Processed On Equipment That Also Processes Wheat

[quincy]

I came across this promotional video on Kinnikinnick's website. Very effective advertisement for their company for sure, but is it heavy-handed, so to speak? Though their donuts are so good they don't have to convince me to buy their products! But do you think it is too over the top and misleading, or does it show a legitimate issue of what is going on at any given facility that claims to sanitize their lines before processing our gluten-free food?

warning though, this video-clip is just gross!

Open Original Shared Link

[dilettantesteph]

I couldn't get your link to work. Whether or not you need dedicated equipments seems to depend on how sensitive you are to low levels of contamination.

[quincy]

I couldn't get your link to work. Whether or not you need dedicated equipments seems to depend on how sensitive you are to low levels of contamination.

sorry about that. I have not posted links before. I try not to do that on forums but this was a good video clip.

this will take you to the company's "TV" site just scroll down to find the one that says "The Importance of Dedicated facilities"

hope it works this time....

[Skylark]

There was a study that came out earlier this year showing that "shared machinery" foods have a higher chance of being CC'd with allergens than "shared facility" foods. That video is not surprising at all, and making me glad I'm moving away from eating processed foods. Ewww!

[quincy]

There was a study that came out earlier this year showing that "shared machinery" foods have a higher chance of being CC'd with allergens than "shared facility" foods. That video is not surprising at all, and making me glad I'm moving away from eating processed foods. Ewww!

yes Skylark, I feel the same way; I would not be as alarmed if the facility has areas (hopefully well segregated) that process gluten products and other areas that are non-gluten, but the same machine, to me, is a considerable risk to me. IMHO

[psawyer]

The interesting thing to me, is that the presentation's title, first slide, and third-to-last slide talk about dedicated facilities. But nothing in the actual content talks about shared facility risks. If you want to try to scare people off shared facilities, at least provide some relevant evidence.

It does clearly show that there is some equipment which is very difficult to clean and thus would definitely pose a risk if shared. I'm reminded of the advice frequently given here to newbies: buy a new toaster and use it exclusively for gluten-free foods.

But, wait. If Kinnikinnick only have dedicated facilities, what on earth were they thinking buying a used machine that was used for wheat? And they said in there that it wasn't the first time (I believe the machine that makes K-Toos is another case).

[Skylark]

I would hope a month-long cleaning would be able to get any residual gluten off the machine! At least they are taking everything apart and being thorough. I believe Kinnikinnick's cutoff is down at 10 ppm so they must know what they're doing.

It really is scary about shared machinery.

[dilettantesteph]

But, wait. If Kinnikinnick only have dedicated facilities, what on earth were they thinking buying a used machine that was used for wheat? And they said in there that it wasn't the first time (I believe the machine that makes K-Toos is another case).

I'm with you, Peter. That just made me think, "No wonder I reacted to Kinnikinnick's food!" How on earth could you get that big mess clean enough for the most sensitive?

[quincy]

I'm with you, Peter. That just made me think, "No wonder I reacted to Kinnikinnick's food!" How on earth could you get that big mess clean enough for the most sensitive?

I have only tried their donuts and I have not had any problems and I am extremely sensitive. Kinnikinnick is another issue that would be interesting to explore, perhaps I will give them a call about their video for their reaction to the forum members' posts and questions. or perhaps if you have been sickened by their products, you should contact them and ask them what gives.

If they are testing their products I would hope that they have pretty much cleaned their machines down to zero ppm before using them on their lines, if that is even possible w shared equipment. That is actually the heart of the question and the reason I posted that video (not to have a gotcha discussion about kinnikinnick). how well can Trader Joe's for example, package their items as gluten free or made without gluten ingredients knowing that the celiac community can react to trace amounts of gluten cc from shared equipment from companies they cannot monitor. How well can shared equipment be cleaned in a large scale food processing situation etc. etc.

[DougE]

It does clearly show that there is some equipment which is very difficult to clean and thus would definitely pose a risk if shared. I'm reminded of the advice frequently given here to newbies: buy a new toaster and use it exclusively for gluten-free foods.

But, wait. If Kinnikinnick only have dedicated facilities, what on earth were they thinking buying a used machine that was used for wheat? And they said in there that it wasn't the first time (I believe the machine that makes K-Toos is another case).

What Kinnikinnick are saying in this video is that they took the machine apart and cleaned it thoroughly. In fact it took them 4 months to clean the machine. I suppose if you took the time to take your household toaster completely apart and clean each part, you could probably get away with a used toaster. It just isn't practical with a $40 appliance.

[dilettantesteph]

I should have qualified my comment by saying that I am extremely sensitive and can't eat hardly any processed foods. Kinnickinnick really does try their hardest. Their foods are certainly among the most gluten free. I'm sure that they washed the equipment very well if they spent 4 weeks at it. I just don't think that it is possible to get it clean enough for someone like me starting like that. I have contacted them about my reactions. I believe they told me that they test to 5 ppm, which is the lowest available these days. It just isn't low enough for me. I have to sort and wash all my grains.

[quincy]

I should have qualified my comment by saying that I am extremely sensitive and can't eat hardly any processed foods. Kinnickinnick really does try their hardest. Their foods are certainly among the most gluten free. I'm sure that they washed the equipment very well if they spent 4 weeks at it. I just don't think that it is possible to get it clean enough for someone like me starting like that. I have contacted them about my reactions. I believe they told me that they test to 5 ppm, which is the lowest available these days. It just isn't low enough for me. I have to sort and wash all my grains.

thanks for that bit of detective work. I only eat their donuts as a treat once in awhile and I like that they are dairy/casein- free as well. I noticed for the first time (duh) that they don't have the certified endorsement on their box. So I wonder if they were to purchase new equipment (much more expensive for them) could they get even lower than 5ppm? Or is all flour just hopelessly contaminated to some degree. I am very sensitive also but perhaps not to 5ppm, hmmm interesting. Again, I was not posting to promote or attack Kinnikinnick, but their video raises questions for us Celiacs thanks!