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Thank you to everyone who has called! During my first of several phone
conversations yesterday, I told them to get ready for the phone calls.
It seems that each time someone asks for Shannon, they automatically ask
if it is in reference to gluten! I want to give an update to you all as
the Quality Control Manager called me on my cell phone yesterday and we
spoke for 30 minutes or so. 
 
Ironically, he has Celiac Disease. I quickly let him know of my
disappointment that one of "our own" who had power to influence a food
manufacturer was actually siding with them. During the course of
conversation he said that a "pinch of wheat starch" will be added to the
mix that will produce thousands of POUNDS of cereal. After picking my
jaw up off the ground, I reiterated back to him what he said to me. I
also asked, "Do you mean a pinch of wheat as the same thing as a dash of
salt?!?" He said yes. So, if it wasn't crystal clear that they are doing
this to get rid of the headache of cleaning lines or dealing with people
who have food allergies, it is now! To his credit, he was very nice but
nice is not enough.
 
As always, I received many positive emails form this list but
inevitably, there is always one flame. This particular person said that
would like to write a letter to the company in support of their decision
and how dare I ask them to produce their product specifically for my
child or any other Celiac child. To him I will say that this is not just
a wheat issue. This will become much bigger than that if we do not speak
up. If companies follow suit then people who are allergic to peanuts,
eggs, dairy, shellfish, etc. will all be affected. If we voluntarily
hand over control to the food companies without trying to fight it, it
will be nobody's fault but our own. Sort of like politics - if you don't
vote, don't complain. If you want the right to complain, then get up and
make a difference. If you don't care one way or the other then please
move aside and allow the rest of us to plunge ahead.
 
Please keep calling and get your concerned friends and family to call as
well!
 
 
 
Mandy Kavanaugh
 

* Visit the Celiac Web Page at www.enabling.org/ia/celiac/index.html *