McCormick Spices

August 3, 2008 - All McCormick single ingredient spices and herbs are glutenfree and 100% pure, with nothing added to them. All McCormick extracts, including Pure Vanilla, are also gluten-free. Some products do contain gluten, and this will be clearly listed in BOLD type within the ingredient statement. Further the website states: ""Old Bay does not contain gluten" and "All of our food color products are gluten-free."  Some McCormick spices are processed in facilities that also process wheat products.  However, employees are trained in the importance of correct labeling and the necessity of performing thorough equipment wash-downs to eliminate cross-contact of ingredients.

Finally...
A Mainstream Cereal is Gluten-Free!

April 9, 2008 - General Mills' Rice Chex is now gluten free. General Mills partnered with the Celiac Disease Foundation to make this product gluten free. Finally, one less cereal to buy from the high-priced specialty food section of the grocery store! The new package specifically states "Gluten-Free." However, make sure to check the ingredients and wording carefully to make sure you're not buying an old version of this cereal, which might contain gluten.

Esskay Meats

July 3, 2008 - Esskay Meats company has confirmed to one of our members that all of their products are gluten-free.  Again, as a general rule, be sure to always check ingredients.
 

Health and Beauty Items

August 3, 2008 - According to the book Celiac Disease, A Hidden Epidemic by Dr.Peter H. R. Green, Director of the Celiac Disease Center at Columbia University, gluten cannot be absorbed by the skin. He states that gluten can only get into the digestive tract by swallowing it, not by applying it to your skin, unless that product somehow gets into your mouth. Therefore, the products that
you should be the most careful of are lipsticks, lip glosses, chapstick, etc, especially long-lasting brands, which often contain wheat. Cosmetics are not regulated by the FDA, and therefore don’t have to include ingredients like most food products do.

Hershey's Products

July 3, 2008 - One of our members, Jack Miller, has been dilligently uncovering some information about gluten content in Hershey's products. Between his conversations with Hershey's and ours, we've found out that Hershey's recommends that celiacs not eat any of their products that contain natural flavors. Hersheys' suppliers only have to indicate if their products contain one of the top eight allergens, so Hershey's won't guarantee that the natural flavors are gluten free. The company did indicate to us that they are dilligent about listing wheat when it is an ingredient or when there might be cross contamination, and listed the following products as typically gluten free:
 
Hershey’s Chocolate Bar
Hershey’s Chocolate Bar with Almonds
Milk chocolate powder
Baking bar
Hershey’s Cocoa
Kisses
Jolly Ranchers
 
Of course, you do have to be careful about continuing to check ingredients in your favorite products, as formulas can change at any time. Thanks, Jack, for your hard work to keep us safe!