gluten free labeling: still a long road ahead
In its April/May issue, Living Without Magazine published an article detailing the world of gluten free labeling. The author features yours truly in the article – and chronicles my frustration and sadness about the state of affairs with the current labeling “system.” My son sadly was a bit of a guinea pig and there are thousands of other children out there who are suffering because of – to put it plainly – inaction. Last year, I wrote an article about Wellshire Farms, a company owned by Whole Foods who continued to sell (and voluntarily elected NOT to recall) two of their contaminated frozen kiddie items simply because a “recall would constitute an admission of guilt.” How is that for business ethics?
Sadly, there aren’t a huge amount of choices out there for breakfast meats, deli meats, etc that are gluten free, casein free and soy free. However, I’ve made a conscious choice: I’d rather go without than support said company through the purchase of their products.
I was both excited and honored to be asked to contribute my story to Living Without. As a long time subscriber I have come to greatly value the articles, recipes and baking tips. Simply put, the magazine gives me hope, inspires me. Reading about others who have lived a journey that parallels ours is in so many ways comforting. Knowing we are all connected – it’s a powerful thing. For the full article, click here.
Great blog post (and article in Living Without), Stephanie. This is such an important topic and it’s too bad manufacturers don’t take it more seriously. Glad you are bringing it to our attention and thanks for adding the link to the article. I get the magazine, but this is so helpful to others who don’t. Good one!
Melissa
P.S. What a darling photo of a darling little boy. Wow!
Thanks, Melissa. It really is such an important topic. I was frankly shocked that the major news outlets never picked up the Chicago Tribune story. I fail to understand why it isn’t taken more seriously. At the end of the day, there are people’s lives at stake.
Thanks – that’s a pic from a few years ago hiking at Mt Sanitas – my darling little boy is not so little anymore. How they grow so quickly right before our eyes…
Hey Stephanie! As you know from my tweet, I read the article and really appreciated all you had to say. The labeling issues are an ongoing sense of frustration, for me personally and for me as a support group leader. When I give folks guidance, I always have to tell them that it’s a very gray issue–i.e., not black and white. And, of course, that’s not what someone needs to hear when they are starting out an gf diet and already overwelmed. Like you said in your comment to Melissa, people’s lives are at stake. In many ways, it’s a huge shame that gluten reactions are not like peanut reactions for those who are allergic to peanuts. Of course, I know that celiac/gluten intolerance are not allergies, but the point is, peanut allergies are taken seriously. Labels show if their allergen is in a product, etc. it’s inexcusable that labels don’t reflect all gluten, that we don’t have a standard for a “gluten-free” label yet, and that manufacturers do not ensure that products are completely gluten free. Of course, as I’ve stated before, these issues are all compelling reasons to eat real food that’s naturally gluten free. That’s especially true since I have repeatedly gotten ill from trying some products that are labeled gluten free and supposably adhering to the less than 20 ppm standard.
Thanks for this post, Stephanie, and all you do to bring this issue to the forefront!
Shirley
Shirley~
Yeah! It is so nice to see some passion in this area! You hit the nail on the head. It is extremely frustrating that it is not taken seriously. And it does beg the question: why are other allergies/reactions more newsworthy? Not only has gluten taken a back seat but dairy has also. The original Chicago Tribune article also mentioned the numerous (anaphylaxis) ER trips by young children in response to mislabeled dairy consumption. And that oddly enough has not made any waves either (like peanuts, I mean). As a parent, I shudder at the thought of what it is actually going to take to affect some change in this area.
I am, however, confident that the momentum we are gaining within the GF community can only mean good things are ahead for us, in general. Even though we may take a bit of a circuitous route getting there, I will continue to believe that change is possible. By speaking out about it – like you have in your leadership role – is sure to have a huge ripple effect. Awareness is such a huge component of this. And you’re right. it’s probably the last thing newbies want to hear. Understandably, they want to feel comforted, trusting. I’ve been gluten free for over 3 years and I have lost quite a bit of trust because I also have been “glutened” after eating something labeled safe. Like the article stated, I buy less and less packaged. I cook more and more from scratch. It’s the only solution I see, frankly, to get around the issue (and the incredibly high levels of refined sugar, and lack of fiber, and – geez, I could go on and on….:).
Thanks for sharing my passion in this – onward and upward !