Do You Like Hershey's Bars?

[Mango04]

I agree that Hershey's is not blatantly doing anything wrong. However, the statement is poorly worded and clearly confusing since even we all have very conflicting opinions about it. Such statments might suggest to newly diagnosed or misinformed Celiacs that it is okay to intentionally ingest small amounts of gluten. We all probably agree that is not the case. Might as well bring it to their attention. The world is better off with one less confusing/potentially misleading statement about Celiac Disease anyway.

[Rachel--24]

Exactly. So if a whole company is under that mentality then how are we to be sure that anything from Hershey's is 100% safe?

Well....I don't know if we can be sure anything is 100% safe because even products labeled gluten-free can have minute amounts of gluten in them.

I don't think the company is doing anyhting wrong from a gluten standpoint. I dont really think it matters what their description of Celiac is.....as long as they take food allergy/intolerance matters seriously with regards to the lableling. It sounds like they do....so I wouldnt be too overly concerned about getting glutened just because their wording was a little off.

JMO

I agree with Mango....a newly diagnosed Celiac may read and think its ok to eat gluten in small amounts so maybe they should be made aware so that they can reword their statement to avoid confusion.

[junieb]

The only hershey's bar I will use is the Milk Chocolate 1.55 oz bar - it's made on it's own machinery - nothing else is run on there at all. According to them the plain kisses, syrup and baking cocoa are also safe. I will call on monday to re-check but I have a feeling the products that are supposed to be safe are. One of the definitions of celiac disease explains it as a "gluten intolerance," so they may be getting their wording from a source that we trust too. I also think the problem is more of semantics and less of product safety. That said, if enough of us call or write, I bet they will change the info on the website because the way it is stated sure doesn't make it sound as serious as it is, and we want their employees to know the facts (since they're the ones we're relying on to tell us if their products are safe)!

[Judyin Philly]

The only hershey's bar I will use is the Milk Chocolate 1.55 oz bar - it's made on it's own machinery - nothing else is run on there at all. According to them the plain kisses, syrup and baking cocoa are also safe. I will call on monday to re-check but I have a feeling the products that are supposed to be safe are. One of the definitions of celiac disease explains it as a "gluten intolerance," so they may be getting their wording from a source that we trust too. I also think the problem is more of semantics and less of product safety. That said, if enough of us call or write, I bet they will change the info on the website because the way it is stated sure doesn't make it sound as serious as it is, and we want their employees to know the facts (since they're the ones we're relying on to tell us if their products are safe)!

Ok-good point.

Peter you made good points too.

I'll make the choice for me..as we all have been trained on the forum to do.

I'm still sorry that the lady I talked too 'assured' me the kisses were gluten-free.

Thanks for the discussion folks. I aways learn something everday on here.

Vincent,,,keep those peanuts away from your lovely spouce

Have a great nite everyone.

Judy in Philly

[Felidae]

I think they are just trying to explain the difference to the general and sometimes uninformed public. And the fact is a true allergy can cause an anaphalaxis reaction (potentially life threatening) whereas an intolerance won't.

[Rusla]

I can say I will not be eating Hershey kisses again. The only thing I have had today besides tofu, and fruit is the 10 kisses. I have a DH outbreak going on.

[jenvan]

I agree with the camp that the info, IMO, is misleading. The are giving a definition of Celiac that is incorrect. If they are talking about a gluten intolerance, it could be different, but they say sprue. And they do not define the word "reacting." So, if they mean that some Celiacs can eat a small amount of gluten without experiencing a reaction/symptom, that's one thing. But they can not state that a Celiac can eat a small amount of gluten without having an (internal) reaction. And what is "small" supposed to mean? Hershey's is a huge company that makes millions and I think we can expect more from them, meaning correct and not "questionable" statements at best. They are a food company, not a medical research organization or an assoc. of doctors, so they should be very careful when they decide to define diseases or illnesses on their website. I am planning on calling on Monday and seeing what they say...

[blueeyedmanda]

I eat Hershey kisses all the time with no problems. I tend to be a sensitive celiac too. Last time I checked they were on the gluten free list. Their statement is poorly worded but like an above poster said noting is ever 100% look at Amy's who is making "gluten free" meals. They have been known to have contaminated food. They are specializing in diet restricted food. It doesnt hurt to call the company.

[jenvan]

For me this isn't a issue over contamination in Hershey, but an issue of spreading incorrect information via the web.

[Judyin Philly]

For me this isn't a issue over contamination in Hershey, but an issue of spreading incorrect information via the web.

ditto Jen

going to send you a PM.

Judy in Philly