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

Hey all,

I"m forwarding this along.  I Saw these in a Fresh Fields Whole Food
Market in Clarendon VA.  It looks like they are ok, but sadly i ate
suspect dark chocolate on the same day so can't say my empirical trial
wasn't corrupted.


>From: "Dona Zach" <[log in to unmask]>
>Subject: RE: Fruit Leather and special diets
>Date: Tue, 8 Jan 2002 12:15:34 -0800
>
>Thank you for your email. Since Stretch Island products are made up of 100%
>fruit, the question regarding allergens in our products usually arise from
>concern over the ingredients used in the natural flavorings that are added
>to certain flavors.
>
>For folks with gluten intolerance or celiacs disease, this concern almost
>always stems  specifically from alcohols and/or vinegars that may be
>included in the natural flavors.  We have received written statements from
>all of our flavor suppliers, stating that the flavorings used in our
>products are gluten-free.
>
>In addition, according to the Gluten Intolerance Group: "Alcohols and
>vinegars properly distilled should not contain harmful gluten peptides.
>Research indicates that the gluten peptide is too large to carry over
>in the distillation process. This leaves the resultant liquid gluten-
>free unless a gluten-containing additive is inserted after the
>distillation process."
>
>Based on this information, we feel comfortable stating that all 8 (soon to
>be 9!) Original Fruit Leather flavors, all 4 Organic Fruit Leather flavors,
>as well as the 6 Stretch Island Naturals flavors, are gluten-free, even with
>the natural flavors added to them. However, the final decision is yours to
>make.
>
>The question regarding casein is a bit more simple - there is none.. :)
>
>I appreciate the information on the Celiac Society of America, and we will
>certainly look into contacting them, as well as providing more complete
>gluten information on our diet pages. I hope this has answered your
>questions.  If you have any additional concerns, please feel free to contact
>us. We appreciate your interest in our products.
>
>With best regards.. Dona, Customer Service
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: Miki Tracey [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
>Sent: Thursday, January 03, 2002 1:21 PM
>Subject: Fruit Leather and special diets
>
>
>Hey, I saw your fruit leather in my whole foods store.  It looked just
>like the fruit roll ups i remember from childhood, and i'm interested
>for myself and my little one.  We both have celiac disease, which means
>we simply cannot have wheat, oats, barley or rye in any form (even if
>its on your production lines to grease (oil) or separate (flour)).  On
>top of that, I can't have casein which is in milk products (though i'm
>still not entirely sure where).
>
>We are most interested in the ingredient in the truly tropical fruit
>leather that is indicated as 'natural flavor'.  Particularly as barley
>malt is a TASTY natural flavor that we can't have.  And theres no way at
>all for us to know what you may be using on your production line to help
>you produce these products which not only look and sound good, but smell
>tasty too. The water section of my grocery, where wholefoods had put
>your display smelled tastily of fruit this morning.
>
>Can you verify that you and/or your suppliers don't use gluten or casein
>containing products in your fruit leather (i saw apple, blueberry, grape
>and tropical in my store)?  I'd really appreciate it, because we both
>love our afternoon snack and gf pretzels are tasty but they are getting
>old.
>
>If you could also contact the Celiac Society of America at
>[log in to unmask] or at CSA/USA, Inc.;  PO Box 31700; Omaha, NE
>68131-0700. They compile a list of products that are gluten free for
>their memebers
>
>As a suggestion, if you are gluten and or casein free, I recommend using
>your special diets page to spread the word.  I happen to know i'm not
>the only celiac out there looking for something yummy to munch on at 3
>in the afternoon.
>
>Miki, mother of Duncan, 3yrs, Virginia.

Miki Tracey
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