<<Disclaimer: Verify this information before applying it to your situation.>>
 
While searching for lactose free (and GF, of course!) products this past
fall, I found a product called "Veggie Slice" on the supermarket shelf.
This soy cheese product is made by Galaxy Foods at 2441 Viscount Row,
Orlando, FL 32809/tel. # (407)855-5500.
 
I phoned them to see if the product was indeed as GF as it appeared (from
the listed ingredients -- the mysterious "natural flavoring" caused some
concern) and spoke with their chemist (whose name eludes me at the moment)
and was assured that the product is GF and that any starch used is corn
and that the flavorings (while proprietary) were not derived from anything
gluten containing.  The company seems aware of what it means to have to
avoid gluten in any form.  I also left a voice mail message with the
consumer information extension requesting information on any and all other
gluten free products to be sent to me.  I recieved a beautiful 4 color
brochure about the company as well as separate sheets of product
information (including ingredient listings) of the products that are
gluten free.  I know these products are considered by the company to be
gluten free because the letter that accompanied all of this (dated Dec. 6,
1996 and signed by Karen FerDon, Sales Administrative Support Manager)
stated that
 
"...I am enclosing a brochure and fliers on our Soyco and Soymage
products.  All are gluten free.
 
These products are located in your health food market.  If you can not
locate them, please feelfree to call me and I will find one for you."
 
For the soy intolerant, there is hope.  One of the Soyco product lines is
actually rice based (and soy free!) -- Rice Slice, Rice Chunk and Rice
Parmesan.  Personally, I had a little trouble with the American flavor
Veggie Slice (soy based) although I did not recall any previous history of
soy intolerance (so I thought but my husband reminded why we do not use
baking mixes with soy flour).  I did not, however, experience any
difficulty with the Rice Parmesan.  I do not have any interest in this
company (although the literature that was sent to me made it clear that
they were looking for investors) but I did think that they were extremely
pleasant to deal with.
 
Sorry about the length of this post -- hope it helps someone.
 
Jane (in VA,USA)
[log in to unmask]