Jump to content

  • 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 Our Content
    eNewsletter
    Donate

More About Mcdonald's

Claire

By Claire
in Gluten-Free Restaurants

Recommended Posts

Claire Collaborator
Claire
Posted

The following is just an excerpt from the longer article. Claire

JUPITER COULE SUE MCDONALD'S, CLAIMING FRIES MADE DAUGHTER ILL

Associated Press

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - The parents of a 5-year-old girl sued McDonald's Corp., claiming its french fries contained a wheat protein that caused their daughter to become seriously ill.

Mark and Theresa Chimiak of Jupiter said in the lawsuit filed Friday in Palm Beach Circuit Court that their daughter Annalise had an intolerance to gluten.

The Chimiaks said they filed the lawsuit after McDonald's acknowledged earlier in the week that wheat and dairy ingredients were used in cooking oil for french fries.

The family's attorney, Brian W. Smith, said the family had checked with McDonald's before she ate the fries.

"They were assured by McDonald's Web site and local restaurant managers that the product was gluten-free," Smith said.

Media calls Saturday to McDonald's corporate offices were directed to a phone line that rang unanswered.

According to the lawsuit, Annalise became seriously ill with advanced celiac disease, an autoimmune condition, as well as epileptic seizures and stomach ulcers.

Open Original Shared Link

See also:

MCDONALD'S GOOFS AGAIN; FRENCH FRIES AREN'T GULTEN FREE AFTER ALL!

Open Original Shared Link

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


Claire Collaborator
Claire
Posted
  • Author

This is just an excerpt from the article. Url below. Claire

Excerpt from article:

If wheat or dairy products have ended up in the French fries after you said they were not, then McDonald's is in a whole heap of trouble. Many of those who suffer from this awful celiac disease are children who have parents freaking out about what they allow their kids to put in their mouth. And for good reason, too! It's life threatening in some instances.

This should be a HUGE wake-up call to the restaurant industry -- MAKE SURE YOUR GLUTEN-FREE MENU IS AS ACCURATE AND COMPREHENSIVE AS POSSIBLE! Otherwise, you too could be facing legal action against you for making false claims.

Open Original Shared Link

psawyer Proficient
psawyer
Posted

Unfortunately, it could also send this message:

If you have a gluten-free list, menu, label, etcetera it may attract a potential lawsuit. If you don't want the hassle, just tell them that there is wheat in everything, even if there isn't, just to be safe.

VydorScope Proficient
VydorScope
Posted
Unfortunately, it could also send this message:

If you have a gluten-free list, menu, label, etcetera it may attract a potential lawsuit. If you don't want the hassle, just tell them that there is wheat in everything, even if there isn't, just to be safe.

And this is the more likly outcome , hence why most of use are posting that we will refuse to join any class action lawsuit. In the end I think McDonalds is GUILTY of poor thinking behind releasing this information, and while that can be harmful/hurtfull I do not think its CRIMINAL.

judy05 Apprentice
judy05
Posted
And this is the more likly outcome , hence why most of use are posting that we will refuse to join any class action lawsuit. In the end I think McDonalds is GUILTY of poor thinking behind releasing this information, and while that can be harmful/hurtfull I do not think its CRIMINAL.

McDonalds is a huge corporation that cares about nothing except making a profit. They were wrong if they knowingly lied about the fries containing wheat. All companies should be made aware that wheat is like rat poison to us and knowing that children love their products makes it twice as wrong. We need attention brought to our cause, there are too many of us who have suffered many years from having doctors pass us off as hypochondriacs. I wish I could afford to sue a few of them who misdiagnosed me in the past, especially a board certified allergist who knew about the test but wouldn't order a blood test for me. I don't know in the end if this will help our cause or not but it does bring it out in the open. There are too many of us

now and we must demand and keep demanding for gluten free foods and restaurants. We also need to become more proactive when we visit our doctors and insist on having the proper testing done. Sorry for the rant, I just hate to think of the thousands of children who may have become sicker because of their stupid mistake.

ryebaby0 Enthusiast
ryebaby0
Posted

But you just said it yourself -- McDonald's is a corporation interested in profit. They aren't a charity, a non-profit or a soup kitchen. While we want them to be as accurate as possible, demanding that they be infallible will only hurt us. It's not immoral or illegal for a company to consider it's bottom line, and lawsuits work against us.

Any company faced with hundreds of irate potential customers, or millions in legal fees, is going to tell us they can't guarantee anything about the food, and refuse to tell us either way. Or, they'll purposefully add wheat to drive us away. I don't see how that advocates for people with food issues in any good way.

joanna

killernj13 Enthusiast
killernj13
Posted

Well these corporations care about profits and when they see the sale of gluten-free products had something like a 300% increase this year they will realize they need to keep providing them for us.

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


Rachel--24 Collaborator
Rachel--24
Posted
Well these corporations care about profits and when they see the sale of gluten-free products had something like a 300% increase this year they will realize they need to keep providing them for us.

I'm sure the risk of possible lawsuits would be more damaging to the corporations than worrying about losing the business of Celiacs. In the end...we lose.

Claire Collaborator
Claire
Posted
  • Author

I know that restaurants sometimes decline to serve customers who mention 'allergy'.

I wonder if they could get away with posting a 'We Do Not Serve Celiacs' sign? :lol::angry:

tarnalberry Community Regular
tarnalberry
Posted
I know that restaurants sometimes decline to serve customers who mention 'allergy'.

I wonder if they could get away with posting a 'We Do Not Serve Celiacs' sign? :lol::angry:

No, but they *could* get away with a sign saying "We cannot guarantee any of our food is safe for those with food allergies."

marcmtl Newbie
marcmtl
Posted

Statement from McDonalds's Canada.

The media stories do not apply to McDonald's Canada.

Our frying oil is different, therefore trans fat levels are lower than the US, and the oil does not containan any wheat or dairy derivatives.

Full story at www.celiac.ca

johnm Rookie
johnm
Posted

Wow I'm completely shocked people would take their side on this. I'm in a furious rage right now. I've been working hard to change whats been a life crippling disease. I did my research and figured I was safe to eat their fries. Now I find their negligence in labeling their products might well be responsible for the problems I continue to have? I'm sorry but I don't feel priviledged to eat products made by such an uncaring food makers. I won't lie down and take it just in hopes they don't spite me in some fashion. This is nothing but negligence and I HATE class actions law suits because they only make lawyers rich, but this is a class I would join in a heart beat I believe. Ymmv and all that, but if someone died because they didn't list nuts I think people would be much more up in arms. I don't its unreasonable to expect truthful disclosure of the ingredients in your products.

Rusla Enthusiast
Rusla
Posted

The thing is I think one would have to be able to prove that MacDonald's not only intentionally but maliciously hid the information from people. They were only going by what the manufacturer told them and they were obviously given bad information about gluten. Not everyone is well informed on Celiac disease. Let's face it there are tons of doctors out there who have no clue about the disease either.

They may be a big corporation and yes they are interested in money. Just because they are not knowlegeable about Celiac does not show evil intent. How many of us were that knowlegeable before getting it.

I am not defending them at all just looking at it from a logical point.

psawyer Proficient
psawyer
Posted

As far as we seem to know, McDonalds acted in good faith. Their supplier represented to them that there was no gluten in the frozen, par fried potato product. McDonalds believed them, and represented to their customers the same thing.

As soon as their supplier indicated that there might be wheat in the product, they immediately voluntarily updated their ingredient lists to reflect what they had had been told. They have also arranged with an independent party to test the fries to see if they have these proteins in them.

They muffed the announcement, and their call center people did not have answers to the questions that arose from the media reports. But, I don't think that they have been deceptive or dishonest at any point. And I don't think that suing them will provide any benefit to celiacs. It will only hurt us.

Nate Apprentice
Nate
Posted
As far as we seem to know, McDonalds acted in good faith. Their supplier represented to them that there was no gluten in the frozen, par fried potato product. McDonalds believed them, and represented to their customers the same thing.

As soon as their supplier indicated that there might be wheat in the product, they immediately voluntarily updated their ingredient lists to reflect what they had had been told. They have also arranged with an independent party to test the fries to see if they have these proteins in them.

They muffed the announcement, and their call center people did not have answers to the questions that arose from the media reports. But, I don't think that they have been deceptive or dishonest at any point. And I don't think that suing them will provide any benefit to celiacs. It will only hurt us.

I'm glad someone said it.

My thoughts exactly. Filing a lawsuit isn't going to get them any closer to working with us and I'm glad they admitted it. I see it near impossible for any restaurant to guarantee a gluten free menu while selling and cooking food with gluten in the same kitchen. It's a risk regardless of how much they try. We have a restaurant here that sells gluten free food but they warn of cross contamination and ask how strong you'll react because they know it's impossible. I could file 20 lawsuits from company's that said they were gluten free but got sick from.

N

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

Go to topic listing

  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Celiac.com:
    Join eNewsletter
    Donate
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A17):
    Celiac.com Sponsor (A17):



    Celiac.com Sponsors (A17-M):



  • Recent Activity

    1. Lotte18
      - Lotte18 commented on Scott Adams's article in Diagnosis, Testing & Treatment
      9

      A Future Beyond the Gluten-Free Diet? Scientists Test a New Cell Therapy for Celiac Disease (+Video)

      I feel the same way. Looks like the research is being done in Switzerland. Thank you Scott for keeping us updated on the research!
    2. knitty kitty
      - knitty kitty replied to McKinleyWY's topic in Celiac Disease Pre-Diagnosis, Testing & Symptoms
      2

      Accuracy of testing concerns

      Welcome to the forum, @McKinleyWY, For a genetic test, you don't have to eat gluten, but this will only show if you have the genes necessary for the development of Celiac disease. It will not show if you have active Celiac disease. Eating gluten stimulates the production of antibodies against gluten which mistakenly attack our own bodies. The...
    3. trents
      - trents replied to McKinleyWY's topic in Celiac Disease Pre-Diagnosis, Testing & Symptoms
      2

      Accuracy of testing concerns

      Welcome to the celiac.com community, @McKinleyWY! There currently is no testing for celiac disease that does not require you to have been consuming generous amounts of gluten (at least 10g daily, about the amount in 4-6 slices of wheat bread) for at least two weeks and, to be certain of accurate testing, longer than that. This applies to both phases...
    4. McKinleyWY
      - McKinleyWY posted a topic in Celiac Disease Pre-Diagnosis, Testing & Symptoms
      2

      Accuracy of testing concerns

      Hello all, I was diagnosed at the age of 2 as being allergic to yeast. All my life I have avoided bread and most products containing enriched flour as they contain yeast (when making the man made vitamins to add back in to the flour). Within the last year or so, we discovered that even whole wheat products bother me but strangely enough I can eat...
    5. trents
      - trents replied to Teaganwhowantsanexpltion's topic in Introduce Yourself / Share Stuff
      4

      A little about me and my celiac disease

      I know what you mean. When I get glutened I have severe gut cramps and throw up for 2-3 hr. and then have diarrhea for another several hours. Avoid eating out if at all possible. It is the number one source of gluten contamination for us celiacs. When you are forced to eat out at a new restaurant that you are not sure is safe, try to order things that you...
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):

  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      133,242
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748
    rickak
    Newest Member
    rickak
    Joined
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):

  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      121.6k
    • Total Posts
      1m
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):

  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • knitty kitty
      Accuracy of testing concerns

      By knitty kitty · Posted

      Welcome to the forum, @McKinleyWY, For a genetic test, you don't have to eat gluten, but this will only show if you have the genes necessary for the development of Celiac disease.  It will not show if you have active Celiac disease.   Eating gluten stimulates the production of antibodies against gluten which mistakenly attack our own bodies.  The antibodies are produced in the small intestines.  Three grams of gluten are enough to make you feel sick and ramp up anti-gluten antibody production and inflammation for two years afterwards.  However, TEN grams of gluten or more per day for two weeks is required to stimulate anti-gluten antibodies' production enough so that the anti-gluten antibodies move out of the intestines and into the bloodstream where they can be measured in blood tests.  This level of anti-gluten antibodies also causes measurable damage to the lining of the intestines as seen on biopsy samples taken during an endoscopy (the "gold standard" of Celiac diagnosis).   Since you have been experimenting with whole wheat bread in the past year or so, possibly getting cross contaminated in a mixed household, and your immune system is still so sensitized to gluten consumption, you may want to go ahead with the gluten challenge.   It can take two years absolutely gluten free for the immune system to quit reacting to gluten exposure.   Avoiding gluten most if the time, but then experimenting with whole wheat bread is a great way to keep your body in a state of inflammation and illness.  A diagnosis would help you stop playing Russian roulette with your and your children's health.      
    • trents
      Accuracy of testing concerns

      By trents · Posted

      Welcome to the celiac.com community, @McKinleyWY! There currently is no testing for celiac disease that does not require you to have been consuming generous amounts of gluten (at least 10g daily, about the amount in 4-6 slices of wheat bread) for at least two weeks and, to be certain of accurate testing, longer than that. This applies to both phases of testing, the blood antibody tests and the endoscopy with biopsy.  There is the option of genetic testing to see if you have one or both of the two genes known to provide the potential to develop celiac disease. It is not really a diagnostic measure, however, as 30-40% of the general population has one or both of these genes whereas only about 1% of the general population actually develops celiac disease. But genetic testing is valuable as a rule out measure. If you don't have either of the genes, it is highly unlikely that you can have celiac disease. Having said all that, even if you don't have celiac disease you can have NCGS (Non Celiac Gluten Sensitivity) which shares many of the same symptoms as celiac disease but does not involve and autoimmune reaction that damages the lining of the small bowel as does celiac disease. Both conditions call for the complete elimination of gluten from the diet. I hope this brings some clarity to your questions.
    • McKinleyWY
      Accuracy of testing concerns

      By McKinleyWY · Posted

      Hello all, I was diagnosed at the age of 2 as being allergic to yeast.  All my life I have avoided bread and most products containing enriched flour as they  contain yeast (when making the man made vitamins to add back in to the flour).  Within the last year or so, we discovered that even whole wheat products bother me but strangely enough I can eat gluten free bread with yeast and have no reactions.  Obviously, we have come to believe the issue is gluten not yeast.  Times continues to reinforce this as we are transitioning to a gluten free home and family.  I become quite ill when I consume even the smallest amount of gluten. How will my not having consumed breads/yeast/gluten for the better part of decades impact a biopsy or blood work?  I would love to know if it is a gluten intolerance or a genetic issue for family members but unsure of the results given my history of limited gluten intake.   I appreciate the input from those who have gone before me in experience and knowledge. Thank you all!
    • trents
      A little about me and my celiac disease

      By trents · Posted

      I know what you mean. When I get glutened I have severe gut cramps and throw up for 2-3 hr. and then have diarrhea for another several hours. Avoid eating out if at all possible. It is the number one source of gluten contamination for us celiacs. When you are forced to eat out at a new restaurant that you are not sure is safe, try to order things that you can be sure will not get cross contaminated like a boiled egg, baked potatos, steamed vegies, fresh fruit. Yes, I know that doesn't sound as appetizing as pizza or a burger and fries but your health is at stake. I also realize that as a 14 year old you don't have a lot of control over where you eat out because you are tagging along with others or adults are paying for it. Do you have support from your parents concerning your need to eat gluten free? Do you believe they have a good understanding of the many places gluten can show up in the food supply?
    • Peace lily
      Gluten Free Coffee

      By Peace lily · Posted

      Okay went online to check green mountain k cups .It was said that the regular coffees are fine but they couldn’t guarantee cross contamination.with the flavors. im trying to figure out since I eliminated the suyrup so far so good. I’m hoping. thanks it feels good to listen to other people there views.
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

NOTICE: This site places This site places cookies on your device (Cookie settings). on your device. Continued use is acceptance of our Terms of Use, and Privacy Policy.