Hardbite Potato Chips gluten-free?

[gabby]

Hi,

I noticed that Hardbite Potato CHips, natural flavor, have been causing me to get very very sick lately. I noticed that they changed their packaging somewhat, and am wondering if they've changed anything else. I have written to the company to find out if they are processing the chips in a facility that is not gluten free. If this is the case, then I'll have to scratch them off my list forever I'll post their answer when I hear from them.

Those were the last chips I was able to tolerate. everything else eventually leads to a gluten episode (probably because every once in a while I get one of those bags that contains chips processed right after something containing gluten).

Sigh

Does anyone know of potato chips that are absolutely gluten free and are processed in a dedicated facility? If not...does anyone know how to make them at home?

thanks

Gabby

[Guest Viola]

Oh wow, I haven't had Hard Bite lately, but when I contacted them about a year ago they said they were all gluten free. I was actually looking for them today because we were stuck in Trail without lunch so I thought I would get them and Philly cheese for dipping. But couldn't find them.

Do let me know what they say! I sure don't want to buy them again if they have changed.

I have had Lays Staxx regular without any problems, but they aren't very good for dipping because they break easily.

[gabby]

Here's the answer I got from Hardbite:

This was my question:

Hi,

could you tell me if your hardbite potato chips, natural flavour, are processed on machinery that is a dedicated gluten-free facility? In otherwords, are the chips processed in a factory that processes gluten-containing products?

Here's the answer I got:

hi,

this facility only makes potato chips

thank you

Mr. Chip

This doesn't exactly answer my question...because I know that the flavouring can contain gluten. So I've written to them again asking for clarification on cross-contamination issues...I'll post the answer here.

As for getting the chips...just look up Hardbite on the internet, go to their site and they have a listing of locations and stores all over North America that carry their products.

Thanks

Gabby

[blueeyedmanda]

I know UTZ regular chips plus some of their flavored chips as well are gluten free. I eat them frequently and have no problems at all. The bag even says it is Gluten Free, I am not sure of whether or not it is a dedicated facility, I was excited to see their flavored products, BBQ, Sour Cream and Onion, Sour Cream and Cheddar, as Gluten Free. I was not always a junk food person but you always have cravings for things you cannot have. Hope this helps you.

[Felidae]

I normally only eat the plain Hardbite chips, but the store didn't have plain so I bought Jalapeno and Salt & Vinegar. I ate some of the Jalapeno and wasn't feeling too great. They have "spices" in the ingredients. I just looked at the ingredients of the Salt & Vinegar and it lists "malt vinegar." Oops, I guess I should have looked closer before I bough them. Luckily, I haven't opened the bag.

I sent Hardbite an e-mail inquiring details about their ingredients and if any of their "spices" contain gluten. I'll post the response when I get it.

[Felidae]

I normally only eat the plain Hardbite chips, but the store didn't have plain so I bought Jalapeno and Salt & Vinegar. I ate some of the Jalapeno and wasn't feeling too great. They have "spices" in the ingredients. I just looked at the ingredients of the Salt & Vinegar and it lists "malt vinegar." Oops, I guess I should have looked closer before I bough them. Luckily, I haven't opened the bag.

I sent Hardbite an e-mail inquiring details about their ingredients and if any of their "spices" contain gluten. I'll post the response when I get it.

Here is their response,

We only produce potato chips in this entire facility.

To be really safe, eat the Hardbite All Natural Chips.

Hardbite All Natural flavor has only Himalayan crystal salt as a spice.

No possible way of a cross contamination.

Our other chip flavors recipes do not contain gluten either, but our spice mixing supplier may use oat products for their other spice mix production, for example.

Oats, which are themselves gluten free, are often rotated with wheat crops in farming.

One cannot be too careful.

Thank you for supporting a local product !

From the Region for the Region

Sepp Amsler

President

NATURALLY HOMEGROWN FOODS

I'm okay with this response, except that he doesn't mention the malt vinegar in the Salt & Vinegar chips.

[gfp]

Here's the answer I got from Hardbite:

This was my question:

Hi,

could you tell me if your hardbite potato chips, natural flavour, are processed on machinery that is a dedicated gluten-free facility? In otherwords, are the chips processed in a factory that processes gluten-containing products?

Here's the answer I got:

hi,

this facility only makes potato chips

thank you

Mr. Chip

This doesn't exactly answer my question...because I know that the flavouring can contain gluten. So I've written to them again asking for clarification on cross-contamination issues...I'll post the answer here.

As for getting the chips...just look up Hardbite on the internet, go to their site and they have a listing of locations and stores all over North America that carry their products.

Thanks

Gabby

Perhaps it does....

Either they are being deliberatly obfusciating or they don't understand what gluten is....

Either way.... that largely answers if you want to trust them...

Hardbite All Natural flavor has only Himalayan crystal salt as a spice.

No possible way of a cross contamination.

Doesn't inspire me with confidence when taken with the oats statement.... AND the fact that if the production lines are mixed then obviously there is a risk of CC .. however that risk is much greater if they don't realise it....

To be really safe, eat the Hardbite All Natural Chips.

Really leads me to believe they don't really think gluten-free is a medical diet not a choice.... this sounds like an answer to someone who asked if their chips were vegan....

just my 2c....

[Guhlia]

Gibbles chips are made in a gluten free factory. I eat them all the time and have never had a problem.

[Felidae]

Perhaps it does....

Either they are being deliberatly obfusciating or they don't understand what gluten is....

Either way.... that largely answers if you want to trust them...

Doesn't inspire me with confidence when taken with the oats statement.... AND the fact that if the production lines are mixed then obviously there is a risk of CC .. however that risk is much greater if they don't realise it....

Really leads me to believe they don't really think gluten-free is a medical diet not a choice.... this sounds like an answer to someone who asked if their chips were vegan....

just my 2c....

There is a approximately a one year time span between the two company e-mails. Things have changed which is why I reposted this with the new response.

I don't think Gibble is available up here where I live.

[Robynhood]

It used to say Gluten Free on their package, it doesnt anymore... I wonder if this is because they cant make that claim anymore?

Think I will stick to Lay's plain, at least I know they are gluten free..

[psawyer]

It used to say Gluten Free on their package, it doesnt anymore... I wonder if this is because they cant make that claim anymore?

Think I will stick to Lay's plain, at least I know they are gluten free..

Or maybe because the term "gluten-free" was not regulated in the past. The FDA will soon introduce regulations for this term. The rules may be restrictive, and may not allow the term "gluten free" on things that, in fact, are gluten free.

In Canada, the "gluten free" label is regulated. Any product so labeled must, in fact, be gluten free. But that is not enough. It is considered misleading if the "gluten free" label is applied to any product that is inherently gluten free. That is, the "gluten free" attribute must be a legitimate distinguishing factor for that product when compared to other similar products. Bread, cookies, pasta and flour can be labeled as gluten free. Milk, eggs, bananas, potatoes, tea, coffee, sugar, and hundreds of similar products can not, unless the label first makes it clear that ALL <<descriptor>> is/are inherently gluten free. You can't say "gluten free cornstarch," but you can say that "like all cornstarch, ours is gluten free."

Similar rules exist in Europe, although the details vary.

US rules are coming. Until we know what they will be, manufacturers may be reluctant to use the words "gluten free" on their packages. I know that I would be.

ALSO: This thread was started two and one-half years ago, and then revived over a year ago. Some information may be out of date, so use care!