Jump to content
This site uses cookies. Continued use is acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. More Info... ×
  • Welcome to Celiac.com!

    You have found your celiac tribe! Join us and ask questions in our forum, share your story, and connect with others.




  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A1):



    Celiac.com Sponsor (A1-M):


  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Celiac.com!
    eNewsletter
    Donate
  • Jefferson Adams
    Jefferson Adams

    General Mills Sued Over Recalled Gluten-free Cheerios

    Reviewed and edited by a celiac disease expert.
    General Mills Sued Over Recalled Gluten-free Cheerios - Photo: CC--Bryce Mohan
    Caption: Photo: CC--Bryce Mohan

    Celiac.com 12/09/2015 - Less than a month after General Mills announced a recall of nearly two million boxes of gluten-free Cheerios and Honey Nut Cheerios, the company is facing a class action lawsuit alleging it violated several consumer protection laws, and put consumers at risk.

    The complaint, filed in the eastern district of California on October 30 by plaintiffs Keri van Lengen and Deborah Nava against General Mills and Roxanne Ornelas (manufacturing manager at Gen Mill's Lodi plant), accuses General Mills of selling misbranded products; in this case, cereals advertised as gluten-free which actually contained gluten.

    Celiac.com Sponsor (A12):
    It adds: "Plaintiffs and Class Members have all suffered and will continue to suffer harm and damages as a result of Defendants' unlawful and wrongful conduct."

    For the company's part, it states in a blog post published on October 5, by Jim Murphy, senior vice president and president of the Cereal division at General Mills, that:

    "Our Lodi production facility lost rail service for a time and our gluten-free oat flour was being off-loaded from rail cars to trucks for delivery to our facility on the dates in question. In an isolated incident involving purely human error, wheat flour was inadvertently introduced into our gluten-free oat flour system at Lodi. That error resulted in an undeclared allergen – wheat – being present in products labeled as gluten free at levels above the FDA gluten-free standard."

    Murphy went on to reassure consumers that the company's oat supply was safe, and that their gluten-free flours are pure.

    The post goes on to assure consumers that the company "tested our oat supply on these dates – and the oat supply tested as gluten free. We also tested the specific oat flour being used at Lodi – and our oat flour supply also tested as gluten free on the dates in question."

    The post closes by noting that General Mills is testing all finished product…[and has] instituted additional flour handling protocols at all facilities to ensure this will not happen again.

    Stay tuned for new developments or related news on gluten-free products from Cheerios or General Mills.

    Source:

    • Open Original Shared Link


    User Feedback

    Recommended Comments



    Guest Ashley
    Our society is "lawsuit happy". Mistakes are made because we are human. General Mills acted quickly and took steps to fix the problem. This was not an intentional harmful act. If celiacs continue to bring lawsuits against companies (i.e. General Mills, PF Chang's), we will be limited again in our choices for gluten free products on the market. And YES, I am a celiac, as well as some of my family members!

    I would rather have limited choices that are safe and actually use gluten free oats than deal with someone who's in it for the money and the fad and end up getting sick and have to start the healing process all over again.

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites
    Guest admin
    I would rather have limited choices that are safe and actually use gluten free oats than deal with someone who's in it for the money and the fad and end up getting sick and have to start the healing process all over again.

    You are assuming that smaller companies can do this better than larger, publicly traded companies, which may not be the case.

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites
    Guest admin
    Cynthia is right about "using our buying power" when it comes to how and where we get our food. The real truth is that the food/agricultural companies are ruining our food. Monsanto is the biggest, most corrupt of all, including general mills. Monsanto controls over 90% of the world's seeds, yes they control what kind of seeds farmers plant in the ground. AND, if you think GMO is okay, then please understand a simple truth, "if insects and animals won't eat it, why would I??" And lastly, I wish the whole world knew that those "chem trails" in the sky are a result of Monsanto putting barium and aluminum into the atmosphere, in an effort to control the environment. What they do not realize is that they are what is killing all the bees. You never hear about that in the mainstream media outlets, but my friends, please know this "IF THE BEES GO, ALL PLANT AND ANIMAL/HUMANS WILL DIE OFF". Do you research, get some heirloom seeds and grow your own!!

    It is hard to take anyone who believes in chem trails seriously...

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites
    Guest admin
    My concern is that if wheat flour contaminated the line, how will they ever make sure the equipment is completely clean again? I doubt they would disassemble all of it and clean it sufficiently. No more cheerios for us (not that I was eating them, but my husband was - his sensitivity is not nearly as bad as mine)

    There is not wheat flour on their line. They've spend millions of dollars to upgrade their facilities to ensure their product is safe.

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites
    Guest Jim

    Mistakes are made. I'm now 20+ years of being gluten free and am so glad that so much progress has been made and tried by major brands.

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites
    Guest Roberta

    Posted

    I think litigation when companies take responsibility is unproductive. It will make companies less likely to try to bring new gluten free products safely to market.

    I agree. Damaging litigation for an isolated incident is the fastest vehicle to all these mainstream companies deciding we can go screw ourselves before they'll try to cater to us again.

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites
    Guest Irahappy1GF

    Posted

    There is a fine line between pushing companies too hard, being too exacting, so that we scare them away from selling gluten-free foods, and being exacting enough so that they are held accountable and realize how vital a strict gluten-free diet is for some of us.

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites
    Guest Laura
    I think litigation when companies take responsibility is unproductive. It will make companies less likely to try to bring new gluten free products safely to market.

    My main concern at this point is that my son and I both got very, very sick from a new box purchased last week, that was not part of the recall. It was by no means gluten free, while labeled as such. Not sure what to make of this experience based on this above comoay statement.

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites
    Guest Tim
    My concern is that if wheat flour contaminated the line, how will they ever make sure the equipment is completely clean again? I doubt they would disassemble all of it and clean it sufficiently. No more cheerios for us (not that I was eating them, but my husband was - his sensitivity is not nearly as bad as mine)

    It's not that hard to decontaminate the facility. You 're over exaggerating but if you feel that you can get contaminated, then don't eat Cheerios ever again.

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites
    Guest Tim
    Our society is "lawsuit happy". Mistakes are made because we are human. General Mills acted quickly and took steps to fix the problem. This was not an intentional harmful act. If celiacs continue to bring lawsuits against companies (i.e. General Mills, PF Chang's), we will be limited again in our choices for gluten free products on the market. And YES, I am a celiac, as well as some of my family members!

    I agree. Just another money hungry lawsuit with no merit. I hate lawyers. A few people ruin it for the rest. Thank you GM for making Cheerios G!!!!!!! These people probably look to sue for any reason. They probably sued another company before and hope to get money before litigation. Ambulance chasers.

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites
    Guest Tim
    Celiac disease patients should not allow any company to put a "gluten-free" label on products that are not really gluten-free.

    We want to avoid seeing more people ill or dead because of gluten ingestion. This is very serious and should be addressed no matter what. Celiac disease patients deserve respect and the companies that want to make money at the expense of celiac disease patients should know well what they are doing before launching any gluten-free product. This is not a game and nobody should be playing with people's health.

    It was a mistake not intentional and they corrected it. Stop degrading companies that try to assist gluten-free. And yes. FYI, companies try to make money if there is a need by consumers. So tell you what. Don't buy any gluten-free Food from any company. Make your own food.

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites
    Guest admin
    My main concern at this point is that my son and I both got very, very sick from a new box purchased last week, that was not part of the recall. It was by no means gluten free, while labeled as such. Not sure what to make of this experience based on this above comoay statement.

    Have you considered an oat intolerance, which does also affect some celiacs? If your box was not part of the recall I doubt it contained any gluten.

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites



    Create an account or sign in to comment

    You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

    Create an account

    Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

    Register a new account

    Sign in

    Already have an account? Sign in here.

    Sign In Now

  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Celiac.com:
    Donate
  • About Me

    Jefferson Adams

    Jefferson Adams is Celiac.com's senior writer and Digital Content Director. He earned his B.A. and M.F.A. at Arizona State University. His articles, essays, poems, stories and book reviews have appeared in numerous magazines, journals, and websites, including North American Project, Antioch Review, Caliban, Mississippi Review, Slate, and more. He is the author of more than 2,500 articles on celiac disease. His university coursework includes studies in science, scientific methodology, biology, anatomy, physiology, medicine, logic, and advanced research. He previously devised health and medical content for Colgate, Dove, Pfizer, Sharecare, Walgreens, and more. Jefferson has spoken about celiac disease to the media, including an appearance on the KQED radio show Forum, and is the editor of numerous books, including "Cereal Killers" by Scott Adams and Ron Hoggan, Ed.D.

    >VIEW ALL ARTICLES BY JEFFERSON ADAMS

     


  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A17):
    Celiac.com Sponsor (A17):





    Celiac.com Sponsors (A17-M):




  • Related Articles

    Jefferson Adams
    Celiac.com 01/23/2015 - This Superbowl Sunday gluten-free fans can celebrate with gluten-free Pizza Hut pizza, and, in a few lucky test markets, gluten-free Coors beer.
    You read right. First, Pizza Hut has announced that, starting Jan. 26, it will be debuting a gluten-free pizza in about 2,400 locations in the U.S. The new pizza will be a 10-inch, six-slice pizza, which will go for $9.99. The pizza crust will be made by popular gluten-free brand Udi’s Foods, and certified gluten-free by the Gluten Intolerance Group.
    Pizza Hut’s gluten-free pie will be one of the restaurant’s lowest-calorie pizzas, with about 100 fewer calories per serving than their current “Skinny Slice” pizza. 
    Every Pizza Hut Gluten-Free Pizza will be baked fresh-to-order on parchment paper and delivered in a speci...


    Jefferson Adams
    Celiac.com 02/25/2015 - General Mills has announced that original Cheerios, Honey Nut Cheerios and three other Cheerios varieties will undergo formula changes, including a switch to gluten-free oats, and will be released as a gluten-free cereal.
    The move by the food and cereal giant mirrors a similar recipe change that successfully boosted sales for its Chex brand, which has been gluten-free since 2010.
    The company will likely begin selling gluten-free versions in July, says Jim Murphy, president of Big G Cereals, General Mills' ready-to-eat cereal division.
    Apparently, General Mills felt that that could no longer ignore the skyrocketing sales of gluten-free foods, and the slow decline of foods that contain gluten, including breakfast cereals.
    "People are actually walking...


    Jefferson Adams
    Celiac.com 09/02/2015 - Cereal maker General Mills is pulling the plug on its Gluten Free Chex Oatmeal.
    A spokesperson for General Mills confirmed that the product has been discontinued due to low sales. The company says it will make its final shipments of the gluten-free oatmeal in October.
    This constitutes an ignoble end for a brand that made its official debut last year.
    Chex Gluten Free Oatmeal was available in original, apple cinnamon and maple brown sugar flavors, and made without artificial flavors, colors, preservatives or high fructose corn syrup.
    The decision to discontinue Gluten Free Chex Oatmeal comes amid controversy regarding General Mills methods of sorting oats for its new gluten-free Cheerios.
    What do you think? Are you sad? Or are...


    Jefferson Adams
    Celiac.com 09/07/2015 - Cereal maker General Mills is facing criticism from some people with celiac disease who say its gluten-free manufacturing practices are unsafe, unreliable, and leave them at risk for adverse gluten reactions.
    A number of celiac disease patients and others with gluten sensitivities are questioning the company's practice of removing wheat, rye and barley from standard oats, rather than sourcing actual gluten-free oats. General Mills' special method for sorting grains allegedly removes any wheat, barley and rye from the whole oats, before they are made into oat flour.
    A group called "Gluten Free Watchdog" has engaged General Mills regarding cross-contamination possibilities during the grain sorting and manufacturing process. The process used by General...


  • Recent Activity

    1. - trents replied to Aussienae's topic in Coping with Celiac Disease
      60

      Constant low back, abdominal and pelvic pain!

    2. - DjinnDjab replied to Aussienae's topic in Coping with Celiac Disease
      60

      Constant low back, abdominal and pelvic pain!

    3. - cristiana replied to Katiec123's topic in Celiac Disease Pre-Diagnosis, Testing & Symptoms
      17

      Finding out I’m coeliac whilst pregnant

    4. - Scott Adams replied to Ading69's topic in Traveling with Celiac Disease
      4

      Seeking Gluten-Free Advice for My Trip to South Korea!

    5. - JoeBlow posted a topic in Gluten-Free Foods, Products, Shopping & Medications
      0

      glutenfreedrugs.com


  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):



  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      121,193
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748

    Kmd2024
    Newest Member
    Kmd2024
    Joined

  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):


  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      120.3k
    • Total Posts
      1m

  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):





  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):



  • Popular Now

    • Nicola flaherty
      4
    • ItchyHell
      4
    • MMH13
      20
    • SuzanneL
      13
    • Moodiefoodie
  • Popular Articles

    • Scott Adams
    • Scott Adams
    • Scott Adams
    • Scott Adams
    • Scott Adams
  • Upcoming Events

×
×
  • Create New...