Re: Re: FW: Fraudulent Gluten free products need immediate recall

[Guest guest]

Yes, they are educated about laws and rules, but not about diseases and allergies; i.e not about their customers' needs. I'd say that both are necessary before you start to try to meet a market need with any product. In this case, their lack of knowledge is misleading people and making them sick.

I am not aware of any companies who label their products prominently as gluten-free but then say that they don't know about gluten content. That's the big difference here -- they are marketing their products as GF.

And they are also discounting the tests which showed that their products don't come near today's unofficial limits -- several tests showed their products as measuring above 1000 ppm, measured from a closed package in an independent, accredited lab. They don't even acknowledge this.

I agree that companies who just don't care are not worth our time (and are very frustrating), but IMHO this situation with Wellshire is magnitudes worse.

From: [mailto: ] On Behalf Of mecreavesSent: Tuesday, November 25, 2008 6:06 AM Subject: [ ] Re: FW: Fraudulent "Gluten free" products need immediate recall

IMHO - this company sounds very educated and informed and is complying with the only standards they are required to comply with. I do not believe there is any threshold for defining and labeling something as Gluten Free.Also IMHO - it is much better to get a response like this (edcuated and informed) than one that basically says "we don't know if our products are GF and aren't going to find out either". To me, that's a piece of work and a company that would never get my business.> > > Hi all,> > I wrote to Wellshire Farms to express my thoughts on their so-called GF> > products, and here is the response I received. They clearly have no> > understanding of the customers to whom they hope to sell their products.> > Clearly they can't be trusted again.> >> > I'd love to have the contact information for Whole Foods if anyone can> > forward that along, thanks.> > > >> >> > ------------------------------> > *From:* Info (Wellshire Farms) [mailto:info@...]> > *Sent:* Monday, November 24, 2008 6:28 AM> > *To:* ddarcy@...> > *Subject:* Re: Fraudulent "Gluten free" products need immediate recall> >> > :> >> > There have been some questions about the status and production of our> > Wellshire and Garrett County gluten free Dino Bites as a result of a recent> >> > article printed in the Chicago Tribune. Our understanding after speaking> > with the author is that this article relates solely to reactions from> > children with anaphylaxis, that is, with severe reactions to any level of> > allergens.> >> >> >> > We have not discontinued making this product, but we are in the process of> > improving its formulation. Our products are governed by the USDA and its> > regulations, not the FDA's regulations. We are in complete compliance with> >> > the USDA regulations. However, in light of a new FDA proposal under> > consideration to re-define "gluten-free" to a lower level of gluten parts> > per million (ppm) in the product than is currently allowed under FDA> > regulated foods, we are also working on our products conforming to their> > definition of "gluten-free." As the FDA considers setting a new> > regulation,> > this does not affect our legal obligation to comply with USDA regulations,> > which specifically govern the food products we produce. Our effort to> > reduce permitted gluten content is a proactive improvement of our product> > to> > meet our customer's needs, and an effort to comply with the strictest> > standards.> >> >> >> > Our Wellshire products are tested at a level of 200 ppm or less, which is> > equivalent to 99.98% gluten free. The FDA is now considering a new> > proposal> > that would reduce the amount of gluten to be 20 ppm or to 99.998% gluten> > free. This will be difficult to achieve as wheat and other grains can> > become cross contaminated from growth in the fields, or milling in the> > combines. It becomes very, very difficult if not impossible to control.> >> >> >> > The FDA interprets the definition of gluten free to concern the level or> > amount of gluten in the product; thereby recognizing that there is still a> > contaminate of gluten in the product. The USDA bases the gluten free claim> > on the identity of the ingredients listed in the product, that is> > prohibiting the use of ingredients that contain gluten, such as wheat,> > barley, or rye.> >> >> >> > It may take a month more to fully complete the transition of the Wellshire> > products, but the Dino Bites will be returning to store shelves as soon as> > possible. This new Dino Bite will be a better tasting product, suitable> > for> > child and adult palates alike.> >> >> >> >> >> > Wellshire is committed to improving the quality of our products. We> > apologize for any inconvenience this confusion between the USDA and FDA> > regulations may have caused our customers.> >> >> >> > Thank you.> >> >> >> >> >> > Louis B. Colameco, III> >> > President> >> > ----- Original Message -----> > *From:* D Darcy <ddarcy@...>> > *To:* info@...> > *Sent:* Friday, November 21, 2008 4:43 PM> > *Subject:* Fraudulent "Gluten free" products need immediate recall> >> > Hello Wellshire Farms,> > I have a daughter with celiac disease. We had been buying your products,> > unaware that they could in fact be the cause of her still recurring stomach> > aches. It is horribly fraudulent to sell products labeled as gluten-free> > which in fact contain over 100 to over 1000 ppm of gluten.> >> > This article in the Chicago Tribune is what brought this to my attention.> > TinyURL: *http://tinyurl.com/5roj9n* <http://tinyurl.com/5roj9n>> >> > The article states that you have not recalled the products which remain on> > store shelves, despite repeated test results which show a high level of> > gluten in your "gluten-free" products. This is appalling and reprehensible.> > Clearly we can no longer trust your company to do the right thing where> > allergen-free foods are concerned. You will have to work hard to regain a> > good reputation among the celiac community. This article has been circulated> > to the many email lists of celiac patients, each of which contain 1000s of> > members.> >> > I hope you will realize the serious error in your decision not to recall> > these foods, and finally take action before more children suffer.> >> > Sincerely,> > Darcy> > ddarcy@...> > 1032 Harker Ave., Palo Alto, CA 94301> >> > > >>

[Guest guest]

Perhaps I'm biased because I got sick from their " Gluten Free " products, but if

a company is that educated about gluten and parts per million, then for them to

label their product gluten free is deliberately lying to the public. Yes, they

**might** have been within the letter of the law, but they certainly were not

within the spirit of the law. Fact is, they knew there was gluten and wheat in

their products and they continued to label it GF, resulting in harm to many

people.

BTW, I think their discussion of an USDA regulation is also specious, as they

require every ingredient in a meat product to be listed on the label.

Undisclosed wheat violates that.

Maureen

> From: mecreaves <mecreaves@...>

> Subject: [ ] Re: FW: Fraudulent " Gluten free " products need

immediate recall

>

> Date: Tuesday, November 25, 2008, 6:05 AM

> IMHO - this company sounds very educated and informed and is

>

> complying with the only standards they are required to

> comply with.

> I do not believe there is any threshold for defining and

> labeling

> something as Gluten Free.

>

> Also IMHO - it is much better to get a response like this

> (edcuated

> and informed) than one that basically says " we

> don't know if our

> products are GF and aren't going to find out

> either " . To me, that's

> a piece of work and a company that would never get my

> business.

>

>

>

>

>

> >

> > > Hi all,

> > > I wrote to Wellshire Farms to express my thoughts

> on their so-

> called GF

> > > products, and here is the response I received.

> They clearly have

> no

> > > understanding of the customers to whom they hope

> to sell their

> products.

> > > Clearly they can't be trusted again.

> > >

> > > I'd love to have the contact information for

> Whole Foods if

> anyone can

> > > forward that along, thanks.

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > > ------------------------------

> > > *From:* Info (Wellshire Farms) [mailto:info@...]

> > > *Sent:* Monday, November 24, 2008 6:28 AM

> > > *To:* ddarcy@...

> > > *Subject:* Re: Fraudulent " Gluten free "

> products need immediate

> recall

> > >

> > > :

> > >

> > > There have been some questions about the status

> and production of

> our

> > > Wellshire and Garrett County gluten free Dino

> Bites as a result

> of a recent

> > >

> > > article printed in the Chicago Tribune. Our

> understanding after

> speaking

> > > with the author is that this article relates

> solely to reactions

> from

> > > children with anaphylaxis, that is, with severe

> reactions to any

> level of

> > > allergens.

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > > We have not discontinued making this product, but

> we are in the

> process of

> > > improving its formulation. Our products are

> governed by the USDA

> and its

> > > regulations, not the FDA's regulations. We

> are in complete

> compliance with

> > >

> > > the USDA regulations. However, in light of a new

> FDA proposal

> under

> > > consideration to re-define

> " gluten-free " to a lower level of

> gluten parts

> > > per million (ppm) in the product than is

> currently allowed under

> FDA

> > > regulated foods, we are also working on our

> products conforming

> to their

> > > definition of " gluten-free. " As the

> FDA considers setting a new

> > > regulation,

> > > this does not affect our legal obligation to

> comply with USDA

> regulations,

> > > which specifically govern the food products we

> produce. Our

> effort to

> > > reduce permitted gluten content is a proactive

> improvement of our

> product

> > > to

> > > meet our customer's needs, and an effort to

> comply with the

> strictest

> > > standards.

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > > Our Wellshire products are tested at a level of

> 200 ppm or less,

> which is

> > > equivalent to 99.98% gluten free. The FDA is now

> considering a

> new

> > > proposal

> > > that would reduce the amount of gluten to be 20

> ppm or to 99.998%

> gluten

> > > free. This will be difficult to achieve as wheat

> and other

> grains can

> > > become cross contaminated from growth in the

> fields, or milling

> in the

> > > combines. It becomes very, very difficult if not

> impossible to

> control.

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > > The FDA interprets the definition of gluten free

> to concern the

> level or

> > > amount of gluten in the product; thereby

> recognizing that there

> is still a

> > > contaminate of gluten in the product. The USDA

> bases the gluten

> free claim

> > > on the identity of the ingredients listed in the

> product, that is

> > > prohibiting the use of ingredients that contain

> gluten, such as

> wheat,

> > > barley, or rye.

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > > It may take a month more to fully complete the

> transition of the

> Wellshire

> > > products, but the Dino Bites will be returning to

> store shelves

> as soon as

> > > possible. This new Dino Bite will be a better

> tasting product,

> suitable

> > > for

> > > child and adult palates alike.

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > > Wellshire is committed to improving the quality

> of our products.

> We

> > > apologize for any inconvenience this confusion

> between the USDA

> and FDA

> > > regulations may have caused our customers.

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > > Thank you.

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > > Louis B. Colameco, III

> > >

> > > President

> > >

> > > ----- Original Message -----

> > > *From:* D Darcy <ddarcy@...>

> > > *To:* info@...

> > > *Sent:* Friday, November 21, 2008 4:43 PM

> > > *Subject:* Fraudulent " Gluten free "

> products need immediate recall

> > >

> > > Hello Wellshire Farms,

> > > I have a daughter with celiac disease. We had

> been buying your

> products,

> > > unaware that they could in fact be the cause of

> her still

> recurring stomach

> > > aches. It is horribly fraudulent to sell products

> labeled as

> gluten-free

> > > which in fact contain over 100 to over 1000 ppm

> of gluten.

> > >

> > > This article in the Chicago Tribune is what

> brought this to my

> attention.

> > > TinyURL: *http://tinyurl.com/5roj9n*

> <http://tinyurl.com/5roj9n>

> > >

> > > The article states that you have not recalled the

> products which

> remain on

> > > store shelves, despite repeated test results

> which show a high

> level of

> > > gluten in your " gluten-free " products.

> This is appalling and

> reprehensible.

> > > Clearly we can no longer trust your company to do

> the right thing

> where

> > > allergen-free foods are concerned. You will have

> to work hard to

> regain a

> > > good reputation among the celiac community. This

> article has been

> circulated

> > > to the many email lists of celiac patients, each

> of which contain

> 1000s of

> > > members.

> > >

> > > I hope you will realize the serious error in your

> decision not to

> recall

> > > these foods, and finally take action before more

> children suffer.

> > >

> > > Sincerely,

> > > Darcy

> > > ddarcy@...

> > > 1032 Harker Ave., Palo Alto, CA 94301

> > >

> > >

> > >

> >

[Guest guest]

I know plenty of companies and individuals who educate themselves about the " laws " , so they can easily protect themselves from issues that may get them in trouble. I don't mind dissecting their email and showing exactly which parts are meant to confuse their general consumer, what parts are specifically mentioned in order to cover them from liability and what other parts are there just as words and basically " fluff " to make their defense sound bigger than what it really is.

A company has a responsibility to their costumer base. As far as I know the USDA doesn't buy their products, they just inspect them. Furthermore, the USDA isn't going to be able to do jack if Wellshire Farms no longer has customers willing to buy their fraudulently advertised products. It all boils down to, do you want your product to just satisfy the inspectors or do you want it to also satisfy the people who are consuming them and buying them. Wellshire Farms argument clearly stated that they are more concerned with following the USDA guidelines than they are about what their product is doing to their customers.

All Wellshire Farms has done is find the best loophole that MIGHT stand up in court, if this issue goes that far. On Tue, Nov 25, 2008 at 8:55 AM, Marciana R <marcianar@...> wrote:

Perhaps I'm biased because I got sick from their " Gluten Free " products, but if a company is that educated about gluten and parts per million, then for them to label their product gluten free is deliberately lying to the public. Yes, they **might** have been within the letter of the law, but they certainly were not within the spirit of the law. Fact is, they knew there was gluten and wheat in their products and they continued to label it GF, resulting in harm to many people.

BTW, I think their discussion of an USDA regulation is also specious, as they require every ingredient in a meat product to be listed on the label. Undisclosed wheat violates that.

Maureen

> From: mecreaves <mecreaves@...>

> Subject: [ ] Re: FW: Fraudulent " Gluten free " products need immediate recall

>

> Date: Tuesday, November 25, 2008, 6:05 AM

> IMHO - this company sounds very educated and informed and is

>

> complying with the only standards they are required to

> comply with.

> I do not believe there is any threshold for defining and

> labeling

> something as Gluten Free.

>

> Also IMHO - it is much better to get a response like this

> (edcuated

> and informed) than one that basically says " we

> don't know if our

> products are GF and aren't going to find out

> either " . To me, that's

> a piece of work and a company that would never get my

> business.

>

>

>

>

>

> >

> > > Hi all,

> > > I wrote to Wellshire Farms to express my thoughts

> on their so-

> called GF

> > > products, and here is the response I received.

> They clearly have

> no

> > > understanding of the customers to whom they hope

> to sell their

> products.

> > > Clearly they can't be trusted again.

> > >

> > > I'd love to have the contact information for

> Whole Foods if

> anyone can

> > > forward that along, thanks.

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > > ------------------------------

> > > *From:* Info (Wellshire Farms) [mailto:info@...]

> > > *Sent:* Monday, November 24, 2008 6:28 AM

> > > *To:* ddarcy@...

> > > *Subject:* Re: Fraudulent " Gluten free "

> products need immediate

> recall

> > >

> > > :

> > >

> > > There have been some questions about the status

> and production of

> our

> > > Wellshire and Garrett County gluten free Dino

> Bites as a result

> of a recent

> > >

> > > article printed in the Chicago Tribune. Our

> understanding after

> speaking

> > > with the author is that this article relates

> solely to reactions

> from

> > > children with anaphylaxis, that is, with severe

> reactions to any

> level of

> > > allergens.

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > > We have not discontinued making this product, but

> we are in the

> process of

> > > improving its formulation. Our products are

> governed by the USDA

> and its

> > > regulations, not the FDA's regulations. We

> are in complete

> compliance with

> > >

> > > the USDA regulations. However, in light of a new

> FDA proposal

> under

> > > consideration to re-define

> " gluten-free " to a lower level of

> gluten parts

> > > per million (ppm) in the product than is

> currently allowed under

> FDA

> > > regulated foods, we are also working on our

> products conforming

> to their

> > > definition of " gluten-free. " As the

> FDA considers setting a new

> > > regulation,

> > > this does not affect our legal obligation to

> comply with USDA

> regulations,

> > > which specifically govern the food products we

> produce. Our

> effort to

> > > reduce permitted gluten content is a proactive

> improvement of our

> product

> > > to

> > > meet our customer's needs, and an effort to

> comply with the

> strictest

> > > standards.

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > > Our Wellshire products are tested at a level of

> 200 ppm or less,

> which is

> > > equivalent to 99.98% gluten free. The FDA is now

> considering a

> new

> > > proposal

> > > that would reduce the amount of gluten to be 20

> ppm or to 99.998%

> gluten

> > > free. This will be difficult to achieve as wheat

> and other

> grains can

> > > become cross contaminated from growth in the

> fields, or milling

> in the

> > > combines. It becomes very, very difficult if not

> impossible to

> control.

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > > The FDA interprets the definition of gluten free

> to concern the

> level or

> > > amount of gluten in the product; thereby

> recognizing that there

> is still a

> > > contaminate of gluten in the product. The USDA

> bases the gluten

> free claim

> > > on the identity of the ingredients listed in the

> product, that is

> > > prohibiting the use of ingredients that contain

> gluten, such as

> wheat,

> > > barley, or rye.

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > > It may take a month more to fully complete the

> transition of the

> Wellshire

> > > products, but the Dino Bites will be returning to

> store shelves

> as soon as

> > > possible. This new Dino Bite will be a better

> tasting product,

> suitable

> > > for

> > > child and adult palates alike.

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > > Wellshire is committed to improving the quality

> of our products.

> We

> > > apologize for any inconvenience this confusion

> between the USDA

> and FDA

> > > regulations may have caused our customers.

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > > Thank you.

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > > Louis B. Colameco, III

> > >

> > > President

> > >

> > > ----- Original Message -----

> > > *From:* D Darcy <ddarcy@...>

> > > *To:* info@...

> > > *Sent:* Friday, November 21, 2008 4:43 PM

> > > *Subject:* Fraudulent " Gluten free "

> products need immediate recall

> > >

> > > Hello Wellshire Farms,

> > > I have a daughter with celiac disease. We had

> been buying your

> products,

> > > unaware that they could in fact be the cause of

> her still

> recurring stomach

> > > aches. It is horribly fraudulent to sell products

> labeled as

> gluten-free

> > > which in fact contain over 100 to over 1000 ppm

> of gluten.

> > >

> > > This article in the Chicago Tribune is what

> brought this to my

> attention.

> > > TinyURL: *http://tinyurl.com/5roj9n*

> <http://tinyurl.com/5roj9n>

> > >

> > > The article states that you have not recalled the

> products which

> remain on

> > > store shelves, despite repeated test results

> which show a high

> level of

> > > gluten in your " gluten-free " products.

> This is appalling and

> reprehensible.

> > > Clearly we can no longer trust your company to do

> the right thing

> where

> > > allergen-free foods are concerned. You will have

> to work hard to

> regain a

> > > good reputation among the celiac community. This

> article has been

> circulated

> > > to the many email lists of celiac patients, each

> of which contain

> 1000s of

> > > members.

> > >

> > > I hope you will realize the serious error in your

> decision not to

> recall

> > > these foods, and finally take action before more

> children suffer.

> > >

> > > Sincerely,

> > > Darcy

> > > ddarcy@...

> > > 1032 Harker Ave., Palo Alto, CA 94301

> > >

> > >

> > >

> >

[Guest guest]

Just fyi, Wellshire states in their reply to me below that they have not stopped production of these products while they figure this out.

Best,

From: [mailto: ] On Behalf Of mecreavesSent: Wednesday, November 26, 2008 6:45 AM Subject: [ ] Re: FW: Fraudulent "Gluten free" products need immediate recall

Please don't misinterpret this as advocating to purchase the product. I saw that they halted production of three of their products until the manufacturer can guarantee their batter is gluten free. And no, they didn't recall the existing products on the shelves. However, testing indicated a huge variance in results, some acceptable, some not (if you use the 200 ppm standard). When confronted with the two consumer complaints, they halted production.I was really directing my comment at the fact that they are aware that there is a debate and discrepancy regarding what it means to be "gluten free". There has been debate for quite some time about what it means to be GF and the measurable amount of gluten (200 vs 20). Even European states don't have standards and one article I found stated that products will almost certainly contain gluten even if they are labeled as GF. http://www.celiac.com/articles/206/1/Codex-Alimentarius-Explained---European-Gluten-Free-Standards-by-Frederik-Willem-Janssen/Page1.htmlNow I wouldn't knowingly purchase a product that has gluten in it (which is why I won't use McCann's Oats), but that doesn't mean that they can't label their product as GF in Europe (not saying McCann's does).The real fault for this situation lies in the fact that the FDA has been too slow to move on setting labeling standards for gluten.> > > > > Hi all,> > > I wrote to Wellshire Farms to express my thoughts on their so-> called GF> > > products, and here is the response I received. They clearly have > no> > > understanding of the customers to whom they hope to sell their > products.> > > Clearly they can't be trusted again.> > >> > > I'd love to have the contact information for Whole Foods if > anyone can> > > forward that along, thanks.> > > > > >> > >> > > ------------------------------> > > *From:* Info (Wellshire Farms) [mailto:info@]> > > *Sent:* Monday, November 24, 2008 6:28 AM> > > *To:* ddarcy@> > > *Subject:* Re: Fraudulent "Gluten free" products need immediate > recall> > >> > > :> > >> > > There have been some questions about the status and production of > our> > > Wellshire and Garrett County gluten free Dino Bites as a result > of a recent> > >> > > article printed in the Chicago Tribune. Our understanding after > speaking> > > with the author is that this article relates solely to reactions > from> > > children with anaphylaxis, that is, with severe reactions to any > level of> > > allergens.> > >> > >> > >> > > We have not discontinued making this product, but we are in the > process of> > > improving its formulation. Our products are governed by the USDA > and its> > > regulations, not the FDA's regulations. We are in complete > compliance with> > >> > > the USDA regulations. However, in light of a new FDA proposal > under> > > consideration to re-define "gluten-free" to a lower level of > gluten parts> > > per million (ppm) in the product than is currently allowed under > FDA> > > regulated foods, we are also working on our products conforming > to their> > > definition of "gluten-free." As the FDA considers setting a new> > > regulation,> > > this does not affect our legal obligation to comply with USDA > regulations,> > > which specifically govern the food products we produce. Our > effort to> > > reduce permitted gluten content is a proactive improvement of our > product> > > to> > > meet our customer's needs, and an effort to comply with the > strictest> > > standards.> > >> > >> > >> > > Our Wellshire products are tested at a level of 200 ppm or less, > which is> > > equivalent to 99.98% gluten free. The FDA is now considering a > new> > > proposal> > > that would reduce the amount of gluten to be 20 ppm or to 99.998% > gluten> > > free. This will be difficult to achieve as wheat and other > grains can> > > become cross contaminated from growth in the fields, or milling > in the> > > combines. It becomes very, very difficult if not impossible to > control.> > >> > >> > >> > > The FDA interprets the definition of gluten free to concern the > level or> > > amount of gluten in the product; thereby recognizing that there > is still a> > > contaminate of gluten in the product. The USDA bases the gluten > free claim> > > on the identity of the ingredients listed in the product, that is> > > prohibiting the use of ingredients that contain gluten, such as > wheat,> > > barley, or rye.> > >> > >> > >> > > It may take a month more to fully complete the transition of the > Wellshire> > > products, but the Dino Bites will be returning to store shelves > as soon as> > > possible. This new Dino Bite will be a better tasting product, > suitable> > > for> > > child and adult palates alike.> > >> > >> > >> > >> > >> > > Wellshire is committed to improving the quality of our products. > We> > > apologize for any inconvenience this confusion between the USDA > and FDA> > > regulations may have caused our customers.> > >> > >> > >> > > Thank you.> > >> > >> > >> > >> > >> > > Louis B. Colameco, III> > >> > > President> > >> > > ----- Original Message -----> > > *From:* D Darcy <ddarcy@>> > > *To:* info@> > > *Sent:* Friday, November 21, 2008 4:43 PM> > > *Subject:* Fraudulent "Gluten free" products need immediate recall> > >> > > Hello Wellshire Farms,> > > I have a daughter with celiac disease. We had been buying your > products,> > > unaware that they could in fact be the cause of her still > recurring stomach> > > aches. It is horribly fraudulent to sell products labeled as > gluten-free> > > which in fact contain over 100 to over 1000 ppm of gluten.> > >> > > This article in the Chicago Tribune is what brought this to my > attention.> > > TinyURL: *http://tinyurl. <http://tinyurl.com/5roj9n*> com/5roj9n*> <http://tinyurl. <http://tinyurl.com/5roj9n> com/5roj9n>> > >> > > The article states that you have not recalled the products which > remain on> > > store shelves, despite repeated test results which show a high > level of> > > gluten in your "gluten-free" products. This is appalling and > reprehensible.> > > Clearly we can no longer trust your company to do the right thing > where> > > allergen-free foods are concerned. You will have to work hard to > regain a> > > good reputation among the celiac community. This article has been > circulated> > > to the many email lists of celiac patients, each of which contain > 1000s of> > > members.> > >> > > I hope you will realize the serious error in your decision not to > recall> > > these foods, and finally take action before more children suffer.> > >> > > Sincerely,> > > Darcy> > > ddarcy@> > > 1032 Harker Ave., Palo Alto, CA 94301> > >> > > > > >> >>

[Guest guest]

I agree! I would love to be able to feel my son real GF corn dogs!MarciOn Nov 26, 2008, at 9:14 AM, Ivers wrote:While I am as annoyed as any of you with Wellshire, I think we should do our best to educate them instead of just excoriating them. If we write informative emails and letters to them, instead of just irate ones, we may be able to bring them back to being a good GF company. If we just stay with bashing them, nothing gets better.

[Guest guest]

First of all, I must be coming across as irate and a squeaky wheel regarding this matter. My intention isn't to whine and moan, while sitting here doing nothing. The original letter I sent them used the first paragraph to explain Celiac Disease and the effect that it has on those who have it, highlighting the facts of what happens when a person with Celiac gets contaminated. I realize that if you send a letter full of passionate statements as opposed to factual information, the company is just going to think you're whining. On here however, I am a little more vocal and don't use as much tact, mainly because I feel that some of the other Celiacs do feel the same way and want to see this get resolved. Plus, I have a hard time defending a company who is receiving these emails from their Celiac consumers, yet are STILL standing by their idea that they only need to follow the USDA regulations. Sometimes in order to make your company stand out, you need to think outside the box, learning MORE about the industry that you are trying to tap into and find ways to make your product SAFE for your target market.

I think sticking together on this matter is crucial in having Wellshire Farms understand the impact that this is having on their target market. As someone who is pushing for the FDA to regulate and enforce GF labeling laws, I also realize that this is something that takes time and until the labeling laws have reached across all spectrums of the food industry, the best thing to do is work directly with ANY misinformed companies. So, writing letters or calling and boycotting the product, is sometimes the best way to get the point across that change needs to be made.

Most importantly, I am not attacking any of you or saying that any of your points aren't valid. If it sounds that way, I apologize. I hope we can work together on this and come to some sort of plan, since clearly this situation with Wellshire (and maybe other companies) will not resolve itself.

Thank you,CrystalOn Wed, Nov 26, 2008 at 9:14 AM, Ivers <ericivers@...> wrote:

While I am as annoyed as any of you with Wellshire, I think we should do our best to educate them instead of just excoriating them. If we write informative emails and letters to them, instead of just irate ones, we may be able to bring them back to being a good GF company. If we just stay with bashing them, nothing gets better.

[Guest guest]

There are some, but they are hard to find. Ian's makes them (as well as fish

sticks and chicken nuggets). I got them once for my son, he loved them, and I

haven't found them since.

>

> > While I am as annoyed as any of you with Wellshire, I

> think we should do our best to educate them instead of just

> excoriating them. If we write informative emails and

> letters to them, instead of just irate ones, we may be able

> to bring them back to being a good GF company. If we just

> stay with bashing them, nothing gets better.

> >

> >

> >