In response to a question under CAMary's post about getting a flare from modified food starch, I asked if wheat is NOT on the allergens list for the labeling law, does that make it "reasonably" safe to assume its gf knowing the following that Wayne mentioned.
"Modified food starch is often made from corn, tapioca, and potatoes, and probably a few other odds and ends, in addition to wheat. "
I'm asking because I am as only being gf, I am relying more and more on the allergen labeling to make decisions about "normal" foods in the grocery store. This also goes for the flavorings and others that could be derived from non-gluten sources or could be safe.
I guess my question is more along the lines of how far can we trust the labeling law. Isn't gluten supposed to ultimately make it to the list of allergens listed? Training Geoff has been hard, but he tries hard to get it right, and if I can give him some guidance, as well as guidance for myself, it might be a lot easier for us.
Katy
Food Labeling Law
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kate_ce1995
- Rockhopper Penguin
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- Joined: Wed May 25, 2005 5:53 pm
- Location: Vermont
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kate_ce1995
- Rockhopper Penguin
- Posts: 1321
- Joined: Wed May 25, 2005 5:53 pm
- Location: Vermont
Jean,
That would be GREAT! I think that is definately something that should be in one of the reference sections on this site, because it is going to be helpful at least somewhat to the gf, sf, and df I would think. But it does seem there is a bit of understanding what it means that is important too.
Katy
That would be GREAT! I think that is definately something that should be in one of the reference sections on this site, because it is going to be helpful at least somewhat to the gf, sf, and df I would think. But it does seem there is a bit of understanding what it means that is important too.
Katy
You know Katy -I'm also wondering how informed the people are who make the labeling decisions...
Case and point - Lay's Stax chips (love these by the way!!) Most of the flavors are labeled "naturally free of gluten" (as if *removing* gluten makes it unnatural??)- some like the pizza flavor are not -which is fine...BUT they have the ranch flavor listed as GF - also it says made with *real* Hidden Valley Ranch dressing....well HVR dressing is NOT GF!! So I am avoiding this flavor based on that - but it makes me wonder if they know what it means to put that on their label? Unless they have changed the HVR formula very recently - people who are unaware could be exposing themselves....
Mary
Case and point - Lay's Stax chips (love these by the way!!) Most of the flavors are labeled "naturally free of gluten" (as if *removing* gluten makes it unnatural??)- some like the pizza flavor are not -which is fine...BUT they have the ranch flavor listed as GF - also it says made with *real* Hidden Valley Ranch dressing....well HVR dressing is NOT GF!! So I am avoiding this flavor based on that - but it makes me wonder if they know what it means to put that on their label? Unless they have changed the HVR formula very recently - people who are unaware could be exposing themselves....
Mary
OK, I posted the labeling law, and a summary, in the diet information.
Here are two things in it I find interesting:
Food is supposed to be labeled by Jan. 1, 2006, but:
"In other words, this legislation does not require food products to be pulled from the marketplace and relabeled in conformance with the requirements of this legislation if they were labeled before January 1, 2006."
I guess that means we will still have to be vigulant for a while after Jan. I wonder how long products are kept on the shelves?
I wonder if we can get in on the CDC research. This law is for food allergies, I wonder if our intolerances are included in the law's definition of allergy. Celiac disease is, so why not us? I wonder if Dr. Fine has been contacted?
"Food allergy surveillance, research, and response
The committee is concerned that the prevalence of food allergies is uncertain and the incidence of clinically significant and serious adverse events is not being systematically monitored. In response to these concerns, the legislation requires the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to better capture information on the prevalence of food allergies, the incidence of clinically significant or serious adverse events related to food allergies, and the use of different modes of treatment for and prevention of allergic responses to foods. In addition, the legislation requires the National Institutes of Health to convene a panel of nationally recognized experts to review current clinical research efforts and develop recommendations for enhancing and coordinating research activities concerning food allergies."
Love Jean
Here are two things in it I find interesting:
Food is supposed to be labeled by Jan. 1, 2006, but:
"In other words, this legislation does not require food products to be pulled from the marketplace and relabeled in conformance with the requirements of this legislation if they were labeled before January 1, 2006."
I guess that means we will still have to be vigulant for a while after Jan. I wonder how long products are kept on the shelves?
I wonder if we can get in on the CDC research. This law is for food allergies, I wonder if our intolerances are included in the law's definition of allergy. Celiac disease is, so why not us? I wonder if Dr. Fine has been contacted?
"Food allergy surveillance, research, and response
The committee is concerned that the prevalence of food allergies is uncertain and the incidence of clinically significant and serious adverse events is not being systematically monitored. In response to these concerns, the legislation requires the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to better capture information on the prevalence of food allergies, the incidence of clinically significant or serious adverse events related to food allergies, and the use of different modes of treatment for and prevention of allergic responses to foods. In addition, the legislation requires the National Institutes of Health to convene a panel of nationally recognized experts to review current clinical research efforts and develop recommendations for enhancing and coordinating research activities concerning food allergies."
Love Jean
Hi all,
Welp, hopefully, these companies will have the allergen labeling in effect long prior to the deadline.
I really don't think they can take a chance on waiting til very close to the first, but if products are still unmarked on shelves after that date, that might be a clue that it's been sitting there too long.
Mary,
I've seen things like you mentioned about the HVR dressing.
What I think could happen with those is that, since they've labeled it gluten free, that perhaps just the HVR flavor added to the potato product doesn't have the gluten while the dressing still does. After all, they're not using the whole dressing, just the flavor, and they could get that without using gluten, I think.
Think the merchants are really coming to the realization, quickly, that there's a huge market out there for gluten-free and other-free products, so we should be having more and more choices as time goes on, and in a hurry, I think.
Wouldn't it be nice if companies would just go ahead an do the gf labelling now since they have to do the relabeling now anyway for the allergens? Perhaps many of them will.
Yours, Luce
Welp, hopefully, these companies will have the allergen labeling in effect long prior to the deadline.
I really don't think they can take a chance on waiting til very close to the first, but if products are still unmarked on shelves after that date, that might be a clue that it's been sitting there too long.
Mary,
I've seen things like you mentioned about the HVR dressing.
What I think could happen with those is that, since they've labeled it gluten free, that perhaps just the HVR flavor added to the potato product doesn't have the gluten while the dressing still does. After all, they're not using the whole dressing, just the flavor, and they could get that without using gluten, I think.
Think the merchants are really coming to the realization, quickly, that there's a huge market out there for gluten-free and other-free products, so we should be having more and more choices as time goes on, and in a hurry, I think.
Wouldn't it be nice if companies would just go ahead an do the gf labelling now since they have to do the relabeling now anyway for the allergens? Perhaps many of them will.
Yours, Luce
Jean,
Hopefully, at least healthfood stores will have a good way for us to recognize the updated products.
Hey, maybe we should ask the managers how we'll know that, and at least the better ones might be able to come up with a good system.
Even at the big chain, Whole Foods, sometimes the managers can do things on their own, and if they become popular, it becomes store's policy.
I know that our Bellaire location of WFs has manager who puts a big red label on the shelf right under where each product sits -- "GLUTEN." He's not 100 percent correct on a very few items, I don't think, but it does help me to spot knew products, so hopefully, it'll become store policy to do that soon at all their stores.
By the way, do you think they'd hire an old person like me at one of their stores? At least I know I'll be old before I'll be able to return to work!! Ha! Everyone there seems sooo young, don't they?
Hmm, wonder if employees get discounts?
This is pure speculation as I have no earthly idea what I'm going to feel like doing then, if anything.
Perhaps I could be their multiple allergen expert! I should really know my stuff by then, shouldn't I?
Yours, Luce
Hopefully, at least healthfood stores will have a good way for us to recognize the updated products.
Hey, maybe we should ask the managers how we'll know that, and at least the better ones might be able to come up with a good system.
Even at the big chain, Whole Foods, sometimes the managers can do things on their own, and if they become popular, it becomes store's policy.
I know that our Bellaire location of WFs has manager who puts a big red label on the shelf right under where each product sits -- "GLUTEN." He's not 100 percent correct on a very few items, I don't think, but it does help me to spot knew products, so hopefully, it'll become store policy to do that soon at all their stores.
By the way, do you think they'd hire an old person like me at one of their stores? At least I know I'll be old before I'll be able to return to work!! Ha! Everyone there seems sooo young, don't they?
Hmm, wonder if employees get discounts?
This is pure speculation as I have no earthly idea what I'm going to feel like doing then, if anything.
Perhaps I could be their multiple allergen expert! I should really know my stuff by then, shouldn't I?
Yours, Luce
Luce!
By then? You ALREADY are the expert here!
I think that would be a perfect next career for you. Or how about this......you can start on it now in all your free time (teehee)..... write up a guide that managers in stores can use to understand multiple allergens!
Love,
Polly
By then? You ALREADY are the expert here!
I think that would be a perfect next career for you. Or how about this......you can start on it now in all your free time (teehee)..... write up a guide that managers in stores can use to understand multiple allergens!Love,
Polly
Blessed are they who can laugh at themselves, for they shall never cease to be amused.