Contacting Companies

[bmzob]

I'm a newly diagnosed Celiac. Since finding out I went through my pantry and decided to contact companies to see if their products were gluten-free. Some of the companies websites were informative while others I had to email. Most of the companies wrote back telling me their labels are the best place to look. but most of these companies have questionable ingredients and there is nothing next to them to tell you what it is derived from. also i though wheat was the only allergen in the top eight that has to be included. so for us what about the rye, barley, etc? How is the label the best place to look if it does not include these things? Any tips for label reading? Thanks.

Britni

[Lisa]

With the new labeling laws only Wheat will be listed........rye, barley, malt is not required.

So if a product is wheat free, it may not be gluten free.

On this site on the "front page", there is a safe, and forgidden list. That may be helpful to you.

Kraft, Hormel are good "listing" companies.

Sorry this is so brief, but got to go. Others will be here soon.

Welcome to Celiacland and some very helpful peops.

Lisa

[Guest nini]

you might want to check out my Newbie Survival Kit, it could help answer a lot of your questions, including lists of safe foods.

If you click on the link in my signature below for my web page, at the bottom of my web page you will find a link to download the Newbie Survival Kit. Let me know if you have any trouble with that!

[jerseyangel]

Hi Britni--welcome!

The usual answer that I've gotten from a mainstream company is that "any gluten ingredients will be listed". If they say this, all you need to do is read the label.

If they out and out refuse to answer your questions about gluten (which has never happened to me), I wouldn't use the product.

I've been at this for over a year, and with the exception of the specialty companies, every company I've contacted has given me a satisfactory answer. Then, it's up to us to decide if the product is safe.

[Rikki Tikki]

Hi Britni and welcome

The labels have always been a source of confusion to me. I know Kraft will list if their products have anything in them from grains but beyond that I find it very confusing. If you follow nini's directions you will be able to access a list of safe and not safe foods. Generally stay away from processed foods, look for distilled vinegars and the like.

Glad to have you. Remember also to be cautious of medication as they sometimes use gluten to bind their ingredients.

[myserenityprayer]

you might want to check out my Newbie Survival Kit, it could help answer a lot of your questions, including lists of safe foods.

If you click on the link in my signature below for my web page, at the bottom of my web page you will find a link to download the Newbie Survival Kit. Let me know if you have any trouble with that!

by the way....i loved your bewbie kit. thank you!! its on my desktop and will be forever. i also emailed it to my mom so she can stop calling me every 2 seconds about a gluten-free question!