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After my earlier dialogue with Rabbi Kestenbaum about my confusion about the labeling of this year's Oat Matzah, which I shared with the list, I asked him to please clarify why he told me that this year's matzah is not advertised as gluten-free, but the product is still promoted at his website:  http://www.glutenfreeoatmatzos.com/fibre.html . While I feel bad to have pressed him for an open answer, that's the price vendors pay when they market their products to the gluten-free world. And this explains why the oats could test at 5ppm and the matzah at 80ppm. As he points out, though, he's not doing this for profit. It was not my intention to humiliate the man or hurt his business. But at least, the explanation is clear, and those few of you who need gf matzah can make up your own minds. 

I will thank him for his honesty. Lin

Begin forwarded message:

> Dear Linda
>  
> Our products have been gluten free in the past, and adhered to the standards of the European celiac society.
>  
> This year, there were unforseen changes in the factory where we produce the matzo - as I said the oats were under 5ppm, but the factory was less insulated against outside contamination than it had been in previous years. We are setting up a totally sterile gluten free production line for next years matzos, so this will not happen again.
>  
> We are  most clearly aware of how severe celiacs respond to gluten - the matzos were first (and still are) produced in order to allow my daughter to eat matzos on passover- she is of the most gluten- intolerant celiacs there are.  We increased production in order to help the many celiacs who heared by word of mouth about our matzos, and requested matzos from us.  It was never done as a business, and my intention was always (and still is) to assist others in a similar situation.
>  
> We have a web designer working on adjusting the website - it was set up a number of years ago,when all our products were indeed gluten free.  We had hoped they would be so too this year, and only knew otherwise about a month ago after the machine baking.
>  
> Best wishes
>  
> Rabbi Kestenbaum


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