Gluten-Free Foods in the

Commercial Market

    In this section, gluten-free foods available in the commercial food market will be featured.  Manufacturers and distributors will be invited to share stories, descriptions, and recommendations for products.  Celiacs will be asked to share information on favorites, old standbys, and new products that they feel are good choices for the gluten-free diet.  It will be helpful if the following information could be included for each food item recommended:                              

Following this Section is a Listing of Commercial Firms and Manufacturers of Gluten-Free Foods  

   White Oak Farm Cookies

    White Oak Farms, Inc. bakes honey-almond and chocolate-almond cookies.  These macaroons are made from sugar, egg whites, crushed almonds, apricot kernel, honey or cocoa and natural flavorings.  The macaroons cookies are baked, cooled, hand-packed  and frozen for delivery.  In your home, macaroons cookies should be kept in the freezer until consumption.

    These specialty cookies are gluten-free.  If you have any questions concerning ingredients, storage or availability, please feel free to call our toll-free ordering line at  1-800-473-8869.  Thank you for your interest in White Oak Farms, Inc. macaroons [gluten-free] cookies.

                                        Randi Gaiero, White Oaks Farms, Inc.

Soar With Chebe Bread

    Cheese lovers can rejoice!  Chebe Bread is a distinctive and versatile cheese bread mix from Brazil now available in the United States.  Chebe comes from the oven with a crispy crust and chewy inside which makes it one-of-a-kind taste sensation.  Use Chebe Bread to make Cheese Rolls, Bread Sticks, Pizza Crust, Hamburger Buns, Cinnamon Rolls, Calzones, Tortillas, Flat Bread, Desserts, and more--let your creativity soar.

    Made primarily of manioc flour, Chebe Bread is a versatile mix that is easy and fun to prepare for adults and kids alike.  Just add eggs, oil, water, and your favorite cheese, bake, and Voila!  You have a fresh and delicious gourmet bread alternative in minutes.  You may think it is best since sliced bread.

    Chebe Bread is natural and gluten-free, a great option for those persons with gluten intolerance.  Chebe Bread contains manioc flour, modified manioc starch, dry milk, and salt.  That's it!  No gluten, no yeast, no MSG.

    Chebe Bread's culinary heritage dates to the early 16th century when the indigenous tropicl manioc root [also known as cassava or yucca] was an essential staple in the diet of native populations.  Today, Cheve is the national bread of Brazil and is enjoyed by millions in fine restaurants, corner bakeries, and crowded kiosks where it is served with a cup of strong coffee or juice.

    Chebe Bread is available for purchase in natural food stores nationwide.  For further information and to order, contact Prima Provisions by phone at 800-217-9510 or write PO Box 991, Newport, VT  05855.

                                        Dick Reed, Prima Provisions

Hamburger Buns  

    Gluten-Free Delights specializes in gluten-free bakery products that are prepared from scratch, baked fresh, and shipped direct to you.

    If you've been missing a bun for hamburger...look no further!  Our hamburger bun is tender and soft.  Also works great for a deli sandwich as well.  Simply warm the bun before making a sandwich with it.  Hamburger buns are packaged five per package and run $5.75.

    Our products are preservative free and need to be frozen when received.

    Ingredients:  white rice flour, tapioca flour, water, nonfat dry milk, eggs, butter, sugar, yeast, xanthan gum, salt, vinegar, vegetable spray.

    Shop online and view our products at  www.glutenfreedelights.com  or write us for a brochure at  Gluten-Free Delights, Inc., PO Box 284, Cedar Falls, IA  50613.  Or, call toll-free  1/800/403-1806.

                                        Diana Hartman,  Gluten-Free Delights

Obtaining Gluten-Free Foods Commercially

             A wide variety of gluten-free products are available commercially within the United States.  The representative listings included make up only a small group [a sampling] of commercial units that advertise they can serve celiacs with gluten-free foods. 

             Each company has their own marketing and promotion materials and will provide listings and descriptions of products along with order forms on request.  It may be best to call or write first so as to obtain products that will meet your own specific clinical and dietary needs.

             Be certain that you have an understanding of such terms as “gluten-free,” “gluten-restricted” and “low gluten,” etc.  If you are a CELIAC, request only GLUTEN-FREE PRODUCTS.  If in doubt, request a listing of ingredients for your review.  Learn whether the products being reviewed are truly without any one of the offending glutens; and, ask whether the products meet only the requirements and standards of the International Codex Alimentarius which allows a gluten content up to 5 percent of the total weight of the product.  If your clinical needs are to be on a gluten-free diet, those kinds of products are not acceptable.  

Commercial Firms and Manufacturers: an abbreviated listing.

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 Notes for Caution and Self-Management

             Note of Caution.  At the present time, there is no active public or private regulatory agency to survey and assure that a commercial company sponsoring gluten-free food items uses good manufacturing practices which assure that a for-sale gluten-free food item is and was gluten-free and will remain gluten-free.  Included in these practices, but not limited to are the following considerations:

            1]   selection of gluten-free, non-contaminated ingredients;

            2]  no use of hidden toxic ingredients which may be a toxicity or sensitivity for the patient on the gluten-free prescription diet; 

  3]  declaration of content for all excipients, emulsifiers, extenders and preservatives;

  4]  declaration of ingredients in “non-declared” categories  and the categories of “non-regulated” additives and ingredients; 

  5]  manufacture and preparation of the food items in a non-contaminated or non-toxic environment;

  6]  use of a wrap or packaging that is non-contaminated with offending grain-derived products and/or other non-toxic acids, glues, sealers, and treatments; 

  7]  storage practices which eliminate contamination and are pesticide- and chemical-free;

  8] assurance of  collection and gathering practices through manufacturing and processing and on to the consumer which assure non-contamination. 

           Reward and Recognition for Companies.  At the present time, there is no reward or recognition nor added remuneration for companies who go far beyond all of the above considerations.  These companies spend thousands of dollars to assure good manufacturing standards and practices.  They show a dedication to the consumer and their special diet needs and/or the needs of their illness.  They show and represent  a high level of serving and service to the celiac consumer.

            Need for Review of Food Items from Foreign Countries.  As long as the international definition of “gluten-free” remains at 5 percent of total weight allowed as gluten—the celiac consumer will need to review food items on the shelf from foreign countries to learn if the food item may be “strictly gluten-free” or be “gluten-containing” or “gluten-restricted.”  Note that the term “gluten-free” may be used on the food label and its accompanying promotion and advertisements since the food item will meet the 3 percent level of weight definition currently set by the international standards of the Codex Alimentarius Committee seated in Rome, Italy. 

             Most American companies located in the United States who sponsor products manufactured and processed in a foreign country have reviewed content and manufacturing and can then truly represent these products as gluten-free.   However, since celiac consumers are doing direct orders and are utilizing products from commercial firms not aligned with the needs of the gluten-free diet, A STRONG WORD OF CAUTION is in order.  Before use of a product manufactured and processed outside of the U.S., the celiac consumer needs to review ingredients and be assured that contents fit their particular needs for the gluten-free diet. 

             Again the message is:  THE BUYER MUST BEWARE!  And the celiac buyer must have good information to be able to move to self-management for the dictates of the gluten-free diet, his or her prescription for the diet that includes the food items appropriate at this time and for the needs prescribed.  

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Last Updated on 02.20.02    webmaster@e-celiacs.org