Dining Out, Video 5

In honor of National Celiac Disease Awareness Month, I want to make sure that all my reader's understand exactly what Celiac Disease is and its impact. The University of Maryland's Center for Celiac Research has teamed with General Mills to produce a series of videos (find them here) that provides information on Celiac Disease and the gluten-free diet. Here is the 5th video of the series, Dining Out. Hopefully it helps ease any anxieties you may have the next time you go out to eat!

Video Desciption: Pam Cureton, registered dietitian at the University of Maryland Center for Celiac Research, gives tips for how to enjoy dining-out while maintaining a gluten-free diet. Calling restaurants ahead of time and the right questions to ask when choosing a restaurant and when ordering are covered.

Symptom Checker

Many of you have asked me how you might tell if you have Celiac Disease. The below photo is a great visual of a symptom checker that lets you know the common symptoms of Celiac Disease and the other conditions associated with this autoimmune disease. If you feel like you have that any of these symptoms, particularly the ones in bold, please consult your physician and ask for a tTg antigen blood test. However, do not automatically go on a gluten-free diet until you have spoken with your physician or you may not get a proper diagnosis.

Navigating the Grocery Store, Video 4

In honor of National Celiac Disease Awareness Month, I want to make sure that all my reader's understand exactly what Celiac Disease is and its impact. The University of Maryland's Center for Celiac Research has teamed with General Mills to produce a series of videos (find them here) that provides information on Celiac Disease and the gluten-free diet. Here is the 4th video of the series, Navigating the Grocery Store. Hopefully, this eases your stress the next time you walk into your local grocery.

Video Description: Pam Cureton, registered dietitian at the University of Maryland Center for Celiac Research, discusses what you need to know to navigate the grocery store when you are shopping for gluten-free foods. She describes the allergen labeling law and how that can help you when shopping for gluten-free food choices. She tells you the 5 key words you need to know to look for when shopping gluten-free.

Frito Lay and Gluten Free

Frito-Lay Announces Initiative to Validate and Label Products as Gluten Free

May 17, 2012

Partners with the Celiac Disease Foundation and the National Foundation of Celiac Awareness to help educate consumers about Celiac disease

PLANO, Texas - PepsiCo’s Frito-Lay North America division today announced a multi-year initiative to validate many of their products as gluten free, with package labeling to follow. Since many of the company’s snacks, such as Lay’s Classic potato chips and Fritos Original corn chips are made from simple ingredients like corn or potatoes, they are, and always have been, naturally made without gluten ingredients.

Frito-Lay is not removing gluten from products, rather, has developed a gluten free validation process with input from the Food Allergy Research and Resource Program (FARRP) and the Celiac Disease Foundation (CDF) for testing ingredients and finished products to ensure they contain less than 20 parts per million (ppm) of gluten before making a “gluten free” claim. This level is in accordance with the limit set forth by the FDA in its Proposed Rule for Gluten Free Labeling (2007).

May is National Celiac Disease Awareness Month. Celiac disease is a digestive disorder triggered by intolerance to gluten, a generic name for certain types of proteins contained in the common cereal grains wheat, barley, rye and their derivatives. It is one of the most common genetic autoimmune conditions in the world and often goes undiagnosed. It is estimated three million Americans have Celiac disease and up to 21 million may have some level of gluten sensitivity. The only treatment is a lifelong adherence to a gluten-free diet.

Frito-Lay is partnering with the Celiac Disease Foundation (CDF) and the National Foundation for Celiac Awareness (NFCA) to educate consumers and health professionals about gluten free resources and options. Activities through Frito-Lay’s partnerships will include development of educational content in English and Spanish, and cross promotion through social media channels.

“We understand that living with gluten sensitivities can present some challenges, and when you or a loved one is diagnosed it can be overwhelming and confusing. We are doing our due diligence to ensure that our validated products comply with the proposed standards by testing ingredients and finished products, so the shopper can trust our gluten free claim,” said Kari Hecker Ryan, PhD, RD, director, nutrition science and regulatory affairs, Frito-Lay North America.

“We are also proud to be partnering with Celiac Disease Foundation and the National Foundation for Celiac Awareness, as the work they do is so important to those with Celiac disease and gluten sensitivities as well as their support systems,” said Danielle Dalheim, RD, associate principal nutrition scientist, Frito-Lay North America. “We know that these two organizations are the go-to resources for those who are on a medically-prescribed gluten free diet, and we are committed to supporting their missions.”

The Celiac Disease Foundation is a non-profit, voluntary health organization, dedicated to providing services and support regarding celiac disease and gluten sensitivity through programs of awareness, education, advocacy and research.  “Frito-Lay will make label reading especially easy for gluten sensitive consumers, as it is starts to include its own Gluten Free symbol or claim on qualified snack products,” states Marilyn Geller, chief operating officer, Celiac Disease Foundation.  "We thank Frito-Lay for their support of our mission to raise awareness and increase the rate of diagnosis.”

“Gluten free grocery shopping can be stressful at times, especially for those newly diagnosed,” says Alice Bast, president, National Foundation for Celiac Awareness. “The transition to the gluten free diet is easier when familiar brands already in the pantry make a gluten free commitment. Frito-Lay’s effort to provide its customers with easy-to-access information is commendable and we would like to see more national brands embrace this level of clarity.” NFCA, through its comprehensive website (celiaccentral.org) provides a variety of resources to both consumers and professionals including free webinars, cooking videos and printable guides.

The gluten free claim that Frito-Lay is adding to qualified products appears in the form of a “GF” icon and/or a statement on the back of the bag. Changes to packaging are being phased in and can take some time.  Visit Frito-Lay’s website, http://www.fritolay.com/your-health/us-products-not-containing-gluten-ingredients.html, as it is the most up-to-date resource to identify products qualified as gluten free.

Find original article on Frito-Lay's website here.

Choosing the right food, Video 3

In honor of National Celiac Disease Awareness Month, I want to make sure that all my reader's understand exactly what Celiac Disease is and its impact. The University of Maryland's Center for Celiac Research has teamed with General Mills to produce a series of videos (find them here) that provides information on Celiac Disease and the gluten-free diet. Here is the 3rd video of the series, Choosing the Right Food. Staying on a gluten-free diet is important to staying healthy. Cutting out gluten can lead to other nutrient deficiencies so it is important to make up for those loses in other ways. Enjoy!

Video description: Pam Cureton, registered dietitian at the University of Maryland Center for Celiac Research, describes how to eat a gluten-free diet including what foods are naturally gluten-free and what foods must be avoided when following a gluten-free diet.

My 1st ever TWITTER PARTY!

In honor of May being National Celiac Disease Awareness Month, Schar Gluten Free Foods and I have teamed up to host a twitter party! Tomorrow from 6-7pm Eastern Standard Time (which is 2-3pm AKST). I will be tweeting about everything related to celiac disease and gluten free! From tips and facts on gluten free living to info about Schar and actions you can take to help them better meet your needs. I will also be giving away 5 Schar dining kits for two. The kit includes breads, pasta, cookies & more! I've already received mine and believe me, you don't want to miss out!

My twitter name is @BrandyWendler and when you tweet with me use the hashtag #ScharCares and follow Schar on twitter as well @Scharglutenfree

Final version of SCR 16 resolution and Governor's signature