Ep 163 Beverage Controversy
A conversation with my daughter Deanna.
Let’s start the blog with the show notes for this Episode –
On this episode I speak with my daughter Deanna regarding a curious question she posed to me recently about some newly launched seltzer drinks appearing in the beer stores here in Ontario. These drinks contain barley malt, so off limits to us. The problem is the same drinks are in our LCBO (liquor stores) in Ontario, same branding, but with vodka or another alcohol and no barley malt. This means that we should be able to drink the ones bought from the liquor store. The problem boils down to the branding. These two different drinks have the same name, the same branding and packaging. The malt beverage says in very small letters on the packaging “malt beverage”. Deanna and I discuss this problem and what issues we see it causing for those of us requiring a gluten free diet. Is ordering a drink on a summer patio now going to add another layer of difficulty for us?
Sue’s Websites and Social Media –
Podcast https://acanadianceliacpodcast.libsyn.com
Podcast Blog – https://www.acanadianceliacblog.com
Facebook – @acanadianceliacpodcast
Twitter – CeliacPodcastCA
Email – acdnceliacpodcast@gmail.com
Baking Website – https://www.suesglutenfreebaking.com
Instagram – @suesgfbaking
YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLUVGfpD4eJwwSc_YjkGagza06yYe3ApzL
Email – sue@suesglutenfreebaking.com
Other Podcast – Gluten Free Weigh In – https://glutenfreeweighin.libsyn.com
My Thoughts –
Over the past 20 years, we have been fortunate in Canada to have our labelling laws updated on more than one occasion to make it easier for us to identify sources of gluten in foods we buy. Recently, the Canadian Celiac Association was able to influence a decision by government to require ingredients to be listed on beer. This change will take effect in December 2022, but will likely be phased in voluntarily prior to that date. This is certainly a win for those of us with celiac disease and other food allergies.
That’s why the recent appearance of these drinks with dual-branding – one for the beer store as a malt beverage and the other for liquor stores with an alcohol base – is not only confusing, but upsetting. Having spoken with Deanna, and looked into the research, I am confident that I won’t make the mistake and inadvertently gluten myself from one of these malt drinks, but there are so many others who aren’t aware.
This trend has happened very quickly, summer drinks season will be here very soon, and I suspect many people are going to get sick. Is it their fault if they bought a drink at the liquor store and then happened see it again at the beer store and bought more. Or maybe a husband or wife was doing the shopping, how would they know.
This is clearly a problem created by the big beverage companies. I am certain they are following the letter of the labelling laws, but they are certainly not following the spirit of the laws. Hopefully, through awareness, we can resolve this issue. Play close attention, tell others on a gluten free diet, tell your friends, tell everyone. Something needs to be done!