Full Marks to Spain's Mercadona Supermarkets and their Extensive Sin Gluten Range

[cristiana]

We've just returned from visiting family in Spain and I wanted to let any coeliacs visiting Spain know that the Mercadona Supermarkets have a fantastic range of gluten free products, all clearly marked. 

It is so impressive - not just limited to the basics bread and pasta, they clearly label anything that is gluten free as "Sin Gluten" which takes so much guesswork out of the coeliac's shopping experience. 

At the time of writing they have over 1,600 stores. In the branch we frequented near Palma the gluten free products did not have their own section, which is what we are used to in British supermarkets, but you will find the gluten-free produce alongside "normal" products, all well wrapped to avoid cross contamination.  Look out for the red, white and blue "Sin/Sem Gluten" range on the front of relevant packs.

Congratulations Mercadona!

https://info.mercadona.es/es/consejos/alimentacion/mercadona-se-une-al-dia-nacional-del-celiaco-2022/tip?idCategoria=1470731242098

Edited September 2, 2022 by cristiana

[Scott Adams]

It looks like an amazing place, and it's great to know that they offer so many gluten-free foods in their markets!

[cristiana]

Yes, it is lovely.  

It did make me wonder why in the UK (I'm not sure what it is like in the States) if something is gluten free, even to the point of appearing in the Coeliac UK gluten free app, British food manufacturers aren't as keen to advertise the fact in an obvious way on their packaging, as per Mercadona, Spain.   It would make life so much easier for us.

I do know one café owner who lives near here who once said to me that he didn't label his cakes gluten free because it put some customers off buying them, perhaps thinking that it would affect the quality or flavour?  He would just share that information if someone asked if he had any gluten-free cakes.

I wonder if that is why manufacturers hesitate here?

 

Edited September 6, 2022 by cristiana

[Karen Allott Malkin]

I have found the same in the UK I don't know what your stance is on this, but I'm exasperated by it all because I'm fed up of checking labels and finding lots of food manufactured in the same environment as gluten (and other allergens) and huge companies eg Kelloggs thinking it's fine to warn you and that (in a sense) it's ok then for you to consume it! NCGS and coeliac are serious conditions - it's like saying to us, go on then poison yourself and make yourself ill. My NCGS has an affect on my brain that leads to panic and depression so I'm in constant anxiety about eating ANYTHING!! I'm currently in Spain and find that I relax a lot more due to the clear labelling 

I reiterate Full marks to Spain!

Karen 

[cristiana]

So strange you should post this today, @Karen Allott Malkin, as this lack of clarity affected a purchase today.   

I went into an old fashioned sweet shop on the coast, near where we live.  They sell sweets in jars and had put blue stickers on the jars containing gluten free sweets.   I asked them to double check the Walkers Nonsuch Chocolate Toffee Eclairs, which had no blue label, as I was under the distinct impression their sweets were gluten free.  The shop assistant googled the information - I'm not sure where she was looking - and told me no, they weren't gluten free.  I was very perplexed at that as I've been eating Walkers Toffee for years so when I went home I googled Walkers website.  Lo and behold - gluten free. 

So the shop lost a sale.  (Mind you, I need to lose weight so perhaps they did me a favour!)

But I just don't get why it isn't put clearly on the packaging, unless it is because manufacturers fear it will put people off buying something if it is labelled gluten free.  I do know there is a perception among some that 'gluten free' must mean  the food doesn't taste very nice. 

I am often told with my baking "Wow, this cake is really nice, you wouldn't think it was gluten free." As much to say, "I thought a gluten free cake would taste bad". 

I know a caterer who sells gluten free cake in his cafe but will not label it as such because he says it puts customers off buying it.  If someone specifically asks for gluten free cake, he will then tell them  his cake is gluten free.  So perhaps that is the issue?

 

Edited August 17, 2024 by cristiana