<<Disclaimer: Verify this information before applying it to your situation.>>
Miscellaneous Notes
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Kosher For Passover: It's the time of year to thank our Jewish
friends and stock up on celiac-friendly products. In 2001, the Jewish
holiday of Passover will be celebrated for eight days beginning at
sundown on April 7th. If you have access to a store which stocks
special products for Passover, now is the time to think of visiting
them. Many Passover products are made without wheat, rye, barley or
oats according to strict dietary laws. Products that are safe for
celiacs:
1. Are marked Kosher for Passover (not just "Kosher")
AND 2. Do NOT contain Matzos (can be spelled many different ways),
Matzo Meal, Cake Meal, or Passover Flour.
There are many products available including cookies, cakes, soups,
mixes and condiments. Many of the products can be frozen for quite a
while without any loss of flavor or texture. But remember, ALWAYS
READ THE LABEL.--Carolyn Sullivan
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Manioc, an Alternative Ingredient: Manioc, also known as mandioca and
cassava, is a tuberous root typically about 2 to 3 inches in diameter
and 10 to 15 inches in length. It has a tough brown skin while its
inside flesh is bright white. The manioc plant is grown in tropical
and semi- tropical regions and is found throughout South America,
Africa, and Asia. The root is prepared in various ways and is a
staple in many cultures. Manioc is, in fact, the base of all tapioca
products.
The manioc root may be processed into a starch and goes by several
names such as manioc starch, manioc flour, cassava flour, and tapioca
flour to name a few. One can find it in many Asian and Latin American
grocery stores. Manioc flour contains no gluten, a great benefit to
people with celiac disease.
But whether or not gluten is an issue of concern, manioc flour is a
unique alternative to grain flour. It is used in many cultures in
many different ways. For example, prepared mixes for breads and other
baked goods use manioc flour. It can be used to thicken gravies,
soups, stews, and sauces. It is found in pastas and as a substitute
to processed potatoes. And almost any kind of bread product, cookies,
pancakes, bagels, etc., can be turned from traditional to ethnic by
modifying the recipe to include manioc flour. One such product is a
unique bread mix from Brazil. Referred to as "pao de queijo", or
cheese bread in its homeland, it is imported and marketed as Chebe
Bread by Prima Provision Co. of West Des Moines, Iowa. Chebe Bread
is a cheese-flavored bread roll that has a truly unique texture and
flavor. One can add different herbs or other ingredients like bacon
pieces or olives to give it a variety of flavors. Both kids and
adults love it. To order it, call 800-217-9510 or visit their web
site at http://www.chebe.com/.
The Internet is a good place to go to find other recipes that use
manioc flour. Just use a search engine and use "manioc" or "cassava"
as a keyword in your search.--Dick Reed, Prima Provisions Co.
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Approved Drugs Database<1>: If you've ever wondered just what drug
products the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved, you
can find them all in an exhaustive database available on the agency's
web site for the Center for Drug Evaluation and Research. An
electronic version of the FDA's "Orange Book", this database allows
users to research drug products by active ingredient, proprietary
name, applicant holder, and applicant number. Included are
prescription drugs, over-the-counter products, biological products,
and discontinued products. The web site address is:
http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/ob/.
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GF Status of Dannon Yogurt: TCCSSG member Diane Morof received a
letter dated January 23, 2001 from The Dannon Company. Some excerpts
follow: "Dannon yogurt products historically were characterized as
'Gluten free'. However, we can no longer classify them as completely
free of gluten. The change in the classification of our products is
not a result of a change in the formulation or recipe of any of our
yogurt brands. The natural flavor systems used in Dannon products
might have ingredients added to stabilize the flavor. These
ingredients can be derived from gluten sources. Since there is a
current lack of consensus on threshold levels and methods of
detection, Dannon's products can no longer be classified as 'gluten
free'. We cannot guarantee that the alcohol portion of the natural
flavor system is always derived from corn and not from wheat, oats,
rye, and barley." Note that many experts believe grain-derived
distilled alcohol is safe for celiacs, so it is a personal decision as
to whether or not you can consume Dannon yogurt products.
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Gluten Freeda: A new web site, http://www.glutenfreeda.com, is
specifically designed to help celiacs eat well. There are over 50
free recipes every month in a variety of categories, including meals
for children.
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Kids With Celiac Disease, by Danna Korn, is a practical guide for the
families of children and teenagers with celiac disease. It helps
families cope after diagnosis. In supportive and conversational
style, Danna shows parents how to make the necessary lifestyle changes
so their child and the whole family can lead happy and healthy lives.
Parents find advice on dealing with the diagnosis, coping with the
emotional turmoil, and helping their child develop a positive and
constructive attitude. Especially important is the guidance on menu
planning, grocery shopping, strategies for proper food preparation,
and deciding whether or not the entire family should be gluten-free.
There's even a section on junk food!
What about the child who has difficulty sticking with the prescribed
diet? Parents find tips on conditioning behavior and how and when to
give kids some control over what they eat. Also covered is the
challenge of controlling meals outside of the home--at birthday
parties, restaurants, camp, and on vacation.
About the author: In 1991, the same year Danna's son, Tyler, was
diagnosed with celiac disease, Danna founded Raising Our Celiac Kids
(R.O.C.K.), a support group for families of children with celiac
disease. She speaks nationally on the topic of celiac disease to
support groups and medical professionals. Danna, her husband, and
their two children, Kelsie and Tyler, live in Encinitas, California.
Kids With Celiac Disease, ISBN 1-890627-21-6, was published February
2001 by Woodbine House. It has 276 pages. It is available in
bookstores nationwide or can be purchased for $22.45 (including
shipping) directly from Woodbine House by calling 800- 843-7323.
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