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aklap
Joined: 02 Oct 2004
Posts: 8512
Location: WI, USA
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 Posted: Tue Mar 11, 2008 12:48 pm Post subject: What FALCPA Means for GF Food Shopping |
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While it does not seem like it, August is coming. This is when the final ruling will be set as to the meaning of GF when it comes to labeling food in the US.
Here's some more info:
http://celiacdisease.about.com/od/glutenfreefoodshopping/a/FALCPA.htm
About the author: Kathy Lapid.
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Al
“We cannot all do great things, but we can do small things with great love.” Mother Teresa |
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Demo
Joined: 16 Nov 2005
Posts: 271
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| Posted: Wed Mar 12, 2008 11:00 am Post subject: |
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| Very informative Al. Thanks. |
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celiacmaine-iac
Joined: 19 Dec 2007
Posts: 668
Location: Maine
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| Posted: Wed Mar 12, 2008 11:33 am Post subject: |
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From the article:
| Quote: | If a Product Is Gluten-Free, Will Manufacturers Have to Say So?
No. Use of the "gluten-free" label on gluten-free foods will be voluntary. |
Maybe I'm dense (or pessimistic), but I just don't see how this is going to change things that much for us. For one thing, labeling foods as GF will still be voluntary. So if company XYZ has not been forthcoming with info about the GF status of their food so far, why would they start now? How many companies will be interested in incurring the added cost for proving their product is GF?
It still does not require disclosure of the presence of barley, rye and oats, unless they state the product is GF. It seems to me that the labeling of WBRO for every food product (and ingredient within the product), and whether the product was produced on dedicated lines would be far more helpful for us. Before my diagnosis, I believed that everything in a food was listed in the ingredients. Heck, with the length of some of the lists, it should have been so! 
The only thing that I can see that might change is this. If there were companies that were afraid to call a product GF because there was no standard set for PPM of gluten (the whole CYA thing), they might be willing to label as such now.
I'd love to hear what the rest of you think this will mean for us. Maybe there's something I'm just not understanding.
Steph |
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aklap
Joined: 02 Oct 2004
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Location: WI, USA
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ostrich
Joined: 30 Mar 2006
Posts: 4143
Location: Nebraska
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| Posted: Wed Mar 12, 2008 12:40 pm Post subject: |
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| aklap wrote: | | The GF food market is expected to reach 1.7 billion dollars by 2010. It's probably one the fastest growing markets. [Not that this is all a good thing in the long run]. I do think there'll be some incentive to having GF labeling. |
That's what I was going to say. Companies exist to make money. If they need to spend a few more $$ to change their label in exchange for reaching more (CD) people, why not?
Plus, there's a ton of foods that're naturally GF. Now a package of carrots can have good health and GF stickers on it.
However, you're right Steph: if a company doesn't want to disclose that information now (like Hershey's), they probably won't do it in the future. They prize their secret ingredients that much.
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celiacmaine-iac
Joined: 19 Dec 2007
Posts: 668
Location: Maine
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| Posted: Wed Mar 12, 2008 1:08 pm Post subject: |
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Thanks for the feedback! Seems like it's coming down to the fact that money talks, though I'm still not convinced that there's that much incentive there. $1.7 billion (and growing) is a big chunk of change, but how big in the total picture of the food industry? I think in terms of small companies serving mostly health-food stores, that it's a good thing.
I guess my question would be this. Obviously the FDA is aware that there is a problem with food-labeling for celiacs. Knowing our government, they probably spent mucho $$$ to figure this out, and then come up with a plan(FALCPA). So why in the name of Harry, didn't they do something meaningful as far as labeling? I can see where the standard of PPM will be helpful, but they could have done the whole thing, and been done with it for good....?????
Steph |
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cruelshoes
Joined: 23 Sep 2005
Posts: 2506
Location: Washington State
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| Posted: Wed Mar 12, 2008 2:13 pm Post subject: |
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I think the only real positive step that is going to come out of it is that there will be an agreed upon definition of what gluten free means. It still does not solve the problem of manufacturers not being willing to disclose their so-called "proprietary" natural flavors. It does not address the problem of shared manufacturing lines.
From what I am reading in the proposed legislation (haven't read all of it - makes my head hurt), the manufacturers do not have to test the food in order to call it GF. So if a product is produced with what should be GF ingredients that have somehow been comtaminated with gluten in growing, storing or processing, can they still call it GF? I would have much more confidence in a gluten free label if they were required to test the food in question.
Also, oats are not considered a prohibited grain. So that means cereals like Lucky Charms that do not contain any gluten ingredients other than mainstream oats may be contaminated could still be considered GF and bear a GF label.
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-Colleen
Dx 8/05 via bloodwork/biopsy
10-YO son Dx 11/05 via bloodwork/biopsy
Daughters (12 and 2) have neg. bloodwork
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aklap
Joined: 02 Oct 2004
Posts: 8512
Location: WI, USA
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| Posted: Wed Mar 12, 2008 5:55 pm Post subject: |
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| celiacmaine-iac wrote: | | Thanks for the feedback! Seems like it's coming down to the fact that money talks, though I'm still not convinced that there's that much incentive there. $1.7 billion (and growing) is a big chunk of change, but how big in the total picture of the food industry? I think in terms of small companies serving mostly health-food stores, that it's a good thing. |
I wondered how big 1.7 billion was too in the grand scheme of things. I heard on the radio just today about ConAgra [I don't know when this snippet was produced, so I don't the accuracy of the statement]. Their sales were 200 million. ConAgra is a biggie in the biz. I't be interesting to see what Kraft's sales are. Hmmmm.....looks like a trip to the investor site is in order 
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Al
“We cannot all do great things, but we can do small things with great love.” Mother Teresa |
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aklap
Joined: 02 Oct 2004
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Location: WI, USA
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celiacmaine-iac
Joined: 19 Dec 2007
Posts: 668
Location: Maine
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| Posted: Wed Mar 12, 2008 7:21 pm Post subject: |
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I was just getting ready to post this when I saw Al's figures come up for Kraft , C-A, and Hersheys. Now it makes more sense. :
I wonder if the radio piece was correct? Con-Agra certainly is one of the biggies in the food industry, and 200 million. seems low. That would only account for about $1.00 in merchandise per year, per person in the US. That just doesn't jive....
I also wonder, because Con-Agra and Kraft are such big companies, if the celiac dollar means that much to them in terms of sales? The way I see it they are just very responsible companies who operate within a very ethical framework. For that reason alone, I'll buy from them. It is very good to know that there are companies we can trust, and I think we should support companies like that whenever possible.
Thanks for the research Al.
Steph |
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nancw
Joined: 04 Oct 2006
Posts: 834
Location: Denver, CO
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| Posted: Wed Mar 12, 2008 7:47 pm Post subject: |
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I'm confused by Hain Celestial. They own so many brands of better-than-average foods yet they don't have allergen info on any of them. I am waiting for an email back to my query. I hope they have a good explanation. I expect more from a company like them.
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Nance
gluten, dairy, soy, rice, yeast and 99% grain-free |
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aklap
Joined: 02 Oct 2004
Posts: 8512
Location: WI, USA
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| Posted: Wed Mar 12, 2008 8:30 pm Post subject: |
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Here's what I got in Jan 07
| Quote: | Thank you for taking the time to contact us regarding our Terra products. We apologize for the delay in our reply and appreciate your patience. We strive to maintain the highest quality products and we appreciate your patronage.
The Hain Celestial Group's labeling declares major allergens (peanuts, soybeans, milk, eggs, fish, crustaceans, tree nuts, and wheat) and we follow the U.S. FDA's regulations. In addition, our labeling always declares gluten containing ingredients. We recognize the serious nature of the allergen issue and we strive to minimize risk.
Both major and minor ingredients of all products, as well as all processing procedures and equipment, are closely scrutinized and all potential allergen issues as determined by the Hain Celestial Group are declared on our labeling.
We assure you, the consumer, that strict manufacturing processes and procedures are in place and that each manufacturing facility has active allergen control programs.
Terra products generally do not contain any gluten containing ingredients. All allergy inducing ingredient is stated
On the label. Please read the label thoroughly before you purchase. Terra makes a variety of products and it is
not possible to review each one for the ingredients.
Thank you for your continued support of The Hain Celestial Group. If we can be of further assistance, please feel free to contact us at 1-800-434-4246, Monday through Friday from 7AM - 5PM Mountain Time.
Loretta
Consumer Relations Representative
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Al
“We cannot all do great things, but we can do small things with great love.” Mother Teresa |
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nancw
Joined: 04 Oct 2006
Posts: 834
Location: Denver, CO
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| Posted: Wed Mar 12, 2008 9:07 pm Post subject: |
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Thanks Al. I should have been more specific: they don't put potential cc info on their stuff. I like the Terra chips (perhaps too much) since I found I seem to tolerate them. Several other brands of theirs I shy away from because I don't know about the manufacturing processes.
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Nance
gluten, dairy, soy, rice, yeast and 99% grain-free |
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ostrich
Joined: 30 Mar 2006
Posts: 4143
Location: Nebraska
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| Posted: Thu Mar 13, 2008 6:56 am Post subject: |
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| celiacmaine-iac wrote: | | I also wonder, because Con-Agra and Kraft are such big companies, if the celiac dollar means that much to them in terms of sales? The way I see it they are just very responsible companies who operate within a very ethical framework. For that reason alone, I'll buy from them. It is very good to know that there are companies we can trust, and I think we should support companies like that whenever possible. |
And you'd probably tell your friends about how awesome they are, right? Or maybe post it on here?
Word-of-mouth sales are still critical to any company, even large ones like Kraft and Con Agra. Today's marketing hasn't been able to replace it yet. Plus opinions like that can lead to brand loyalty: "I love product X by Y company. Maybe I'll like their product Z too." So in some respects they're worth more than straight dollars.
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celiacmaine-iac
Joined: 19 Dec 2007
Posts: 668
Location: Maine
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| Posted: Thu Mar 13, 2008 7:41 am Post subject: |
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Os said:
| Quote: | | Word-of-mouth sales are still critical to any company, even large ones like Kraft and Con Agra. Today's marketing hasn't been able to replace it yet. Plus opinions like that can lead to brand loyalty: "I love product X by Y company. Maybe I'll like their product Z too." So in some respects they're worth more than straight dollars. |
Great point Os. The other thing I was thinking about this morning is that only about 3% of celiacs are dx'd, if I have my figures right. And the GF business is at $1.7 billion now and growing rapidly. How big would that number be if even 1/2 of all people with CD were to get a dx..... I think then, that we would see a lot more companies sit up and take notice.
Steph |
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