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Celiac.com 11/27/2024 - In a surprising turn of events, Abby Kreger, a Michigan resident and cat-content creator, found herself at the center of a viral internet story after an unexpected glitch with her favorite comfort food. Kraft Gluten-Free Mac & Cheese, a brand beloved by many in the gluten-free community, became the source of a bizarre mystery when multiple boxes were found missing their signature cheese packets. What began as a personal inconvenience quickly turned into a rallying cry for the gluten-free and celiac communities, capturing widespread attention online. Discovering the Mystery Abby's journey started on October 1 when she purchased a box of Kraft Gluten-Free Mac & Cheese. Eager for a comforting meal, she opened the box at home only to find the crucial cheese packet was missing. At first, the incident seemed like an isolated manufacturing error. However, her frustration mounted when a second box from a different store was also devoid of cheese. "I thought it was weird," Abby recalled. "It was a little bummer because I really wanted mac and cheese." After discussing the problem with her mother, Abby reached out to Kraft's customer service team through their website. The company responded by sending her coupons to replace the faulty product. Using those coupons, Abby purchased two more boxes from different locations in November, only to encounter the same issue. By the fourth incident, Abby's frustration turned into curiosity. "I thought, ‘Am I cursed?' Then I realized something bigger might be going on at the factory," she said. Taking the Issue to TikTok Determined to raise awareness about the problem, Abby turned to TikTok, where she typically shares videos about her nonprofit cat rescue, Pet Angel Adoption & Rescue. She posted a video recounting her experiences with the missing cheese packets, hoping the story might catch the attention of Kraft's quality assurance team. To her astonishment, the video went viral, garnering millions of views and thousands of comments. Kraft even responded directly in the comment section, apologizing and assuring viewers there were no known quality issues with their gluten-free product. The turning point came when a Kraft executive, Larry, personally called Abby to address her concerns. Abby described the call as a surprisingly positive experience: "Larry was kind and considerate. He told me I was one of the nicest customers he'd ever spoken to, which really meant a lot." Advocacy for the Gluten-Free Community What made Abby's story resonate wasn't just the missing cheese packets—it was her heartfelt advocacy for the gluten-free and celiac communities. Diagnosed with celiac disease in 2020, Abby knows firsthand how isolating dietary restrictions can feel. "In our society, every get-together revolves around food," she explained. "Not being able to eat the same food as everyone else feels extremely isolating." Her viral TikTok brought awareness to the challenges faced by people with gluten intolerance or celiac disease. It also highlighted the importance of equal attention to quality control for gluten-free products, which often serve as lifelines for those with restricted diets. "This was never about free products," Abby clarified. "It was about advocating for the gluten-free community and ensuring companies care about us just as much as their other customers." The Power of Community Abby's story didn't just catch Kraft's attention. Twelve other companies, including Annie's Homegrown, Banza, and Stouffer's, reached out to her in support, sending her products and thanking her for bringing attention to the issue. She was deeply moved by the outpouring of kindness, not only from companies but also from strangers on the internet. "The support has been incredible," Abby said. "This whole situation has healed a piece of my heart that broke when I was diagnosed with celiac disease. People have proven that there is not only a seat at every table for gluten-free people, but food at every table for us as well." Kraft's Response and Commitment Following Abby's viral TikTok, Kraft issued a statement apologizing for her experience and pledging to investigate the production issue. A spokesperson confirmed that their quality assurance team is diligently working to identify the root cause of the problem and prevent it from happening in the future. "Our team has been in touch with Abby to make things right," the statement read. "We are committed to treating all inquiries with care and respect and ensuring the quality of our products." A Lesson in Advocacy Abby's viral journey serves as a reminder of the power of speaking up and the importance of companies listening to their customers. Her story sheds light on the unique challenges faced by individuals in the gluten-free community and the need for brands to maintain rigorous quality standards for specialized products. While it began with a missing cheese packet, this story ended with a strengthened sense of community and hope for greater inclusivity. Abby's experience not only addressed a manufacturing issue but also inspired countless others in the gluten-free world to feel seen and supported. Her final words to those who rallied behind her? "Thank you for showing me that we're not alone. Together, we can make sure everyone has a seat—and a plate—at the table." Read more at: people.com

Celiac.com 11/21/2023 - A Los Angeles-based CEO, Taylor Offer, has become a viral sensation on TikTok for an unconventional bagel order he made at a New York City bagel shop. In a video that garnered nearly 4 million views, Offer recounts asking for a "scooped, gluten-free bagel" and claims he was met with strong resistance from the bagel shop worker, who allegedly told him, "I'm not scooping your f–king bagel, bro," and urged him to leave. In the video, Offer then replies: ‘Dude, that’s how I want it,’ and claims that the servers “was like, ‘Get the f–k out of here with that s–t.’” The video sparked a debate online, with some supporting the bagel shop and expressing disdain for scooped bagels, while others questioned the authenticity of the encounter. Some comments commended the bagel shop worker for setting "healthy boundaries." In other videos, Offer continued to stir controversy by listing various Los Angeles dining tropes while in New York. He likened New York City to an avocado, imitated a Valley accent while joking about pizza crust preferences, and, eventually, got a scooped bagel made for him, which he humorously ate on top of a garbage can. In the same video, he declared Courage Bagels from Los Angeles as "the best bagel in the world." The incident reflects the cultural differences in food preferences between Los Angeles and New York, with Offer seemingly poking fun at stereotypical attitudes associated with each city. The videos have garnered some attention and, in a humorous twist, Offer goes on to assert the superiority of Los Angeles bagels, referencing a controversial opinion, reinforced by the New York Times, that California also produces some of the best bagels. The saga serves as a lighthearted commentary on regional food habits and preferences, amplified through the lens of social media. It also serves as a reminder that social media provocateurs might be getting the exact response they were seeking when they place orders that seem designed to irritate or annoy servers. So maybe provoking a strong reaction and/or getting kicked out was part of the plan. What do you think? Is the request reasonable, or offensive? Should Offer just eat half a bagel instead of wasting the inside? Is he being deliberately annoying and provocative? Was the server reasonable? Share your opinions in the comments below. Read more at SFGate.com

Celiac.com 09/28/2023 - Restaurant server and TikToker, Andrew Lopez, recently shared a video highlighting some of his customer pet peeves, labeling them as "Straw Psychos" and "Gluten Goobers." His latest video dropped Friday, and quickly went viral. In it, Lopez goes off on a profanity-laden rant about customers he feels go over the line with their demands. Lopez's first target is customers who request straws before he even has a chance to place their drinks on the table. He expresses frustration, explaining that serving drinks from a tray requires both hands and asks customers to be patient. Irritated About Constant Gluten-Free Requests The second part of his video is devoted to customers who inquire about gluten-free menu options and protocols. He expresses irritation about the constant requests for gluten-free options, particularly from individuals who don't have celiac disease, a legitimate gluten allergy. He criticizes those who suddenly claim to have a gluten allergy because they are following low-carb diets like keto. He argues that going on a diet shouldn't necessitate the extensive preparation processes associated with gluten-free dishes. While Lopez uses humor to vent his frustrations, his video has generated mixed reactions. Some viewers criticized him for complaining about his customers, while others expressed solidarity with his perspective, especially fellow servers who understand the challenges he faces. Some individuals with actual gluten allergies also supported his comments, acknowledging the annoyance of those who adopt gluten-free diets without necessity. In response to the polarized feedback, Lopez hints at the possibility of creating another video to discuss more customer pet peeves in the future. This video highlights the challenges that restaurant servers face when trying to accommodate various customer requests and preferences, and it has sparked a discussion about customer-server dynamics in the hospitality industry. But even though Lopez goes out of his way to exempt people with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity, his video also highlights some of the stereotypical beliefs about people who order gluten-free food, like the idea that they're more sensitive or demanding than other patrons. Are they really more demanding than the average demanding customer? Yes, people can be demanding, but people ordering gluten-free food likely aren't demanding just because they're eating gluten-free. They're likely just demanding to begin with, but so are a lot of folks. At the end of the day, videos like this are good for grabbing attention for the people ranting, but not much else. They don't usually have much positive to contribute to either civility in restaurants, or among this ordering gluten-free food. So, even though they grab our attention, and make the ranters feel better, it's often best to take these overtly public complaints with a grain of salt. Read more at the Dailydot.com