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When I was diagnosed with CD a year ago, a dietician specializing in
CD cases gave me a Trader Joe's gluten-free list.  We had some
questions at the store about the source of "modified food starch"
in some products on the list.  The local manager seemed quite
knowledgeable; he told us that modified food starch in all products
on the list was made from corn starch, and insisted on putting us
through to their dietician in California.  She was quite knowledgeable
about food intolerance conditions, and insisted we always read the
label.
 
It is truly distressing that Trader Joe's uses unqualified personnel
in other parts of the country to produce these lists.  It gives me
much less confidence in them as a food source when I travel.
 
As a side note, I am continually amazed at the professionals who
are unaware of what's in their food.  Even my daughter, a trained
nurse, suggested that if I had problems with wheat, that I eat
white or sourdough bread.
 
Chuck Bolz
Beaverton, OR