Does It Do Any Good?

[Guest Kathy Ann]

I have multiple allergies. As a result I can't use MOST of what is on the shelf because it always has at least ONE ingredient I can't have. But if companies would try to at least avoid the BIG 8 ALLERGENS and leave them out, a lot of us could enjoy more things. I see no reason why a great company with a perfect product otherwise, has to include cornstarch when there are other less allergic ones that will do just as well. That's just one example. Or why does all chocolate have to have soy lecithin when there are other emulsifiers, or cane sugar when beet sugar is less allergenic and just as cheap? Same with eggs being in things and on and on.

Does it do any good to call companies? Would they pay any attention to such a suggestion? Any of you have experience with things changing because you called? It just seems LOGICAL to me that if I owned a food company and wanted to reach the biggest niche, I would AUTOMATICALLY avoid those big allergens so I could reach the most people.

[Corkdarrr]

I think most businesses let the market dictate. And until they see a major response from the general public requesting the exclusion of major allergens, they are going to keep producing whatever is cheapest. Sad...I know. But it won't do any harm to keep on writing letters and emails and making phone calls.

I'm in school right now for HRTM - Hotel, restaurant tourism mgmt. One of the thigns that keeps coming up is brand loyalty. And I always think of Celiacs and how ever since finding out about my intolerance a few months ago, I will forever be purchasing products by Unilever, McCormick and Kraft, to name a few.

Courtney

[Guest Kathy Ann]

One of these days the big companies (and little ones too) are going to realize what a HUGE CAPTIVE AUDIENCE the celiac people are. When they see how loyal (by necessity) we are, they surely will conclude that catering to us just makes good marketing sense.

[debmidge]

I get the impression that the companies really don't care...they do what they like anyway despite any word from the contrary. For example, Benefiber from Novartis now contains wheat in a small amount yet they claim it's gluten free. This is a change from their past formula. Now if they've been checking current events (i.e., more people being diagnosed with celiac disease than ever before, etc.) they would never have changed the formula. So who's making these decisions?

I wrote to them & got the form letter response about how they welcome comments both positive and negative (??) "They are one of the best means we have of finding out if we are meeting your needs through the products we market. Your comments are appreciated and will be shared with the appropriate departments."

Yeah, right. If this was really done, then they would NOT have added Wheat Dextrin to the formula.