Confused!

SueznRN · Joined: 17 Aug 2005 Posts: 125

Hi there,
I bought some Amy's brand soup that had the label right on the front that says "Gluten Free". However, when I read the ingredients list, at the end where allergens are listed it says "this product is made in a facility that also makes wheat, dairy, (etc.) products". So my question is, is this safe to eat or not?????

The Edifying Conscience · Joined: 29 Aug 2005 Posts: 3000

I think Amy's puts this disclaimer on almost all of their products. I haven't had the soup, but occasionally pick-up a frozen meal if I'm in dire need(days spent traveling, no lunch/no time for dinner, etc). If I was you I would call and ask Amy's questions about what else is manufactured in the facility or on the same lines. If they explain that the lines are thoroughly washed and everything is decontaminated between production I would eat it. If you don't like the answers they give you, I wouldn't eat it.

For what it's worth, I haven't had any problems the 2 times that I've mac-n-cheese or the Mexican casserole. I normally have an immediate emotional reaction(witchy/moody) and a delayed physical reaction when I've been glutened.
TEC

Nonnie02 · Joined: 25 Dec 2005 Posts: 58 Location: Rochester Hills, MI

I just asked about this issue on another forum. I was really troubled by it because while shopping at Trader Joe's, nearly everything I picked up had that on the label!! "What on EARTH can I eat now"?, I wondered. I would walk out empty handed and deeply discouraged.

Many people informed me that it is more of a CYA position, legally. No, they are not running a line with wheat or whatever, just before our products come trucking along, but there may be some other things run in another part of the plant (in this I am talking about Trader Joe's response to someone who inquired).

A long time Celiac gal told me that most people who are Celiac don't let that stop them. This gal had been GF since the early nineties and maybe once in all that time, she was affected possibly by cross-contamination. It just so severely limits your diet, yet there are those who won't take the chance. I did not for awhile, as I am GFCF, but now I have returned to buying from Trader Joe's, and have had no problem.

Hope this helps!
_________________
Don't give up....unless it's gluten!!

SueznRN · Joined: 17 Aug 2005 Posts: 125

Thank you both for your replies. It was very helpful. It also helps to know I am not alone :>)

Susan

Kathie · Joined: 27 Jan 2006 Posts: 1063 Location: Florida

Companies put that on their label to meet the allergen guidelines and protect them from being sued. However they will tell you that in many cases items are manufactured on the same line as items containing gluten, (almost all chips are like this). They wash the machinery between batches, but some slight residue may remain, is how they usually put it. Each of us has to decide whether it may be a problem or not, I check first for items from another company to replace it with and if I can't find one than decide how badly I really want it. I did have someone tell me one time, she worked in a bakery and even though she was gluten free she kept getting sick, that she had researched and found that the "hang time" for flour, meaning once it was poured into something and flour dust entered the air was something like 10 hours. So I keep that in mind when I make my decision on what other items might have been processed in the plant.