Move over Ralph Nader, there’s an independent voice in the gluten free community.
Tricia Thompson MS RD runs the Gluten Free Watchdog website. She routinely pulls gluten free food off shelves and tests it for gluten.
She has her work cut out for her. The new gluten free labeling law of 2014, although a first step toward identifying safe GF products, is a soft law. It doesn’t require manufacturers to test, doesn’t require a particular type of test or outside tests, and doesn’t regulate the frequency of testing. If labeled GF, the final product simply cannot contain 20 parts per million (ppm) or more of gluten.
Before the new law, only oats certified GF by an outside agency were allowed on the strict gluten free diet. Now General Mills will be mechanically cleaning regular oats and as long as they can prove them to be under 20ppm, they can be labeled GF.
That means GM will be launching SEVEN “new” GF cereals this fall—FIVE flavors of Cheerios, CHEX CLUSTERS FRUIT AND OATS, and even LUCKY CHARMS (which will be labeled GF under the nutrition panel).
Tricia Thompson recommends sticking with certified GF oat cereals. Should we follow her recommendation? Continue reading “The Gluten Free Watchdog Takes a Position on Oats: A review of “GF Cheerios: Take Two””
Category: News
The Celiac Project and How Kickstarter Helped.
The Celiac Project is a dynamic, first-of-its-kind hour long documentary about life before and after the diagnosis of celiac disease. The inspiration for this film came after the director and Evanston native, Michael Frolichstein, struggled with a series of “mystery aliments” before finally being diagnosed with celiac disease at age 40. Michael was shocked to learn that this auto-immune disease, which affects 1% of the US population, is 83% undiagnosed or misdiagnosed. His journey to meet others who had suffered, as well as get answers from experts, led him to Kickstarter, a public internet funding site, where he raised $35,000 last summer to produce and take his documentary on the road. He’s already piqued the interest of Boulder Brands (owners of Udi’s and Glutino) who hosted his premier in Colorado this spring and who want to sponsor snacks at future screenings. Then, a couple of weeks ago, his hometown library in Evanston Illinois hosted a screening with the filmmaker and a medical panel for a lively Q&A.
The documentary ultimately explores what we can do individually and as a society to advance the conversation and raise awareness about the disease. See a trailer of the film below or learn more at:
Facebook: www.facebook.com/celiacproject
Pillsbury Funfetti
Just when you thought you’d seen everything!
Joan spotted Gluten Free Hungry Jack Funfetti Pancake Mix at Marc’s for $2.99:
I also saw the Gluten Free Funfetti Cake Mix and Funfetti Sugar Cookie Mix at Walmart.
Gluten Free Summer Tips
Traveling in the USA?
Would you like to know where 100% gluten free restaurants and bakeries are by state?
Go to 100% GF Restaurants/Bakeries Here.
Taking in an Indian’s game at Progressive Field?
Head for the concession stand behind section 163.
Here is the link.
Need to find gluten free ice cream brands?
Go to GF Ice Cream Brands Here.
Looking for GF Hot Dog Brands?
Go to GF Hot Dogs Here.
What gluten free summer tips can you share?
Happy summer!
Host Family Needed for Exchange Student with Celiac Disease
We received a request from an organization looking to place an exchange student with celiac disease in a US home. If you can help, please contact them using the information below. We have no additional information on this so please contact them directly with questions.
World Heritage International Student Exchange Program is currently placing our high school international exchange students who are scheduled to arrive in August/September with host families across the U.S. In this group of extraordinary students is a young lady from Spain named Maria. Maria has celiac disease. She is used to cooking her own gluten-free food, but of course it would be much easier for Maria if she could live with a family who follows the same type of diet. We would love to place Maria with a wonderful family who understands her dietary needs and can fully support her during her exchange program.
Anyone who is interested in learning more about our program and how they can host Maria for the 2015-16 school year can contact me at 855-967-5399 or email me at kristi@world-heritage.org. You can also check us out at www.world-heritage.org. Thank you for your help!
Kristi Habila
World Heritage Coordinator
Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, Kentucky
A WORLD OF UNDERSTANDING THROUGH CROSS CULTURAL AND EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS
World Heritage’s top priority is keeping our students safe. The listing below, with cartoon images, is intended to give you an impression of our students, while providing for their security. Full student profiles, with photos, are available to prospective host families during the application process. Please go to www.whhosts.com for additional information on selecting the student who will become a member of your family. Thank you for your commitment to student safety while you help make a dream come true!
Maria (15)
Female, SPAIN
Languages: Spanish, English, French
Siblings: None
Mother: Housewife
Father: Railway worker
Religion: Christian
Interests: skiing, basketball, swimming, running, baseball, sailing, music, celiac
Letter to my Host Family:
An active extrovert who is always smiling…that’s how I describe myself. I’m 15 years old and live in the northwest of Spain with my parents and grandparents. I enjoy doing things with my parents. My dad and I sometimes run together and then go to the pool to relax. Or my mom and I will watch a film. I have a poodle named Otto who I love to spend time with. I love sports and try to participate in sports whenever I can. I also spend a lot of time with my friends. We do things like playing games, going to the mall, going to the cinema or going to the park. I love to cook but since I can’t eat gluten I make everything gluten-free. I always make brownies for my friends and family! I said I like sports. In the winter my family goes skiing. In the summer I sail and go fishing with my grandma. I also enjoy basketball, baseball and swimming. Music is also something I enjoy. I took piano lessons for 6 years and only stopped beca! use I no longer had time for it with my studies. I don’t have any brothers or sisters but I enjoy children and often babysit for my neighbors. After high school I would like to study medicine and become either a surgeon or a pediatrician. I know my year in the USA will be difficult at first, but I am very excited about going. The opportunity will make me independent, expose me to more cultures and allow me to meet many different friends. I will try hard to adapt and fit in. Thank you for your hospitality and I hope you are going to be happy with me!