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

Regarding the summary on vitamins,  I got the following in my mailbox 
today from GIG (Gluten Intolerance Group)

COUNTRY LIFE VITAMINS BECOMES THE FIRST LINE OF VITAMINS CERTIFIED 
GLUTEN FREE

March 24, 2008 - The Gluten-Free Certification Organization (GFCO) 
announced today that it has certified Country Life Vitamins as certified 
gluten-free.  Country Life has been producing a full line of quality 
vitamins and nutritional supplements since 1971. Country Life's entire 
product line is gluten-free, allowing them to meet the needs of a 
growing market of persons following a gluten-free diet, who may not be 
able to meet all their nutritional needs from the foods they consume.

GFCO standards are met through a rigorous process of third-party audits 
and frequent product and ingredient testing at the manufacturing 
facility and from consumer shelves by GFCO. GFCO sets strict standards 
that finished products may not contain more than 10 ppm gluten, twice as 
strict as the proposed FDA and Codex definitions for gluten free.

This announcement comes at the perfect time for Country Life as they are 
planning a March launch of Real Food Organics-a new and innovative line 
of vitamins that offers a unique way to supplement your diet through 
vital nutrients everyday. The line is derived almost entirely from 
certified organic fruits, vegetables, seeds, sprouts, legumes and grains.

 

"We are thrilled to receive the gluten-free certification.  We have 
always strived to provide the most innovative and healthiest personal 
care products for our customers.  Receiving this certification only 
furthers our commitment," says Jodi Drexler-Billet, Executive Vice 
President of Country Life.  

Studies have shown that some persons with celiac disease continue to 
have nutritional deficiencies years after following a gluten free diet 
and would benefit from vitamin and mineral supplementation. For 
approximately 3 million people in the United States a gluten-free diet 
is a medically required diet. These people cannot consume storage 
proteins found in grains such as wheat, rye and barley. Consumption of 
gluten protein causes damage to the digestive tract and can lead to 
other complications. Many other consumers choose a gluten-free diet for 
other reasons.

  <> ABOUT GFCO-The Gluten-Free Certification Organization's (GFCO) 
provides an independent service to supervise gluten-free food production 
according to a consistent, defined, science-based standard that is 
confirmed by field inspections, in order to achieve heightened consumer 
confidence and safety. GFCO is 'Gluten-free you can easily see' through 
a trademarked logo on packaging. Products labeled with the GF 
certification mark allow consumers to easily identify items that have 
been independently verified to meet our high standards for 
gluten-free...potentially stricter than even the FDA will set as the 
standard fo r labeling.  For more information visit: www.gfco.org 
<http://www.gfco.org/>, or call 253-218-2956.

ABOUT COUNTRY LIFE-Country Life Vitamins and its family of companies 
including Desert Essence®, Biochem®, Long Life® Teas, Iron-Tek® 
Nutrition and Real Food® Organics have been a leader in the field of 
health and nutrition for over 36 years. The company believes in creating 
high-quality products that combine the importance of wellness and 
self-improvement as well as emphasizes the importance of good health 
starting from within. Country Life Vitamins only uses the finest natural 
and organic ingredients from farming organizations around the world 
which support sustainability and protect the health of the environment. 
To further their commitment to being socially responsible, the company 
purchases wind energy credits to offset 100 percent of its electricity 
in the US. Additionally, Country Life utilizes recycled paper for all 
packaging and soy based inks as well as encourages eco-friendly office 
practices

  <>
For more information on GFCO please contact:
Cynthia Kupper

([log in to unmask] <mailto:[log in to unmask]>)

(253) 218-2956

 

For more information on Country Life Vitamins please contact:

Jodi Drexler-Billet

([log in to unmask] 
<mailto:[log in to unmask]>)

(310) 913-3000

 



Visit the Celiac Web Page at Http://www.enabling.org/ia/celiac/index.html
Archives are at: Http://Listserv.icors.org/SCRIPTS/WA-ICORS.EXE?LIST=CELIAC