<<Disclaimer: Verify this information before applying it to your situation.>> The Celiac List's liaisons at Burger King (Kim Miller and Martha Ramirez; phone 305-378-7277) called today to review the current status of their French fry program. As you may recall from my prior posts, BK has been experimenting with "stealth fries" in some of their units. The stealth fries are coated to improve heat retention and flavor. The original coating included gluten and milk. Due in part to customer complaints (including complaints from celiac families), the coating has now been reformulated to exclude gluten and milk. As of May 1997, the coated fries use rice flour and potato starch. Martha said that each unit typically orders only a week's supply of fries, so that the prior inventory of gluten-fries should be exhausted by now. Note: the coated fries do contain some corn syrup, for those of you allergic to corn. The stealth fry program is still experimental, so is not available at all BK locations. The "old" fries never had a problem with gluten in the ingredient list. BK said they will make a major announcement in the press if they either drop the stealth experiment, or if they extend it to cover all of their units. As with any restaurant, you still need to check to see if French fries are contaminated with gluten from the frying oil. At all Burger Kings, they are required to use different frying units for all other products, and French fries have their own fryers. The oils are not co-mingled between fryers. This is the theory -- I once found a unit (outside Santa Fe) which violated this policy. The BK liaisons actually assisted in "teaching" this unit the importance of following corporate policy. Burger King asked our assistance in spreading this new information to those who are intolerant of wheat and/or milk. Please pass this on to your local support groups. While we will never know for sure why BK changed their product formulation, you may also wish to call BK to thank them for being responsive to our needs. Bill Elkus Los Angeles