<<Disclaimer:  Verify this information before applying it to your situation.>>
 
=========================    Product Information
 
1.  Ener-G Foods has NOT discontinued the distribution of their Basic
Baking Mix.  This demonstrates the difference between asking if an item
is temporarily out of stock or has it been discontinued.  The ActionLine
regrets any confusion on this issue.
 
An Ener-G product that has been around for several years, but overlooked
is two dried soup packets that are handy for travel or keeping around the
office for that after hour snack.  It comes in two flavors: Mushroom or
Tomato.
 
2.  Rice Bran available to most consumers must be stored in the freezer to
prevent rancidity because of  lipase enzymes.  The following laboratory has
developed a process for rice bran stabilization that involves extrusion
cooking, which inactivates the lipase.  To find a retail source of the
stabilized rice bran, contact one of the companies using the extrusion
cooking process. One of them is: Food Extrusion, Inc., Daniel L. McPeak, CEO,
1241 Hawk's Flight Court, El Dorado Hills, CA 95630,  (916) 933-3000. (12)
 
3.  The Gluten-Free Pantry is offering several new products.  They are: the
Zojirushi bread machine, instant soups (Split Pea, Black Bean, Navy Bean,
Tomato Dill), Concentrate (Vegetable, Wild Mushroom ), Thermos Food Jar,
Perforated Baguette Pan, Perforated Breadstick Pan, Muffin Rings.  They
may be contacted at the Gluten-Free Pantry, PO Box 881, Glastonbury, CT
06033, (860) 633-3826, FAX (860) 633-6853.  For orders only their phone
number is: (800) 291-8386.
 
4.  The Gluten Free Cookie Jar has been busy this past year.  It offers 39
fresh baked GF products.  Some of the items are: White Bread, Hoagie Rolls,
Strawberry Muffins, Brandied Spice Mini Bundt Cake, Cookie, and Pretzels.
With all of the celiacs in their joint families, wonderful and tasty
products can always be expected.  Many of the items can also be made
dairy-free.  For details contact: The Gluten Free Cookie Jar, PO Box 52,
Trevose, PA (215) 355-9403.
 
5.  Soy Flour:  The food industry is actively finding way to use soy in its
products due to several medical studies that shows blood cholesterol can be
reduced by 10%. (13)  For information on ways to use soy flour, contact the
United States Soy Board at (800) TALKSOY and ask for their free newsletter,
The Soy Connection. (14)
 
6.  Wawona Fruit Treat is a 4 oz. frozen fruit treat that can be easily
added
to lunch boxes or used as a snack.  It comes in four varieties (Strawberry,
Peaches, Apples, Peach & Pear).  To use, allow to sit outside of the
refrigerator for 2 to 4 hours.  For availability in your local area, contact
Wawona, 100 W. Alluvial, Clovis, CA 93611 (209) 229-2901.  The general
ingredients are:  the fruit, sugar, ascorbic, erythorbic, citric acid or
locust bean gum.
 
7.  Gelatin Dessert:  Since the sale of the brand name, JELLO,  and the
company's new policy of not releasing detailed ingredient information, many
celiacs may have overlooked the other major brand of gelatin.
 
Nabisco, phone 800-NABISCO, makes a product called Royal Gelatin Dessert. An
example of the ingredient statement for Cherry flavored gelatin shows: Sugar,
gelatin, fumaric acid (for tartness), sodium citrate (controls acidity),
salt, artificial flavor, artificial color (contains Red 40, Blue 1).
 
Hains Customer Service,516-237-6200,  reports that all the flavors of
Superfruits Dessert Mix  are GF.  The 'natural flavors' are reported to be
fruits and any alcohol carrier is from corn.
 
8.  Play Clay: For parents needing a GF clay for their children, Arm &
Hammer has a brochure for making play clay with a few simple GF ingredients.
To get a copy, call the company at (800) 575-2925. (15)
 
9.  Freeda Vitamins has a complete line of GF supplements, which also
contain no starch, coal tar dyes, artificial flavoring, salt, sulfates,
preservatives, lactose, fish ingredients, eggs, nor meat ingredients.
According to Dr. Philip Zimmerman, who is president of Freeda and has a
Ph.D. in micro-chemistry, "We investigate all materials used in our
production and are scrupulously careful to avoid any gluten, as well as
artificial colors, flavors, additives, or preservatives....I do not allow
the use of 'premixed blends' which are often used in our industry..."(16)
Freeda Vitamins, 36 E. 41st St., New York, NY 10017, or call (800)
777-3737.  They offer a discount to celiacs.
 
10.  Gravy Master:  Richard Accola, VP of Gravy Master reported to GIG of
NA that the hydrolyzed protein is from corn and the vinegar is apple cider
vinegar and the caramel is made from sugar and corn syrup.   Questions can
be directed to Gravy Master, 16 Business Park Dr., Branford, CT 06405 (203)
481-2276.
 
11.  New Morning Pickles are now vinegar-free.  Lemon juice is now used in
place of vinegar  Besides the pickles, Morning Sweet Pickle Relish and Corn
Relish are vinegar-free.  Additional information is available by contacting
New Morning, 42 Davis Rd., Action, MA 01720, (508) 263-1201.
 
12.  S&W Fine Foods has a comprehensive list that identifies which items
contain gluten.  The distilled vinegar used in their products is derived
from wood pulp or corn and the natural flavors in the tomato products are
pure spices.  Additionally, they have several recipe pamphlets: Exciting
recipes Features S&W Beans,  A World of  S&W Coffee Delights & Elegant
Recipes, S&W Bean Recipes, and S&W Adventures in Salasa.  For additional
information contact: S&W Fine Foods, 3160 Crow Canyon Rd., San Ramon, CA
94583, (800) 227-6746.
 
13.  Food Sensitivities from Hunt Wesson is a detailed and comprehensive
examination of the company's products and any potential allergens.  A
copy is available from: Hunt-Wesson, PO Box 4800, Fullerton, CA 92634-4800.
 
14.  Pacific Grains, the producers of Nutty Cereals, reported a change in
the equipment to make their cereal.  In 1995, they added  Nutty Wheat &
Barley.  Since all of the cereals are made in the same equipment, they
cannot guarantee that some cross contamination does not occur.  (17)
Although they do clean the machine between production runs.  Each celiac
should address their sensitivity in determing to continue to use the cereal
and be aware of rare problems when using the cereal. The company's honesty
is to be commended.
 
15.  DAK Gourmet Products is the follow-on company to DAK Industries for
providing new and refurbished DAK bread makers, parts, and accessories.
They may be contacted at 19749 Bahama St., Northridege, CA 91324 (818)
886-5896 or (800) 656-BAKE.
 
16.  Passover is an excellent time for celiacs to stock up on GF products.
With the exception of products containing matzo meal, most are GF.
Additional information on Passover and celiacs was discussed in the
January 95 issue of The ActionLine.