Wednesday, April 28, 2010

Food Fair this Saturday!

Here's a reminder that the annual Portland Metro & Willamette Valley Gluten-Free Food Fair is this coming Saturday.

It is held at All Saints Catholic Church on 39th and Glisan from 11AM-2PM. The entry is $5 a person, or $10 for a family. See the post below for detils.

Come check out the 27 vendors signed up. They range from local bakeries, to resturants, stores, and products. Yummy samples will be apleanty and many vendors will be selling their products, so plan to stock up. We will have 3 raffles, going on at noon, 1pm and 1:45pm!


Just a note: GIG Portland is still meeting May 8th at Legacy Emanuel Hospital at our normal time of 10 to noon. Our speaker will be Wendy Cohan, RN.

Sunday, April 18, 2010

Study for FDA, from GIG National


Seeking Participants
for a Research Study on
Gluten-Free Claims on Food Labels
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is seeking adults diagnosed with celiac disease or gluten-intolerance or caregivers to such individuals to participate in a research study on their grocery shopping habits. Participants will be asked to take an Internet survey, which will take approximately 10 minutes to complete.


This Survey is available at www.synovate.net/forgluten

Please contact Katherine Kosa at kkosa@rti.org or 1-800-334-8571, extension 23091, if you have any questions about the study. To request a paper copy of the survey, please call 1-877-4GLUTN1


Monday, April 12, 2010

Mccormick & Company Recalls Mccormick Fajitas Seasoning Mix Due To Unlabeled Wheat And Milk Ingredients

Company Contact:
Christopher Stevenson
410-527-6935



FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – April 07, 2010 – SPARKS, MD – McCormick & Company, Incorporated (NYSE:MKC) has announced a voluntary recall of McCormick Fajitas Seasoning Mix, with UPC Code 5210002121 and “BEST BY” dates of JAN 16 12 AH and JAN 16 12 CH. McCormick Fajitas Seasoning Mix packages with these date codes contain undeclared wheat and milk ingredients. People who have allergies to wheat or milk run the risk of serious or life threatening allergic reactions if they consume this product.

The McCormick Fajita Seasoning Mix packages were distributed to grocery stores nationally beginning on February 15, 2010. The product is available in 1.12 oz. pouches, and the date code is found printed in black on the back, at the bottom of the pouch. The “BEST BY” dates of JAN1612AH and CH are the only date codes affected by the recall.

The recall was initiated after it was discovered that product was mispackaged, and as a result, the ingredient statement on the package did not list wheat and milk as ingredients.

No illnesses or allergic reactions have been reported to date. No other McCormick products are involved in this recall.

All grocery outlets that sell McCormick Fajitas Seasoning Mix packages have been notified to remove the affected product (UPC Code 5210002121 and a “BEST BY” date of JAN1612AH and JAN1612CH) from their shelves immediately. Consumers do not need to return the product to the store where it was purchased. Instead, consumers are urged to contact McCormick’s Consumer Affairs team at 1-800-632-5847, weekdays from 9:30 AM to 9:00 PM, or weekends from 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM (Eastern Time), for a replacement or full refund, as well as instructions on what to do with the product.

This recall is being made with the knowledge of the Food and Drug Administration. The company is also issuing an alert through the Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network.

Thursday, April 8, 2010

Bob's Red Mill Events

Bob's Red Mill has new Gluten Free products along with a giveaway!
We are more than delighted to announce that we are now producing Gluten Free Quick Cooking Rolled Oats and Gluten Free Whole Grain Oat Flour. Both of these new products are produced from the highest quality gluten free oats grown on dedicated oat-growing fields by a cooperative of 200 farms. Each farm delivery is sampled many times and tested with an R5 ELISA gluten test to ensure the absence of gluten.

To celebrate these new additions to our gluten free line, we’ve partnered with Carol Fenster to bring you an awesome giveaway. Carol was a huge advocate for bringing these products to you, so we’re giving away 10 autographed copies of Carol’s beautiful 1000 Gluten Free Recipes. To sweeten the pot, we’re adding a package of gluten free oat flour and gluten free quick oats for each of our 10 winners.

Check out their website for more details: http://www.bobsredmill.com/blog/2010/03/31/new-gluten-free-products-and-a-giveaway/


Also at Bob's, something to look forward to:
Carol Fenster, author of Gluten Free Quick & Easy and 1,000 Gluten Free Recipes, is coming to Bob's Red Mil to teach some cooking classes.

The two April times are booked, but they have added a June date.
June 17, 2010
5-7pm

http://www.bobsredmill.com/cooking-classes.html

Wednesday, April 7, 2010

News Bites

In thanks to our friend, Connie Sarros for these interesting news bits...

Starbucks
Several different celiac blogs have announced recently that Starbuck's again carries gluten-free snacks. I just got off the phone with Starbuck's (1-800-235-2883). They said they carry Kind Bars (made by Kind Healthy Snacks), which the manufacturer states are gluten-free. As for Starbuck's own baked products, they will not claim that any of their foods or desserts are gluten-free due to cross contamination issues.

Contential Airlines
As of March 15, 2010, Continental Airlines stopped offering gluten-free meal options. I asked their representative if anything can be done to reverse this decision. She recommended that as many people as possible send an email requesting that gluten-free items be reinstated. Celiacs have banded together before and your letters have changed outcomes. Make your voice heard by emailing the head of Continental Airlines: Mr. Jeffery A. Smisek, CEO at jeff.smisek@coair.com.

More about Contential Airlines from Triumph Dining

My first transatlantic flight after my celiac diagnosis had been booked long before I was ever tested for the condition. The flight was with Delta who had just recently dropped gluten-free meals from their service. After a long and extremely frustrating battle with many representatives from Delta, I finally settled on ordering a vegetarian meal, knowing there might be nothing safe for me to eat in it. Since I was packing plenty of food for dinner, breakfast the next morning and snacks in between, it didn’t really matter what the vegetarian meal contained.

Someone used to ordering special meals on flights suggested I order two vegetarian meals. If they lost only one of them, I’d still have something to eat – maybe. Sure enough, on the flight over, they had only one special meal even though it stated on the tickets we both had special meals ordered. I was able to have salad with my own dressing and some fruit from the airline meal. I had packed a sandwich, peanut butter and crackers, dried fruit and a brownie for dinner alone. I could not eat ll the food I brought for that meal so my husband happily helped me finish it. For breakfast the next morning, other passengers were given a hard, cold roll and a green (literally) banana. My breakfast consisted of a hard boiled egg, some cheese, fruit and ready-cooked bacon. I remember the stares from some around me and comments from people who smelled my tasty bacon that could not see my delightful gluten-free breakfast. It was amusing, to say the least.

On the flight back, neither of us got the special meals we’d requested, but I’d expected as much by then. The Paris airport offered a safe pre-packaged salad and some chips. As always, I had my own dressing packet for the salad. I also had a backpack full of gluten-free food I’d packed for the trip, that I didn’t need to eat on vacation. Almost every person I’ve spoken to since that trip has reported problems with their special meal request with various American based airlines. Apparently Delta reintroduced gluten-free meals but includes things like Rice Krispies in the gluten-free breakfast. Rice Krispies contain gluten in the form of barley malt.

Last week on the celiac listserv, Janet Y. Rinhart, Chairman of the Houston Celiac Support Group, posted some annoying news about Continental Airlines. She gave me her permission to post some of her comments here.

CONTINENTAL AIRLINES has discontinued special gluten-free meals on international flights. This can be anxiety-ridden for celiacs if they do not know and do not come prepared on international flights. Because of security concerns and customs, it may be hard to even bring food, at least enough for that flight and a return flight. And there are few GF choices after Security. Of course, you don’t know what is available when you are abroad as well. Please join me in writing your opinion and encourage Continental to reinstate their gluten-free meals. I think they are keeping the vegan selection, but vegan is mainly a choice. A gluten-free diet is not a choice for celiacs; it is the only way to stay healthy. It is the ONLY treatment for celiac disease.

Continental CEO e-mail: jeff.smisek@coair.com

or write to: Mr. Jeffery A. Smisek, CEO, Continental Airlines, P.O. Box 4607, Houston, Texas 77210-4607

Customer service phone # 800.WE.CARE2 (800.932.2732)


Well said Janet. In addition to offering a vegan meal, Continental Airlines also offers the following special meals for international flights only – Hindu, Muslim, Vegan, Kosher and Jain. As reported on ABC News earlier this week, the airline does not offer free meal service on any flight under six hours. Let’s see how much Continental Airlines really cares about what their customers think. Consider joining forces with Janet and making a difference in how the gluten-free community is treated by the airline. It’s great that the airline makes the above mentioned meals available (on transatlantic flights) to people who need them. However, having to eat gluten-free is not a choice for most of us and it seems a bit absurd that the gluten-free meal (a meal prescribed for a medical condition) would be one that was recently dropped from the special meal line-up.

Tuesday, April 6, 2010

Glutino Food Group Issues Allergy Alert on Undeclared Egg Product in Raisin Bread

Contact:
Jessica Benjamin/617.939.1987

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - April 1, 2010 - The Glutino Food Group of Lawrence, Mass. is voluntarily recalling Glutino Raisin Bread because it may contain undeclared egg product as one of the ingredients. Consumers who have an allergy or sensitivity to eggs run the risk of serious or life threatening allergic reaction if they consume these products

The US product comes in a 22.6 ounce clear plastic bag marked with UPC code 6-78523 03015-8. Only one lot number of Glutino Raisin Bread (Best Before 08OCT10) in which egg is not declared on the label is affected by this alert. The affected product was distributed in the US only.

Glutino Raisin Bread is distributed nationwide in retail stores in the frozen food section.

No illnesses have been reported to date.

The recall was initiated after it was discovered that the product's UPC was not scanning correctly in retail locations. The product was placed in packaging intended for a different product that did not list egg as an ingredient. Subsequent investigation indicates the problem was caused by a temporary issue in the company's packaging processes. No other products have been affected.

Consumers who have purchased Glutino Raisin Bread are asked to return the product to the place of purchase to receive a full refund. Consumers with questions may contact Glutino directly at 1-800-54-FOODS, 9:00 - 5:00 ET, Monday through Friday.

For media inquiries, please contact Jessica Benjamin at 617.939.8417, Monday through Friday 8:30 – 5:30 ET.

Monday, April 5, 2010

Zatarain's Recalls Original Dirty Rice Mix Package Due to Unlabeled Wheat and Barley Ingredients

Contact:
Dave Mixon (410-527-8491)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - April 1, 2010 - Gretna, LA - Zatarain's has announced a voluntary recall of Zatarain's Original Dirty Rice Mix, 8 oz. package with UPC Code 7142909535 and a "BEST BY" date of JAN 19 12H. Zatarain's Original Dirty Rice Mix packages with this date code contain undeclared wheat and barley ingredients. People who have allergies to wheat or barley run the risk of serious or life threatening allergic reactions if they consume this product.

The Zatarain's Original Dirty Rice Mix package was distributed to limited grocery stores in Florida, Michigan and Virginia beginning February 15, 2010. The product is available in 8 oz. boxes, and the date code is found on the bottom of the package. The "BEST BY" date of JAN1912H is the only date code affected by the recall.

The recall was initiated after it was discovered that product was mispackaged, and as a result, the ingredient statement on the package did not list wheat and barley as an ingredient.

No illnesses or allergic reactions have been reported to date. No other Zatarain's products are involved in this recall.

All grocery outlets that sell Zatarain's New Orleans Style Dirty Rice Mix packages have been notified to remove the affected product (UPC Code 7142909535 and a "BEST BY" date of JAN1912H) from their shelves immediately. Consumers do not need to return the product to the store where it was purchased. Instead, consumers are urged to contact Zatarain's Consumer Affairs at 1-877-837-3796, weekdays from 9:30 AM to 5:00 PM Eastern Time, for a replacement or full refund, as well as instructions on what to do with the product.

This recall is being made with the knowledge of the Food and Drug Administration. The company is also issuing an alert through the Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network.

Creating Convenience

Living in a world that doesn't cater to someone with as many food allergies as myself I often find that what's missing most from my life isn't pizza and bagels but the convenience of "easy" food. Pretty much everything I eat I make myself, often from scratch. One of the things I used to really love was those little packets of brown sugar & maple flavored oatmeal. They were easy, portable and tasty. Now of course no such product is readily available to me. So what's a girl to do? Why, make your own of course!

Because I garden and have excess produce I've recently gotten into canning as a way to save the harvest. In the off season those empty mason jars really do start to make a bother of themselves. So I've found ways of putting them to good use in my quest for convenience.

In an effort to replace my hot oatmeal I've been eating Bob's Red Mill, Buckwheat Groats. In and of themselves they're rather bland and gooey. Not to say I don't like that in a hot breakfast cereal but I also like variety too. It's the spice of life after all! Also I'm lazy on most days so what I want is to grab a "flavor" off the shelf, pour it in a bowl, add water, nuke, and add (non-dairy) creamer. Like batch cooking I do this about twice a month. I get as many jars as I can find or just fill them till I run out of groats.

BASE RECIPE
1/4 cup scoop of groats
1 TBL brown sugar
1 tsp ground flax seed
1 tsp pumpkin pie spice or cinnamon or cardamum depending...

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...then comes the fun part!

To one jar I might add craisins, another jar gets coco and instant coffee, another chopped dates and walnuts, I might leave leave one plain. One of these days I really want to try a coconut flakes, cashews and chocolate chips. I just keep forgetting to put the coconut and cashews on the grocery list. The variations are endless... any dried fruit, nuts, seeds, etc... will work just fine. The limit is only your imagination!

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Thursday, April 1, 2010

Gluten Free Easter Candy

Easter is this Sunday! Wondering which candies are gluten-free? A great site to check out is http://celiacfamily.com/easter-candy/ Below I am including a concise version of their lists.

Safe Gluten-Free Candy

Jelly Beans
Gimbal’s Jelly Beans
Jelly Belly Jelly Beans (including original and sour flavors)
Just Born Jelly Beans (including original fruit flavored, licorice flavored (black), berry flavored, and spice flavored)
Jolly Rancher Jelly Beans (including fruit smoothie flavors)
Lifesaver Jellybeans
Mike and Ike Jelly Beans



Other Easter Candy
Almond Joy Eggs
Andes Creme de Menthe Thins
Brach’s Jelly Bean Nougats

Lifesaver hard candies – Original and Pastels
Lifesaver Eggsortment (including jellybeans, gummies and pops)
Lifesaver Gummies – Original, and Bunnies and Eggs

M&M’s — original, peanut, Speck-tacular Eggs, and Bunny Mix
Mounds Eggs (as found Mar. 2009)
Nestle’s Nest Eggs (Nestle’s Crunch Nest Eggs are not gluten-free.)
Nestle’s milk chocolate Nest Eggs
Nestle’s creamy caramel Nest Eggs
Nestle’s Butterfinger chocolate Nest Eggs
Nestle’s Butterfinger Creme Eggs

Sixlets
Skittles eggs and fun-size
Smarties candy rolls “Contain none of the following: gluten (from wheat, barley, oats and rye), milk, egg, fish, Crustacean shellfish, tree nuts, wheat, peanuts, or soybeans.”
Snickers mini’s
Sour Patch Bunnies
Starburst fruit chews – funsize
Swedish Fish Eggs soft and chewy candy
Sunny Seed Drops chocolate covered sunflower seeds
Tootsie Rolls (including midgees and fruit rolls)
Tootsie Pops
Wonka Everlasting Gobstopper Eggbreakers
Wonka Giant Pixy Stix
Wonka Hoppin’ Nerds
Wonka Runts Freckled Eggs
York Peppermint Patties


And the list goes on, check out the website at http://celiacfamily.com/easter-candy/ for the full list!