Root Beer, the darker side of caramel, and how to tell if a product is gluten-free

[Guest guest]

For a good discussion of the ins and outs of caramel:

http://www.glutenfreeclub.com/articles/caramel.html

As always, I advise not to exclude entire food categories

because some foods in that category contain gluten. So, rather than

eliminating all sodas based on the fact that “some” sodas made with

caramel coloring may contain gluten, check out the particular soda you want to

drink. The vast majority of sodas contain no gluten. But, because

of the few that do, you need to check the ones you actually want to drink.

In other words, don’t throw the baby out with the bathwater!

It is so very easy now to check on products. Why, I

remember, back in the olden days 20 years ago when a modem meant you had to

pick up the phone receiver and physically place it in a modem device and the

internet was something only a handful of people knew about, I actually had to

write letters (ON PAPER) to manufacturers to find out if their products were

gluten-free and feel lucky when I actually got an answer. (If I was clever, I

would put in one of those smiley-face things with a beard and a hearing aid

here.)

So, for those new at this, here’s how you find out

if a product is gluten-free or not:

First: read the label. Look for obvious gluten or a

statement that says wheat is included or the product is processed in a shared

facility. Or, look for the actual words “Gluten-Free” on the

label (another thing that didn’t exist 20 years ago). Usually they

put this near the ingredients list, but sometimes they sneak it in on the front

or some other obscure spot (sometimes I have found myself scouring the

ingredient list only to notice afterwards that the words “gluten-free”

are in type 2 inches high on the front of the box). If that still leaves

you uncertain, go to the next step.

Second: consult a reliable list. There are ones for

purchase, such as Clan , that you can download on the internet.

You can find lists online (often the gluten-free/casein-free people have good lists,

especially if you also need to eliminate dairy), but do make sure the

information on an online list is up-to-date. Of you can buy the list as a

CD or book:

http://www.ceceliasmarketplace.com/gluten-free-guide.html

http://www.csaceliacs.org/ProductListing.php

Third (or second if you don’t want to bother with a

list): search online. Just enter the name and brand and the word “gluten”.

This may bring up lists or postings or other references to the product. Alternatively,

go straight to the manufacturer’s web site and look for nutritional

information or the FAQ section (or search the site for “gluten”).

I find about 90% of the information I need this way.

Fourth: contact the manufacturer directly. Often they

will list an 800 number on the label or on the website. Or you can e-mail

them if the address is on the label or on the website. If you can’t

find an e-mail, 800 number or address (very rare these days), look on the label

for the city and state of the manufacturer (or distributor if it is not made in

the US), then call 411 and ask for the area code for that city and state.

Then dial the manufacturer’s area code plus 555-1212 for local

information and ask for the phone number. You can also try for an 800

number by calling 1-800-555-1212, which is information for 800 numbers. If

all you can find is a street address, you might be forced to write them a

letter and send it through the mail (I think you’d have to want the

product pretty badly to bother with this, especially with so many great

gluten-free options around now).

If you are still unable to get good information, don’t

use the product and look for a GF alternative. Of course, the steps above need

not be followed in any strict order; choose the course that seems easiest to

you first, then move on until you get the info you need.

Also, if any of you on this list have any experience with

any of the lists or guides above, let us know how they worked out for you.

Let me know if you have any further questions about this

process. It is an important skill for all celiacs, young and old, to

have!

Pam

From: [mailto: ]

On Behalf Of Deb Matsuoka

Sent: Monday, November 09, 2009 1:57 PM

Subject: [ ] Root Beer?

I hear a ton of debate about Caramel Color

and Root Beer... is it safe to drink? Is it Gluten Free?

Please let me know