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Additional Responses to Post (below):

My pet peeve is when a company says "ask your doctor".  Are they kidding me?  Do 
they really believe that my doctor knows this diet.  I have had doctors ask me 
questions about the diet.

Ginny
___________________
This one was labeled "What a horsebleep response to your question"

Think stupidity like that should be rewarded with a national boycott of their 
products by Celiac's. I was just going to write them about the appearance of 
"natural flavors" in their salted butter. Instead of wasting my time with that 
question I just will refrain from purchasing any Land of Lakes Products. 


James Kelleher 
_____________________

Wow, Amy!
YOU GO GIRL!
I hope all of our listmates thank you for watching out for us as much as I do!
Thank you!
Cathy
______________________

Hi Amy,
Here's the thing. If there was one person at Land O Lakes that had to cook 
dinner or go to dinner with a celiac or with celiac kids -- that would change 
this CYA corporate behavior on the part of food producers/processors. 


But it is ultimately stupid. Because GF groceries has been one of the few 
growing sectors in the food industry. Look at a company that is known for 
marketing -- like A. Busch. These dopes at Land O Lake are just behind the 
curve. 


It is an extremely sexist stance as well. It leaves celiac families no choices 
except to cook (usually the female) everything at home from scratch. No one does 
that and has a life. It is exhausting. 


You have done the best thing for all celiacs -- gotten the word out. All we need 
is one more diagnosed grandchild of an executive -- this holiday season. That 
will do the trick. When celebrating with their family the big exec will say, 
"Hey! Let's go out to eat!  And then exec will be limited (and educated) by the 
few safe GF choices that have been carefully researched by a sleep-deprived mom. 
That will be what changes things. Have faith. I've seen it happen.

Gosh, this could be made into a holiday movie: "Grampa's Celiac Holiday 
Awakening."

Education is the key and you have done a great job. Things are getting better 
but we have a long way to go.

chufford
____________________

I hope you had a good nap. :-)

Ron Hoggan

______________________


ORIGINAL SUMMARY:


Moral of the story: Don't mess with the mom of 2 celiac boys when she's sleep 
deprived! I'm usually not so direct with these type of responses, but I just 
hate that "here's how to reach Celiac organizations" response when we ask a 
company if their product is gluten free.  It doesn't answer the question of 
ingredients that could be either/or and it doesn't address cross contamination 
issues.  Sarah does point out that Land O Lakes does a good job with some of 
their products, but I felt that their answer on this one was lacking. I'm going 
for my nap now. :)


THIS WAS MY ORIGINAL QUESTION TO LAND O LAKES:

> Is the Land O Lakes Ultimate Cheddar cheese dip in the 3 oz. serving cup 
gluten
> free?  I can't find it on your website anywhere.
>
> Thank you,
>
> Amy Roberts
______________________________________________________________________________________

THIS WAS THEIR REPLY:

> From: "[log in to unmask]" <[log in to unmask]>
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Sent: Tue, November 16, 2010 9:42:55 AM
> Subject: Re: Land O'Lakes Ref #: 775341
>
>
> Thank you for visiting the Land O'Lakes Web Site and taking the time to 
contact
> us.
>
>
> To date, the FDA and USDA have not defined the term "gluten free." Since there
> is no official FDA or USDA definition of "gluten free" that Land O'Lakes, our
> suppliers and our consumers can use for a common understanding, we can only 
>make
> the recommendation to read the ingredient label on the product in order to 
make
> your own determination. Additionally, as required by the FDA, when a product 
of
> Land O'Lakes contains any of the 8 major allergens, we state on our product
> packaging "Contains (name of allergen, e.g., Milk)".
>
> The LAND O LAKES® Ultimate Cheddar Cheese Dip Cups is a complex product with
> multiple ingredients from various sources/suppliers. This complexity makes it
> difficult for us to ascertain the presence or absence of gluten.
>
> Listed below are organizations that can provide more information about food
> intolerances:
>
> Celiac Sprue Association: www.csaceliacs.org or toll free 1-877-272-4272
> The Gluten Intolerance Group: www.gluten.net or 253-833-6655
> International Food Information Council Foundation: www.foodinsight.org
>
> This information does not imply any endorsements or affiliation with Land
> O'Lakes, Inc.
>
>
> Please let us know if we can be of assistance in the future. If you need to
> respond to this email, please use the "Reply" button.
>
> Sincerely,
> Land O'Lakes Consumer Affairs
>
> Case: 775341
________________________________________________________________________________________

THIS WAS MY ANSWER TO THEIR RESPONSE

 > To the Listserve and to Land O Lakes:
>
> Thanks for your reply.  I guess I won't be buying any of your products until 
>you
> figure out if you can label your products like the other manufacturers out
> there do.  Any product with more than 20ppm of gluten is not safe for folks 
>with
> celiac disease, like my two sons have.  Cross contamination is also a
> great concern for Gluten Free shoppers.  I personally don't care if the USDA 
>has
> it's act together yet or not, I just know that if one of my children consumes
> gluten,  that they get very ill.  The 8 major allergens includes wheat, but it
> is not inclusive of all gluten sources, so the labeling that you currenly
> provide is not helpful to celiacs.
>
> Your response was also no help at all, except that I now know that you are not 
>a
> manufacturer that can be trusted by celiacs.  I will be forwarding your 
>response
> to the Celiac Listserve, which will get this information out to celiacs
> worldwide.  I am well aware of the major celiac organizations.  For
> manufacturers to include that information in their responses is very 
irritating
> and insulting, when all we want to know is if your products and their
> ingredients are safe for our families or not, and if there is any risk of 
cross
> contamination in your facility.   Obviously, in your case, you are not willing
> to provide that information.
>
>
> Statistically, only 3% of celiacs have been diagnosed, so more potential
> customers will be seeking this information.  You may want to consider changing
> your current stance on this issue.
>
> Thank you,
>
> Amy Roberts

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