Ep 239 October 2022 Roundup with Ellen

Let’s start the blog with the show notes for this Episode –

This episode is my recurring opportunity to weigh in on information Ellen Bayens published on theceliacscene.com during the past month.  The challenge of finding safe french fries in restaurants is one that every celiac encounters, so Ellen and I both give our take on the subject.  We talk about the recent recall for M&M Foods along with their gluten free policies.  Island Farms, a dairy on Vancouver Island has recently decided to NO LONGER make their ice creams gluten free, so we look at the impact on the community.  An informative long-term study out of Norway looks at detecting celiac disease in the general population over time.  Arsenic, mercury and lead are all undesirable in our food, and the gluten free diet poses a greater risk of these substances showing up, but there are steps you can take.  We are all familiar with celiac disease, but do you know what makes either a wheat allergy, or non-celiac gluten sensitivity different?

The Canadian Celiac Association is requesting you take part in a survey – here’s the link – “State of Celiac Disease in Canada”.

The CCA has recently launched a program to help the newly diagnosed.  You can find it online at – https://www.celiac.ca/newlydiagnosed/

Selena DeVries has a new online course to help you gain confidence when going out to eat.

Get on the Waitlist – Eating Out with Confidence Online Course 

NEWS FROM THE CELIAC SCENE

• Fries Cooked in Shared Fryers Continue to be Promoted as Gluten Free
• Some M & M Prime Rib Beef Burgers Subject to CFIA Gluten / Wheat Recall
• M & M’s 3-Tier Gluten-Free Policy – this is where you’ll find the main contain chart
• Norwegion Study – 75% of Celiacs Detected via Public Screening Were Undiagnosed
• Island Farms Reverses Gluten-Free Commitment with ‘May Contain’ Provisos – this is where you’ll find the main contain chart
• Arsenic, Mercury, Lead in Rice? Are Concerns Real?
• Celiac Disease vs Non-Celiac Gluten Sensitivity vs Wheat Allergy

Sue’s Websites and Social Media

Podcast https://acanadianceliacpodcast.libsyn.com

Podcast Blog – https://www.acanadianceliacblog.com

Email – acdnceliacpodcast@gmail.com

Celiac Kid Stuff – https://www.celiackidstuff.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

It’s easy to villainize a food company when a food recall is announced.  Every time this happens, the company is at fault one way or another, but sometimes the circumstances and the responsibility taken by the company renew our faith in their brand. 

When I think about food recalls for gluten in the past, some have left me completely sworn off a brand, and others, like the recent M&M Foods recall, instill confidence in their brand.  They have taken the major step to follow the extensive protocols required to have the CCA logo appear on their foods.  Commitment to these protocols is expensive, and in some cases, without the protocols, a case of undeclared gluten may have gone unnoticed. 

Companies like M&M Foods that are part of the gluten free food program, make a commitment to our health and safety.  Sometimes mistakes are made, but it’s how a company choses to react that makes all the difference.  Did I have the recalled product in my freezer – no.  Would I hesitate to purchase that product in the future – no.  Am I confident that M&M Foods is working hard to make our food not only safe, but exciting – absolutely!