Goya Product Surprise

[WinterSong]

I was at the NJ Gluten and Allergen Free Expo last weekend and spoke with a nutritional representative from Goya. I was surprised to hear that they only have a handful of products that are gluten free. I think only two or three of their canned bean variations were on their gluten-free list. She told me that they are going through a gluten-free certification process and are working on ensuring their products are truly gluten-free.

 

I asked her about canned chick peas, since that is the product of theirs that I use the most. Even though there is no mention of possible gluten/CC issues on the label, she said that there may be some cross contamination and to only get the low sodium chick peas for now. Then she said that if I wash/soak the regular chick peas really well, it would wash away traces of gluten. Then I was like 

 

I emailed her a few days ago to get more information, but so far I haven't heard back from her....Emailing someone else from the company now. I'll let you know....

[greenbeanie]

Thanks for this info. I used to eat Goya canned beans and cream of coconut all the time, and I stopped because of uncertainty about whether they were safe, but I'd love to go back to eating them if they are gluten free. Please do keep us posted if you find out more! I seem to recall finding a gluten-free list on their website at one point last year, but I can't find it again now. Maybe they changed it after the new FDA regulations went into effect? Anyhow, I'm glad they are checking things out, and I hope it turns out that their black beans and kidney beans are ok!

[LauraTX]

Hopefully the narrow list is just because they want to be certain, for now.  I saw their booth in one of the pics on a facebook post, and it had me wondering.  Perhaps they will get some more info out and the list will be larger, soon!

[WinterSong]

No word yet from Goya, but Stop and Shop has just told me that their chick peas are gluten free and made in a facility without wheat. Stop and Shop, here I come!

[WinterSong]

The Stop and Shop brand was on sale for 49 cents per can.....and I just bought 30. 

 

I called my mother because I knew she would get a kick out of my shopping adventure. "You have a studio apartment! Where are you going to put all of those!" she asked, to which I replied, "Anywhere I can! They were 49 cents!"

 

Still waiting to hear from Goya....

[LauraTX]

Where are you going to put all of those.... down your hatch?  LOL

[WinterSong]

Bottoms up! lol

[WinterSong]

After emailing both the woman I spoke to and the company again, I finally got a response:

Thank you for sending in your email and for your kind words. I am glad I was able to help you at the Gluten Free/Allergen Free Expo Sept 6 &7th.

As to the Goya Low sodium canned beans, Look for these 7 low sodium canned beans with the following imprints on the can:

ITEM# LOW SODIUM CANNED BEANS IMPRINT CODE

2330 Red Kidney LOW SODIUM NLSLRSB 15.5oz can

2331 Pink beans LOW SODIUM N LSPKM 15.5oz can

2332 Black Beans LOW SODIUM NLSTBSM 15.5oz can

2333 ChickPea Beans LOW SODIUM N LSPTO 15.5oz can

2334 Pinto beans LOW SODIUM N LSSWM 15.5oz can

2335 sml White Beans LOW SODIUM N LSSWM 15.5oz can

2345 Drk Red Kidney beans LOW SODIUM N LSDRKN 15.5oz can

These products are produced in Angola, NY which is a gluten free facility. Plus they have done testing on the products which have come back gluten free as to FDA specifications. The letter “N” stands for Angola.

That will help assure they are gluten free.

It was nice meeting you . I wish you much good health and happiness.

Regards,

Meriterese

MeriTerese Racanelli, M.S.,R&D Food Scientist/Nutritionist

Email: MeriTerese.Racanelli@Goya.com

CELL: (973)809-0373; Tel: (201)348-4900 ext 2210 ; Fax: (201)348-3004

GOYA FOODS, INC. 100 Seaview Drive Secaucus, NJ 07094

[poneelovesyou]

Wow, I didnt even think about if my canned beans had cross contamination. Good to know! Seems like even naturally gluten-free foods are contaminated these days.