Trader Joe's Forced To Change Gluten Labeling

Knock Knock

Who's There?

Trader Joe's 

  Trader Joe's Who?

Leadership Woes

For many years Trader Joe's have claimed to be at the forefront of gluten labeling. But we all know that's a joke because their labeling is the laughing stock of the gluten-free industry. Why? They have been labeling g+ products for years that albeit may have no gluten ingredients, but admit these products are strongly believed to have all sorts of cross contamination concerns and tell shoppers on a strict gluten free lifestyle to avoid them! Hmm, that's a mixed message, isn't it?! That makes no sense Trader Joe's team.  In reality, this signifies that gluten-free food is being polluted with other gluten containing foods from either supplier, manufacturer or preparation, but their staff has been promoting is as a legitimate gluten-free product in the marketplace and Trader Joe's doesn't seem to care.  The heart wrench is that those innocent people with Celiac Disease, gluten intolerance, wheat allergies, and a variety of lifestyles that find gluten to be damaging to their health have been lied to.  This is a big deal and their lack of respect below could be interpreted that they don't care. 

Top 10 Gluten-Free Misconceptions

False Gluten-Free Statements From Actual People

1. Cross contamination only effects people with Celiac Disease
2. I eat Gluten-Free by only avoiding bread, pasta and pastries
3. Eating at family or friends kitchens is not a big deal
4. Most restaurant have a safe Gluten-Free menu
5. Eating gluten once in a while is okay
6. Gluten-Free labels are trustworthy
7. Gluten-Free Will Cure Everything
8. Corn chips are Gluten-free
9. All wine is Gluten-free
10. Healthy = Gluten-free

Why are these false and why are these dangerous you may ask? Simply because you can't say anything you want about anything without proving it. Don't we learn this as kids? Gluten-Free signifies that all inherent ingredients, manufacturing and preparation areas are all gluten-free and verified to be <20 ppm or much less of gluten contamination per FDA (and common sense). Most products in the world are "contaminated" on some level by other foods, it happens, by machines, people, or accidentally so you cannot trust everything until proven safe, and that goes for everyone, not just someone with Celiac Disease. 

In our society, restaurants and brands have been doing whatever they want with very little regulation. Consumers trust professionals, but it's their own fault to have been doing so. Are these professionals naive or are they simply lying to make profits effecting innocent people's health? We can't let this happen we all need to stand up for health safety. Good thing is that finally those opinions are starting to change! The FDA gluten-free guidelines go in effect in August 2014 and we'll all be watching closely  to see if brands and restaurants make changes to their existing offerings. 

The Gluten Free Craze - Is it healthy?

Eat more veggies!

There have been lots of chatter about gluten-free "diets" and "lifestyles"and whether they are healthy or not; Reference Wall Street Journal article. Together, let's review the food basics to help clear the air and educate each other on why the gluten-free lifestyle (when done correctly) is your road to a healthy, smart and long life ahead.  To elaborate, the following foods were created on the planet Earth without gluten. Gluten-free lifestyle choices are the healthiest and most likely the only, truly sustainable "diet" on the planet Earth...

Wonderfully Raw - Product Review

Sequoia Cheney is going to be your new inspiration... 

She is the founder of Wonderfully Raw, and was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, as she was forced to create lifestyle changes and chose to invent delicious food that was safe and tasty for herself and others.  

This story was the birth of My Coco-roons, to provide tasty treats for a targeted audience, but appeals to many more people because of it's great taste and naturally packed health ingredients. Often people stigmatize treats that are made as uniquely as these, but these would even fool the ignorant. Wonderfully Raw focusses on the best possible ways around providing raw ingredients where state laws may have some restrictions, Certified Gluten Free and Vegan, with verifications to back up their claims. 

I feel ill and don't know why

Does that sound familiar? Well, it's been happening to me.  For the past few weeks I haven't been "regular" and although I follow a very strict gluten-free diet, sometimes sh** happens I am afraid of. I trust brands and I take low calculated risks at family and friends homes and occasionally a restaurant I trust.  Although my symptoms are classic Celiac Disease, I believe it's out of my control and need to explore an east coast specialist for analysis to see where/what is wrong with me.

I eat solid foods, smoothies, nuts almost no dairy, no corn, no shellfish, meats, veggies and fruit, what could be so bad about that, haha.  This hasn't happened to me in a verrrrrry long time, but I remain optimistic.  Life is good.

Dear FDA Gluten-Free Guidelines,

We can be happy and healthy if we avoid gluten free cross contamination risks.

Thank you for the steps ahead for gluten-free guidelines as the entire gluten-free community does appreciate your efforts, but there is still way too much confusion out there since there was no major public announcement to educate the good people of the world. Why not?