Arrowhead Puffed Rice - Company Says Can't "say W/ Certainty" Is gluten-free, Even Though Is Labelled As Such?

[Aerin328]

I wrote to Arrowhead about their Puffed Rice cereal which I have been consuming several times a day as a staple. I noticed on their packaging the "gluten free" comment had an asterix (*) next to it that stated, "please contact us regarding our gluten-free policy." Well I did, and this is what I got:

"Unfortunately, at this time we are unable to state with certainty that this product contains less than the amount in question of gluten."

OMG could it possibly be that my coveted puffed rice could be cross-contaminated and glutenous? (And if Puffed Rice is in question, what about their wonderful Maple Buckwheat Flakes???)

Has anyone ever had any problem with Arrowhead? Can we trust their "gluten free" label or does cross-contamination take this product out??

[Guest nini]

Arrowhead Mills is on my "DO NOT TRUST" list... so is Bob's Red Mill...

[AndreaB]

We just bought 2 boxes of rice flakes cereal by Arrowhead. We haven't had the maple buckwheat since going gluten free and haven't had these since then either. Now I wonder if I should just take them back.

[Aerin328]

Arrowhead just sent another reply to my inquiry, this one is more positive :

"Arrowhead Mills takes the allergen issue quite seriously and approaches each product and product type systematically. Considerations which are important in reducing risk include personnel training, scheduling of runs, design of equipment, cleaning, GMPs, HACCP programs, development of effective cleaning processes, documentation, testing of ingredients and finished product. One can never guarantee 100% gluten free but we do all we can to assure the consumer that the gluten free product is safe and the risk of any contamination is minimal."

What do you all think?

As ever, thank you for taking the time to respond!

[RiceGuy]

I didn't have any trouble with the Arrowhead Mills stuff I've had, and plan to get more. On the other hand, Bob's Red Mill seemed to pose a problem.

I guess nobody ever wants to stick their neck out and say with certainty that the product is 100% guaranteed gluten-free, as someone would eventually sue. It's a lawyer thing. I try not to let it bother me too much, as I know they're just watching their backs.

[CarlaB]

I'm still feeling pretty crummy pretty regularly ... in fact lately it's more often than not ... so I'm avoiding processed foods as much as possible until I feel good again. Then I'll test the foods I like that are processed, one at a time in isolated events so that I know for sure how I react to them. Some things bother some people and not other people, so you can only know how you react.

As someone else mentioned, it's probably just a cya statement ... but others have said they don't trust them.

[Aerin328]

Yeah, my girlfriend (who also was just diagnosed Celiac, ironically!) agrees it's probably just a legal statement to cover their bums. But it still really makes me nervous!

If you're reading this and trust (or don't trust) Arrowhead please comment... I'm just interested as to what other peoples' experiences have been.

Thank you!

[debmidge]

we do not do business with them as last time I spoke with a rep there they were rude; got differing answers each time I called (which was about 3 times over the course of a year) and their products bothered my husband (celiac disease symptoms).

They are also tied in to Celestial brand and they too have the same Customer Service problems. I don't mind the CYA statement, but don't give me a variety of answers to "is your product gluten-free?" and be rude on the phone. Showed me that they dont' really care about their gluten-free customers as much as their label would imply.

[GlutenFreeAl]

Arrowhead Mills' puffed corn made me sick, which is a shame because it's delicious.

My understanding of Arrowhead Mills is that if something is labeled Gluten Free it is made in a dedicated facility and the gluten content of finished products is checked regularly. If it does not specifically say Gluten Free, it may not be.

Someone correct me if I'm wrong...

[GlutenFreeGirlie]

I know this is an old post, but I haven't ever been to this part of the forum before and just read this stuff. I do not trust Arrowhead Mills- but I want to defend one of my favorite companies- Bob's Red Mill. They are always more than helpful when I call them and I've never had a problem with them saying they can't guarantee their gluten-free stance. My daughter has never once had a reaction to their products. I know some people on here have said that they have, which is possible- but I have never had them be rude to me.

[pixiegirl]

I can't use Bob's RedMill, they told me that their products may contain nuts/peanuts and we are allergic to them. Arrowhead Mills says I don't have to worry about the nut issue with their products.

Susan

[RiceGuy]

  debmidge said:

we do not do business with them as last time I spoke with a rep there they were rude; got differing answers each time I called (which was about 3 times over the course of a year) and their products bothered my husband (celiac disease symptoms).

They are also tied in to Celestial brand and they too have the same Customer Service problems. I don't mind the CYA statement, but don't give me a variety of answers to "is your product gluten-free?" and be rude on the phone. Showed me that they dont' really care about their gluten-free customers as much as their label would imply.

Another way to look at it is that the reps are not sticking to a strict set of answers. Plus they don't all have the same personality, and they apparently don't have the professional training/discipline one might expect. If their customer service dept. has a large turnover of employees, and/or they use temps, answers will likely differ too often.

There are also companies who do nothing but handle telephone customer service, for companies that can't afford to do it in-house. It would not surprise me if this is the case. Imagine how you'd get some rep in another part of the country to sound as if they know your every product "like the back of their hand". Especially when they may do the service for a dozen or more completely different companies.

But I agree that if a company has a gluten-free policy, they need to make certain their reps know and understand what's expected.

So it seems some react to Arrowhead Mills, and some to Bob's Red Mill. Maybe they both have cross-contamination issues, which I'd guess would make the end product of varying purity over time. I'm sure it also depends on the nature of the contaminants, and we all have our own sensitivities. Still, it only takes one bad experience to turn one off to a brand forever - it's the whole "one chance at a first impression" thing.

[tammy]

  Aerin328 said:

Yeah, my girlfriend (who also was just diagnosed Celiac, ironically!) agrees it's probably just a legal statement to cover their bums. But it still really makes me nervous!

If you're reading this and trust (or don't trust) Arrowhead please comment... I'm just interested as to what other peoples' experiences have been.

Thank you!

I think it is pretty safe, especially since you have already consumed this very as a staple. I agree, nobody really wants to stick their neck out and say for sure...but go and enjoy your cereal.

[de caps]

When I was first diagnosed with celiac disease I enjoyed eating the corn puffs also. When I called the company the rep told me not to eat them because they were not 100% gluten-free. The ingredients are, the processing is not.

[Armanivon]

Dec 31 2015- I called arrowhead mills today and they stated that "the whole grain puffed brown rice is genetically gluten free but it has not been certified to be less that 10 parts per billion so they cannot say 100% due to possible cross contamination with growing near other wheat or grain fields or transfer/puffing/packaging machinery" 

I often find the bag of puffs in the gluten free section of stores though so I feel like a lot of people must be consuming it and not having to much issues or stores would move it from that area since it is not certified. I remember eating it in the past so I am going to try it again. I am extreemly sensitive to any gluten cross contamination particles but I haven't got sick from it yet. 

[Imarmole]

I have used their products in the past with no problems that I was aware of. Even though I was a little iffy about purchasing their popping corn, the trusted and safe brand was more expensive and the Arrowhead Mills says it is certified gluten-free. There are also no disclaimers stating that their corn is processed on shared line however; I am almost certain that I had a reaction only it must not have been from gluten unless that batch was untested. I am also very sensitive to trace soy and dairy so I am thinking it is most likely contaminated with soy. I have contacted the company via Facebook and email and will post their reply in case anybody is wondering if they have changed their ways, which from the looks of it it doesn't seem like it.

Now I will be more careful because I realize that I need to be looking for products that are allergen free not just gluten free even if it means paying extra. Not only that, but making sure that their facilities are dedicated since I am so sensitive.

 

[kareng]

  On 12/31/2015 at 5:36 PM, Armanivon said:

Dec 31 2015- I called arrowhead mills today and they stated that "the whole grain puffed brown rice is genetically gluten free but it has not been certified to be less that 10 parts per billion so they cannot say 100% due to possible cross contamination with growing near other wheat or grain fields or transfer/puffing/packaging machinery" 

I often find the bag of puffs in the gluten free section of stores though so I feel like a lot of people must be consuming it and not having to much issues or stores would move it from that area since it is not certified. I remember eating it in the past so I am going to try it again. I am extreemly sensitive to any gluten cross contamination particles but I haven't got sick from it yet. 

Expand Quote  

 I see no reason not to trust this company and its gluten free claims.

 

 

I would be skeptical about this post.  No company  certifies "to be less that 10 parts per billion ".  That is not even possible currently nor necessary to be considered gluten free.

 

From their website -

 

"we run rigorous tests to be sure that nothing we call gluten free contains any gluten, and we carefully monitor our production facilities to be sure that there is no possibility of cross contamination. In short, we prioritize the purity of your food, so that if the gluten free products you're eating come from Arrowhead Mills, you can rest easy knowing they're completely safe—and entirely in line with your dietary needs.we run rigorous tests to be sure that nothing we call gluten free contains any gluten, and we carefully monitor our production facilities to be sure that there is no possibility of cross contamination. In short, we prioritize the purity of your food, so that if the gluten free products you're eating come from Arrowhead Mills, you can rest easy knowing they're completely safe—and entirely in line with your dietary needs."