. They are trying to accomodate us!

[gf4life]

This is the response I got from General Mills. it pretty much backs up what you said Dessa!

Thank you for contacting General Mills regarding gluten in General Mills products.

It is our primary goal to help our consumers determine whether or not they can include our products in their diet. To accurately accomplish this, we believe it is best to refer to the specific ingredients listed on each product package.

However, we do understand that ingredients can be confusing, so we want to assure you if the ingredient label does not list wheat, barley, rye, oats or other sources of gluten, then the product would be gluten-free. Sources of gluten are listed on the label even if the source of gluten is part of another ingredient (such as flavoring or spice). Because ingredients may vary from one package to another due to product reformulation, you should use the product’s ingredient label to provide you with current and accurate information.

Additional information regarding gluten may be obtained by contacting your health care professional or:

Celiac Sprue Association/United States of America, Inc.
PO Box 31700
Omaha, NE 68131-0700
402-558-0600
www.csaceliacs.org

We hope this information is helpful.

Sincerely,

Melissa Clooney

General Mills
Consumer Services

God bless,
Mariann

[plantime]

I am glad to see that they are being consistant! I am also glad to have the assurance from them. I got the same response from Con-Agra, in regards to ALL Con-Agra brands. Now I know that I can just check the labels on certain brands. I called Quaker about their oats, and was told that they are processed on a dedicated line. I can't control, and neither can they, field contamination, so I let God handle that part!

[kejohe]

I buy the "Flat Fruit" from Treetop for my son, it's 100% fruit and gives him a full serving a fruits per bar. He is also a very picky eater, but seems to love them. They also make a snack bar called "Fruit & Veggie" it's also 100% fruit/veg and gives them 2 servings of fruit & 1 serving of veg per bar.

[gf4life]

Kathleen,

Where do you get the "flat fruit"? I would like to get the real fruit bars since they are healthier, and Costco used to sell then, but they stopped a few years back. I can usually only find them in healthfood stores now and they are very pricey. With three kids (who want to eat them everyday) I can't afford $.50(and up) each. That would be around $50.00 a month just for fruit snacks! I'll keep looking for ones in bulk. If you know of anywhere online that sells them please let me know.

God bless,
Mariann

[Ruth]

I have found that the Betty Crocker brand fruit snacks (a Kraft brand) are also gluten-free. Kraft will list any gluten containing ingredients on their ingredient list as well.
Has any one heard if the Brach's brand are gluten-free? I have not had success in getting a reply from them.

[gf4life]

Hi Ruth,

I heard that not all Brachs brands are gluten-free (but this is not confirmed), and since my kids don't like the taste/texture of them I just avoid all of them anyhow.

God bless,
Mariann

[mario]

I'm just waiting for a phone call from them but, I'm convinced they are gluten-free..

http://www.sunrype.com/

[hillary_henry@yahoo.com]

My daughter loves fruit roll-ups I remember reading some wher that fruit roll-ups are gluten-free but I dont remember reading a brand are all fruit roll-ups gluten-free?

[plantime]

Did any of you know that you can make your own fruit roll-ups? You need a food dehydrator, some cheesecloth, and your favorite fruit. My recipe says to mash up your fruit, removing skins and seeds, spread it on the cheesecloth about 1/4 inch thick, and put it in the dehydrator until it is a rubbery consistency. I haven't tried it yet, my dehydrator got dropped and shattered, but I will when I get a new one! It sounds like a delicious carry-along snack!

[kejohe]

Mariann,

Sorry it has taken me so long to get back to you on where I buy the flat fruit. You might try the Treetop website and see if they'll ship it in bulk. I buy mine at my local grocery store, in the same area as fresh produce, but your right, they are pricy, I pay 49 cents a piece, but luckily, I only have one child to feed, so it's nbot so bad.

Regarding making your own fruit leather, it is very easy and you don't need a dehydrator, you can use your oven on it's absolute lowest heat setting, and it's very time consuming, but yummy.

Heres a recipe:
1 to 2 # favorite fruit, peeled & seeded
1 to 2 Tbs lemon juice (this is essential to denature the protiens in the fruit & help release the moisture, it's not for flavor so you only need a little)
sugar to taste

You need to puree the fruit in a foor processor till it's smooth. Add lemon juice and sugar. Spread in a thin layer on a sheet pan that has been lined with parchment paper and bake at the lowest heat setting in your oven for several hours, or until leathery. Cool and cut into strips or tear apart and enjoy.

I made some with peaches not to long ago, and it cooked for about 5 hours. your time will vary depending on the water content of your fruit and how thick you spread it in your pan. Things like apples, pears & grapes with thinner skins don't need to be peeled, the skins puree nicely in the food processor, but obviously peaches, nectarines, bananas and such do.

Hope you enjoy!

[gf4life]

I have made real fruit roll-ups in my dehydrator before, but it takes so long and they are gone so fast. With the cost of electricity (and gas for the stove!) I figured it would cost about the same and be easier to buy them.

Thanks Kathleen, I'll check out the Treetop site.

God bless,
Mariann

[charliesmom]

Just following up on this -has anyone's kids reacted to fruit snacks of any kind? Mine has had a bunch of kelloggs ones and I am curious.