Gluten Free Labeling

[TinkerbellSwt]

I am not sure where to post this.. so I will try here. I just got a phone call from my other half, with some great news for us celiacs that live in NJ.

If anyone lives near or shops at a ShopRite, they are soon going to be going over to the way that Wegmans does things. They are going to be labeling their own brand products as gluten free or sugar free. They will however, be doing this by the tag that is on the shelf, not on the product itself, yet. It seems to be that the items with pink tags will be gluten free.

They are going to be implementing this program department by department. The dairy and frozen departments will be first. I am not sure when this will take place, only that they have notified the department managers that it will happen.

For me, that is a good thing. I love Wegmans, I used to work there before my son was born. But Wegmans is extremely expensive.

I hope that this will help some of you.

[jerseyangel]

That's great news! We have a Shoprite (a big new one) not far from here. We just got a Wegmans about 3 weeks ago, but it's a little further away. Love both stores! Thanks for sharing

[VydorScope]

They will however, be doing this by the tag that is on the shelf, not on the product itself, yet. It seems to be that the items with pink tags will be gluten free.

Anyone that has worked retail will tell you how useless this will be. Products are constantly shelved inthe wrong location, moved by customers, shelf tags are constantly out of date, etc. I visit NJ a few tiems a year, and usally hit Shoprite a few times while there, but I can tell you I wont bother checking the shelf tags.

Its a nice thought, but a total waste of time and money on thier part due to poor implenmentation. JMO!

[mmaccartney]

Being extra sensitive, what does "gluten free" labeling mean to me? Even if a company tests their products, they can only state that it does not contain any detectable amounts of gluten. There can still be amounts of gluten in the "gluten free" foods that is detectable by our bodies! Do some searching on peoples reactions to "gluten free" labeled products from Bobs Red Mill (for example)!!

Even if it is labeled gluten free, I must still avoid it if there are CC issues....

hey does that make being celiac and extra sensitive to gluten a job oppurtunity?!?!?! We could sell our services as gluten free testers. If we don't react to the product then they could call it gluten free...wow, what would we charge??

Sorry, just some sick humor!

but kudos for the grocery chain for at least trying, and making an attempt to help us out!!!! It is a step in the right direction, and shows recognition of our disease!! Anyone reading hte labels at those supermarkets will now have the seed planted in their heads... "gluten free, what is that?" "Oh, I've heard of that before, its..." and awareness in the communities will be heightened which benefits all of us!!!

Great news!

[TinkerbellSwt]

I think its good news too. Our "plight" will become more well known. And as for the packing out of products where their tag is, they are constantly working on that. I was a scan coordinator for 8 years for Shop Rite. The only thing you have to do is match the UPC number on the product to the UPC number on the tag and then you will know if its the same product or not.

I know its not a full answer. Its a step in the right direction.