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Hello and thanks to all who responded to my inquiry about the GF status of
OreIda.  I will try very diligently to keep my emotions at bay for this
summary.

On Jan. 8th I posted a question to OreIda on their website about the GF status
of their "Crispers" and other products that were listed last year in the
TCCSSG guide.  I STILL have not heard back from their website.  One list mate
sent me their 800 #.

This is what I have found out so far:
1. I spoke with Jenny Horning in Consumer Affairs (1-800-892-2401).  She
basically said that she could not guarantee the GF status of any of their
products due to the possibility of cross contamination.  She said that some
how it could be possible for a "Crisper' (which is GF by itself) to come in
contact with a "Tater Tot" (NOT GF), even though they have some dedicated
lines.  She said some of their products are copacked and they don't have
control over the possibility of cross contamination.

I explained to her how important it was for Nicole (and other Celiacs) to be
able to eat what everyone else is eating.  I told her how great it would be if
they could insure that the products listed last year are truly GF.  I told her
I would be posting back to the list and that from now on I would be peeling
and baking potatoes for Nicole and would NOT be purchasing their products any
more.  She then got very upset with me ( I told her my first concern is my
daughter's health and I would never give her anything that could make her
sick).

She told me not to post back to the list until I heard back from their Public
Relations people to see how I should word my reply.  I waited one week and
never heard back.  (Incidentally during the first conversation with Jenny she
mentioned to me that they have a problem with their website and don't often
receive comments from the website).  I phoned Jenny back and she was not to
pleased to hear from me again.  She said these things took time.  I said thank
you, hung up and called back to see if I could speak to Tony O'Reilly (The CEO
of Heinz; OreIda is part of Heinz).  I thought he might want to know that
there are 3000 Celiacs on the internet who may not be buying OreIda any more
and that a previously happy consumer is now down right not happy with the
response (or lack of one).

I then quickly heard back from Phyllis Tambling, Manager of Consumer Affairs.
She was not too friendly with me wanting to know why I wanted to "escalate the
issue".  I told her that all I wanted was a response so that I could insure
the health of my daughter.  I said I was not trying to cause any problems at
all that I was just hopeful that Nicole could still possibly eat some of their
products.  (this was on 1/20/99).  Once again she said these things take time
and I was forcing them to take a stance on this.  I figured that was a good
thing.

I then received a call back from Grant Jones in Public Relations.  He was very
nice and gave me his direct line (208-383-6410).  He told me he would e-mail
me and FAX me a response back within 2 days.  Well folks, guess what, I STILL
have not heard from him.

I can't tell you not to buy their products but we are NOT.  PLEASE feel free
to call these people up and let them know how many of us there are and that
they might want to have a faster accurate answer.

Some of the other comments were to:
1.  Peel and bake potatoes (which is exactly what I'm doing,  I put a little
olive oil, lemon juice and seasoning on hand cut potatoes, bake at 424 for
about 30 min., they are very good).

2. Someone mentioned Cascadian Farms frozen french fries and "spud puppies".

3. Another person mentioned Inland Valley "tater puffs".

I have not checked with the 2 above mentioned companies but I plan on checking
my local grocers for their availability.  It is just not always convenient to
peel and bake potatoes but then again no one ever said having Celiac is
convenient.

Thanks again to the wonderful support out there and the Parents who feel the
same way I do.

Audri Humphrey (Columbus OH)