Stoneyfield Farms Yogurt

[terri]

I have heard so much about the gluten-free status of Stoneyfield yogurt that I decided to try to get to the heart of the matter. Here is my correspondance with their dietician. On their website they mentioned the possiblity of trace gluten from a gluten derived stabilizer. Reading from the bottom of this email up, I hope that the matter is now resolved. I just ate mine.

The alcohol that is used to extract the flavors from the fruits is a grain distilled alcohol.

Thanks,

Vicki Koenig MS, RD CDN

Stonyfield Farm Nutritionist

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

From: Terri Collins [mailto:TCOLLINS@nada.org]

Sent: Wednesday, June 01, 2005 2:25 PM

To: Stonyfield Farm Nutritionist

Subject: RE: stonyfield farm

Thank you for your response. What I need to know is if the immeasurable amount of gluten is from the distilled grain alcohol. I am one of the Celiacs who will consume distilled alcohol as I believe the gluten molecule to be too large to pass through the distilling process. If that is the only factor then I will gratefully continue my consuming of your yogurt. If it is not the only factor, then I'll switch to the plain and add my own fruit.

Thank you for your help, I look forward to hearing from you and will share your answer with my fellow Celiacs.

Terri

>>> "Stonyfield Farm Nutritionist" <WebSite@stonyfield.com> 06/01/05 1:40 PM >>>

Hello Terri,

Thank you for taking the time to contact us. We always welcome comments and questions from our yogurt lovers and are grateful when someone takes the time to let us know what they think of our Company and products.

Though we don

[skbird]

I haven't had the flavored Stonyfield yogurts but I have had the smoothies and had no problem. I do seem to react to miniscule amounts myself but didn't react to those. I actually didn't know there might be a problem there so thanks for the info. I'll continue to eat them.

Stephanie

[celiac3270]

If it's grain-distilled alcohol that's causing these "trace glutens" then there probably isn't any gluten in it. The wheat (or whatever grain) should be removed during the distillation process so it shouldn't matter.

[celiac3270]

Oh, I eat Yoplait. Clearly labeled ingredients (Kraft division), I think all flavors are gluten-free, but if you're not sure you can easily check, no cc issues.

[jenvan]

I only do Yoplait myself, I cut out Stonyfield b/c of their response...

[terri]

Stoneyfield has inulin to help absorb calcium and some other bacterias and cultures that actually soothe my tummy and make me feel better. I'm just happy to have them and Yoplait on board.

[KaitiUSA]

I only do Yoplait myself, I cut out Stonyfield b/c of their response...

Same here...I'm sure that Stoneyfield may have some gluten free products but the "traces of gluten" scares me a bit

[frenchiemama]

Does this apply to their plain yogurt, or just the flavored ones? I only use the plain.

[KaitiUSA]

I think that would only apply to their flavored yogurts.

[VydorScope]

Same here...I'm sure that Stoneyfield may have some gluten free products but the "traces of gluten" scares me a bit

I think I will adviod thier products for now too, but because of..

We are in the process of learning more about Celiac disease and have been told that some individuals are sensitive to miniscule amounts. We have difficulty answering questions because we are concerned about giving out information to individuals who have unique and sensitive health issues without the person going through their doctor. Especially since the outcome can be serious.

While its great they are trying to learn... I would rather wait till they know what they are dealing with better. If they do not understand it, then mayhap they do not understand the concept of cross contimation or the many sorces of gluten that are out there. Just my feelings on it.

[lbsteenwyk]

Terri:

Thanks for sharing this with us. My daughter has been eating Stoneyfield yogurt with no problems.

[jenvan]

their plain yogurt is okay...

[Turtle]

My first "I got glutened" experience occured today.

It was from Stoneyfield Flavored Yogurt. I never realized until after the fact that their flavored yougurts have "traces of gluten" in them. For some reason I thought they were "safe". Oops! AMAZING how just that little "trace" can make someone w/ Celiac so sick and boy was I ever sick....Lesson learned! I will never cheat on my Yoplait yogurt again. HA!

[Guest nini]

my daughter and I are both extremely sensitive to trace amounts and have NEVER had a problem with Stoneyfield Farms yogurt (knock wood) not saying it can't happen, just that we haven't had any problems with it.

I use the vanilla flavor in my smoothies. And I buy the Stoneyfield Farms yogurt tubes and freeze them. They make great popsicles.

[debmidge]

These types of responses from companies disturbs me somewhat.

Don't they know what's in their products?

If it's a grain distilation - then what grain?

They don't appear to know themselves -- is it corn or the WOBR type?

And, why would my doctor have any idea what's in their product?

He's a doctor, not a psychic.

Methinks that this is a "legal" response to throw the responsibility back at the celiac and the celiac's doctor.

That vagueness is not a "celiac-friendly" reply and breaches consumer confidence . Companies who use this as an answer should be gently confronted and told that it's an unacceptable response and that we want more information as they should know their product because it's in their "care, custody and control." The "end responsbility" should not be on the user/consumer - - this thinking brings us back to the old "buyer-beware" rules.

[terri]

My take on this is that they are waffling due to the distilled vinegar in their flavored yogurts. As that is still a bone of contention amongst Celiacs they don't want to commit. I am extremely sensitive and eat their yogurts regularly. They have probiotics (sp) in them that actually soothe my stomach. As for which grain is distilled, that makes no difference if you believe as I do that distillation prevents any gluten from contaminating a product.