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Hi Folks, I got another response from Rachel from Trader Joe's about
hidden glutens. It is as follows:

Dear Diana,

As far as "hidden glutens" go, I have done my best to check.  I have
investigated sources of vinegar, modified food starch and maltodextrin
and the way vanilla is extracted, etc.

We have an email address that we send mass emails to (to spread the word
about grand openings, etc.).  We have never, however, had an email
address where customers could write to get their questions answered.  As
your husband read, we do not have anybody to reply to them and is not
cost effective to hire somebody to do that.

Thanks.

Rachel Holtzman, RD
Nutritionist for Trader Joe's

--------------------------------------------

Dear Rachel,

If you never had an e-mail address why does it say on your own web site
that you dicontinued it? Discontinued means that you had it, but stoped.
I don't mean to be disrespectful, but read your own web site. It says
"you have been enthusiastically e-mailing us." If you never had and
e-mail address, how did people e-mail you?

  http://www.traderjoes.com/tj/signup/

                                E-Mail

Here at Trader Joe's, we know to stick to what we do best -- give our
customers great value on everything from the unique to the basic grocery
items.  We keep our costs low so we can pass the savings along to you.
We avoid items that drive up our overhead costs.  One of those dreaded
items is .(silence, please) email.  (gasp) You've been enthusiastically
e-mailing us.  The catch?  We'd need to hire a new staff to keep up with
your e-mail response, resulting in increased prices to you (vicious
cycle, yes?)!

 So, from here on out, we're going to focus on bringing in great new
products and keeping our existing products    great values for you.
E-mail has been unfortunately but respectfully discontinued.


Diana Brown

-------------------------------------------------

I guess we all have to make our own decision as to shop TJ's or not.
Lets see what happens with the GF list in a few weeks, at the web site.
I don't think they read their own web site!

Take care all, Diana in RI