I was dismayed to learn that Barbara's Bakery in Petaluma CA, a very
reliable company, in my opinion, when it comes to labelling, has a
product that is labelled as dairy free and vegan, but is now certified
OU-D.  I have called them a number of times in the past for reassurance
on things, and have found them to be concerned, knowledgeable and
helpful.  But this time, I kept getting switched from person to person,
none of whom understood why it would be a problem to have the OU-D on a
dairy-free product.

The item, by the way, is the Nature's Choice Cereal Bars...comes in
several fruit flavors.  I buy them by the case through our pre-order
co-op, but when we ran out in between orders, I purchased some at the
health food  store and did not notice the new label with the OU-D until
I got home.  I know that the OU does not use DE (dairy equipment)
designation, and that may simply be the explanation, but then they are
not really dairy free and vegan, are they?.  Barbara's Bakery always
claims to be soooo careful about labelling, but not this time.  I will
write them tonight, too.

Aaron, who has been so healthy for so many months became symptomatic
again with his gastro symptoms, so we had to re-examine every darned
thing in the kitchen, and that is when I noticed the new label on the
cereal bars.  Garsh--another dependable, healthy product gone from my
repertoire!

Oh well, I found some great new parve cookie items in the kosher market
in Boston on a recent trip there.  And, with September upon us, it is
soon baking weather again!

Oh...another note.  With all this re-examination of any possible source
of dairy, I found that our cockatiel food has casein and whey!  Could
all the dust from the food cause Aaron problems if inhaled?

I drove all over town looking for bird food with no casein, whey or
nuts...no luck!  The bird is now tucked away in my bedroom, and neither
the boys nor the bird are too happy about it.  I think (hope) I can find
some safe food via mail order; other bird owners, beware!
--
Dale Robin Lockman, Ima (Mom) to Seth,5 and Aaron,3
West Kennebunk, Maine