The Body Shope

[minibabe]

I have also emailed the body shop and here is what they said:

Dear Customer,

Thank you for your email and interest in The Body Shop! Unfortunately, we

currently do not have a compiled list or database that we can query for

specific ingredients in all our products.

Gluten is a protein found in wheat, oats, barley and rye which is found in

many products. The reason we recommend consulting a physician is due to the

fact there is no way for us to predict how an ingredient will affect

individuals. Each person is different and an item not containing gluten may

have come from a vendor that produces products that do contain gluten in the

same machine. Therefore, there may be a very small trace left behind in the

machine after cleaning. Depending on the severity of your reaction this

trace amount may not affect you, where another person may have a very bad

reaction. Gluten is not tested for due to the fact that is used

intentionally in some products.

All our product formulations are subject to careful evaluation by

independent external safety assessors and adhere to strict criteria.

Customers concerned about an allergy should carefully read the product label

to ensure that the product contains no ingredients they are allergic to. We

include a full ingredient list on our products, which would identify a known

gluten ingredient in the product. Please know that the ingredients to all

our products, in addition to being listed on our products, can now be

obtained from the website www.thebodyshop.com. Once you have selected the

item you are interested in, click on the "All Ingredients" tab found below

the product.

I hope this information helps. Feel free to contact us again if you have any

further questions or concerns about the products or customer service at The

Body Shop. We sincerely hope you will continue to make The Body Shop

[tiredofdoctors]

I'd just write a note back telling them that I am fully aware of the definition of gluten, and of the manifestations of gluten sensitivity -- particularly since you wrote THEM about a specific condition. I would also tell them that, given that they have little regard for keeping abreast of the ingredients in their products, and for the lack of interest in the the health of their consumers, that you will no longer be using their products. In addition, you will be posting their response on the Celiac forum so that other gluten-intolerant patients will know of their apathy, and you will also encourage your friends to discontinue purchasing their products. At least you might get their attention.

[minibabe]

I'd just write a note back telling them that I am fully aware of the definition of gluten, and of the manifestations of gluten sensitivity -- particularly since you wrote THEM about a specific condition. I would also tell them that, given that they have little regard for keeping abreast of the ingredients in their products, and for the lack of interest in the the health of their consumers, that you will no longer be using their products. In addition, you will be posting their response on the Celiac forum so that other gluten-intolerant patients will know of their apathy, and you will also encourage your friends to discontinue purchasing their products. At least you might get their attention.

Thanks !!! I could not have said it any better

[jenvan]

I might encourage them to take the ingredients in their products as seriously as they claim to take social and environmental justice.

I think in time more and more companies will have to do just that as increased numbers of Celiacs and those concerned with ingredients force their hand and turn to products that can be trusted. That said, I would say this is a pretty typical response and one I've encountered from many companies. The best thing you can do is find a company you feel you can trust and buy their products. I switched over all my products to companies that had sufficient answers for me.