<<Disclaimer: Verify this information before applying it to your situation.>>

Dear listmates,

Because I was having difficulty understanding why this Rice Vinegar might
have gluten in it, as reported on 2-14-05, I proceeded to contact the company
again.

Following is the correspondence (in reverse order) as it was done. The
original post is at the end.

Nancy
WA


From: Customer Service [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: Wednesday, February 16, 2005 3:58 PM
Subject: RE: Marukan vinegar not GF - Wheat in your products?


Dear Nancy,

I am very sorry for the incorrect information given to Ms. Mireille.  I stand
corrected that our vinegar products do not contain wheat or gluten.

In response to your email, I have attached an overview of how our vinegar is
manufactured.

Once again, I apologize for the misinformation and inconvenience this has
caused. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us.

Sincerely,
Aileen Oyama
Customer Service
Marukan Vinegar (U.S.A.) Inc.
13906 Bettencourt St.
Cerritos, CA 90703
Tel: (562) 229-1000, ext.104
Fax:  (562) 229-1107


-----Original Message-----
Sent: Tuesday, February 15, 2005 7:03 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Marukan vinegar not GF - Wheat in your products?

The following information was posted on an International ListServ for people
interested in a gluten-free diet, which means people on this listserv are
interested in products that do not contain wheat, rye, or barley proteins.

Per Aileen Oyama (message below): The process used to manufacture our vinegar
products does contain a small percentage of wheat in it.

If your rice vinegar contains wheat, why is it not labeled as such?

I have been to your website and also looked at the FAQ's, no where do I see
that wheat is used in your products. I would like to know more about your
companies process that includes wheat.

January 1, 2006 a labeling law goes into affect that will require the top 8
allergens be listed in ingredients, and wheat is in that group.

Any information you might provide us would greatly be appreciated.

Nancy


On 2-14-05, the following was posted by Mireille [log in to unmask]

Subject: Summary follow-up: Marukan vinegar not GF

I had told you I would be forwarding my query about the gluten status of some
rice vinegar. I just received this response after quite a few months:

Dear Ms. Mirelle,

I am very sorry for my late, late reply.

The process used to manufacture our vinegar products does contain a small
percentage of wheat in it.

Unfortunately, it may not be wise for you to use, since you are allergic to
gluten.

If you have any further questions, please feel free to contact us.

Thank you kindly,
Aileen Oyama
Marukan Vinegar (U.S.A.) Inc.
13906 Bettencourt St.
Cerritos, CA 90703
Tel: (562) 229-1000, ext. 104
Fax: (562) 229-1107

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