Easter: Gluten-Free and Diary-Free Candy

Three years ago I spent 6 months compiling a list of gluten-free & dairy-free candy. I called and emailed many manufactures, as well as searching their websites. Today, I am happy to say that there are several wonderful groups out there doing this for us.

Celiac Disease Foundation just posted a 2014 gluten-free candy list.
AvoidingMilkProtein.com has a detailed 2014 diary-free candy list
The GFCF Diet Intervention-Autism Diet has a gluten-free and dairy-free list
BAAAB Bay Area Allergy Advisory Board also has a 2014 Gluten-Free and Casein Free Candy List

2014 Gluten-Free & Dairy-Free Candy Lists

I want to thank all these people who must have spent many hours researching and confirming this information.

Have a safe and wonderful Halloween & Holiday Season!




Photo by: http://www.crohniebolognaibd.com/?b2w=http://crohniebolognaibd.blogspot.com/2013_03_01_archive.html

Simply Organic/Frontier Recalls Spice (March 2015)

Easter and Passover are right around the corner and I am preparing to make Brisket again this year.
I like to plan ahead and purchase whatever non perishable ingredients I need ahead of time. Off I went to several stores and I could not find Simply Organic French Onion Soup Mix. The guy at Sprouts told me they ran out. The guy at Whole Foods told me that he thought there had been a recall. SURPRISED! I always use this brand and have some items at home. I went home to research this. 

Simply Organic Recall

Simply Organic/Frontier has recalled 41items. See the list below or click here for the FDA recall list.

 

Simply Organic/Frontier Recall
Brand	Description	Affected Lots	UPC	Size
Frontier	Powdered Garlic, Certified Organic	4156, 4171, 4238, 4297, 4325, 4342, 5033, 5041	0-89836-00352-2	16 oz. (453 g)
Frontier	Fiesta Black Bean Mix, Certified Organic	4160, 4226, 4307, 4364, 5005	0-89836-02761-0	16 oz. (453 g)
Frontier	Refried Pinto Beans Mix, Certified Organic	4240, 4322, 4345	0-89836-02762-7	16 oz. (453 g)
Frontier	Low Sodium Broth Powder Vegetable Flavored, Certified Organic	4157, 4198, 4240, 4281, 4328, 5002	0-89836-02780-1	16 oz. (453 g)
Frontier	Vegetarian Broth Powder No-Chicken, Certified Organic	4157, 4178, 4197, 4238, 4239, 4267, 4280, 4336, 4353, 5007, 5035, 5036	0-89836-02869-3	16 oz. (453 g)
Frontier	Onion Soup & Dip Mix, Certified Organic	4143, 4246, 4258, 4279, 4290, 4318, 4335, 4349, 5036	0-89836-02918-8	16 oz. (453 g)
Frontier	Ranch Dip/Dressing Mix, Certified Organic	4199, 4247, 4317, 4363, 5022, 5055	0-89836-02926-3	16 oz. (453 g)
Frontier	Powdered Garlic, Certified Organic	4171, 4238, 4297, 4325, 4342, 5033	0-89836-80352-8	400 oz./11.3 kg/ 25.0 lbs.
Frontier	Vegetarian Broth Powder No-Chicken, Certified Organic	4178, 4336, 5007, 5036	0-89836-82869-9	400 oz./11.3 kg/ 25.0 lbs.
Frontier	Organic Garlic Powder	4183, 4224, 4268, 4315, 4349, 5023	0-89836-18351-4	2.33 oz. (66g)
Frontier	Organic Mama Garlic 5 oz.	4290	0-89836-18506-8	5 oz. (141 g)
Frontier	Pepper Fusion Black Peppercorns with Garlic	4321, 4356	0-89836-19502-9	1.76 oz. (49 g)
Simply Organic	Italian Herb Spaghetti Sauce Mix	4199, 4245, 4287	0-89836-15710-2	1.31 oz. (37 g)
Simply Organic	Chipotle Black Bean Dip Mix	4262, 4344	0-89836-15714-0	1.13 oz. (32 g)
Simply Organic	Fish Taco Seasoning	4245, 4300, 4330, 5012	0-89836-18534-1	1.13 oz. (32 g)
Simply Organic	Fajita Seasoning	4118, 4246, 4287, 4332, 5008, 5030	0-89836-18535-8	1.0 oz. (28 g)
Simply Organic	Veggie Chili Seasoning	4208, 4259, 4282, 4311, 5015, 5047	0-89836-18536-5	1.0 oz. (28 g)
Simply Organic	Spicy Chili Seasoning	4212, 4260, 4272, 4282, 4311, 4343, 5016, 5050	0-89836-18537-2	1.0 oz. (28 g)
Simply Organic	Sweet Basil Pesto Sauce Mix	4196, 4238, 4280, 4330, 4364, 5037	0-89836-18542-6	0.53 oz. (15 g)
Simply Organic	Roasted Garlic Spaghetti Sauce Mix	4245, 4286	0-89836-18543-3	1.13 oz. (32 g)
Simply Organic	Alfredo Sauce Mix	4182, 4223, 4224, 4272, 4353, 5027	0-89836-18544-0	1.48 oz. (41 g)
Simply Organic	Enchilada Sauce Seasoning	4247, 4290, 4336, 5012, 5033	0-89836-18744-4	1.41 oz. (39 g)
Simply Organic	Ranch Mix Dressing	4147, 4195, 4225, 4274, 4315, 4356, 5027, 5028	0-89836-18833-5	1.0 oz. (28 g)
Simply Organic	Classic Caesar Dressing	4149, 4196, 4232	0-89836-18836-6	1.25 oz. (35 g)
Simply Organic	Ranch Dip Mix	4194, 4195, 4226, 4274, 4315, 4356, 4360, 5028	0-89836-18840-3	1.5 oz. (42 g)
Simply Organic	French Onion Dip Mix	4157, 4197, 4258, 4258A, 4281, 4281A, 4325, 4364, 5040	0-89836-18841-0	1.10 oz. (31 g)
Simply Organic	Guacamole Dip Mix	4148, 4176, 4195, 4254, 4255, 4302, 4318, 4363, 5029, 5030	0-89836-18842-7	0.80 oz. (22 g)
Simply Organic	Creamy Dill Dip Mix	4156, 4197, 4237, 4279, 4324, 5009, 5035	0-89836-18843-4	0.70 oz. (19 g)
Simply Organic	Pour le chili vegetarienne/ Veggie Chili Seasoning (French/English)	5015, 5047	0-89836-18870-0	28g
Simply Organic	Pour le chili epice/ Spicy Chili Seasoning (French/English)	4260, 4282, 4343, 5016, 5050	0-89836-18871-7	28g
Simply Organic	Trempettes ranch/ Ranch Dip Mix (French/English)	4194, 4226, 4274, 4315, 4356, 5028	0-89836-18877-9	42g
Simply Organic	Trempettes a l’oignon a la francaise/ French Onion Dip Mix (French/English)	4157, 4197, 4258, 4325, 4364, 5040	0-89836-18878-6	31g
Simply Organic	Trempettes a guacamole/ Guacamole Dip Mix (French/English)	4148, 4302, 4318, 4363, 5029	0-89836-18879-3	22g
Simply Organic	Trempettes a l’aneth cremeux/ Creamy Dill Dip Mix (French/English)	4156, 4197, 4237, 4323, 4365, 5035	0-89836-18880-9	24g
Simply Organic	Vegetarian Brown Gravy Mix	4230, 4268, 4310, 4351, 5026	0-89836-18956-1	1.0 oz. (28 g)
Simply Organic	Fajita Seasoning (French/English)	5007	0-89836-20002-0	28g
Simply Organic	Pesto a basilic doux/ Sweet Basil Pesto Mix (French/English)	4364, 5037	0-89836-20004-4	15g
Simply Organic	Sauce brune vegetarienne/ Vegetarian Brown Gravy Mix (French/English)	4230, 4268, 4310, 5026	0-89836-20007-5	28g
Whole Foods Market	Organic Muchi Curry Seasoning	4129	0-99482-44577-5	2.08 oz. (59 g)

The Rundown Part 2: The Expo Newbies Treats

As I mentioned there are 1000's of vendors at the Expo, so when I say this company or item is new, I mean it is new to me, to this side of the country, or the Expo itself.
There were definitely some stand-out companies and products. I was really happy to be there with people who could taste the foods I couldn't taste.
Here is my 6 top products, by type of item, and in order of preference:

1. I already blogged about Toufayan: the fabulous new gluten-free pita chips. Click here to read.

Toufayan: Gluten-Free Pita Chips

2. Elements
Elements was my 2nd favorite snack. I had the Dark Chocolate Rice Cakes and I was left wanting more.  Of course they are made in Italy, but I didn't know that when I became excited about this low calorie, low sugar, gluten-free, GMO Free, etc.

Elements Gluten-Free Rice Cakes

3. Natural Decadence 
This company was started by two lifelong friends who were both diagnose with food allergies. 

"Both as a gluten free mom and adult with food allergies, we know how hard it can be to find artisan foods for those on restricted diets." This cookies and baked treats were a hit at the Expo. People would stop by to try 1 thing and stay and try everything.
The product line has: pies, pizza dough, cookies, cookie dough, stuffing mix, graham crackers, shortbread and bread crumbs.

Natural Decadence Gluten-Free Pies

4.  Goodie Girls
Glamour Magazine exclaimed, "These cookies are heaven."
Flavors include Quinoa Choco-Chip, Midnight Brownie, Mint Slims, Oatmeal Raisin, and Crunchy Chaos.

Goodie Girls: Gluten-free Quinoa Choco-Chip Cookies

 5. Eat Pastry
Many of us know Eat Pastry for the cookie dough found in the refrigerator section. 
NOW they have introduced Single-Serve Gluten-Free Baking Mixes: Buttermilk Biscuits, Chocolate Cake, and Muffins

Eat Pastry: Gluten Free Mixes

6. Bloomfield

I know Bloomfield has been around for awhile BUT this is the first time I tasted their products.

They had rolls and bread. They were very good and well worth taking another look at the company.

Bloomfield Farms Gluten-Free Products

 This is just a spattering of the new products I tried. Hope you have fun exploring the ever expanding gluten-free market.


Stay Tuned for my Favorite Gluten-Free Meals: next Post

The Rundown: New At The Expo: 2015

The Natural Products Expo West 2015 featured more gluten-free vendors than ever before. It can be very overwhelming so this year I focused on new products from the tried and true companies and stand out new gluten-free companies. Look for my next post on new discoveries. The list of companies is in alphabetical order. Please note that the launch date on these products varies, so it could be several months before the stores start carrying them. 

Enjoy Life
Enjoy Life is coming out with 5 new items. Gluten- Free All Purpose Flour, Pizza Crust Mix, Brownie Mix, Muffin Mix and Pancake & Waffle Mix.

Enjoy Life: Gluten Free for 2015

  feel good foods: 
Gluten-Free Asian food introduced gluten-free egg rolls and dumplings in 2013.
In 2015, they added Gluten-Free Asian Entrees: 
 General Tso's Chicken, Broad Noodles with Chicken & Chinese Broccoli

Vegetable Fried Brown Rice, Stir-Fry Chicken & Vegetables, Mongolian Beef with Asparagus & Scallions,

feel good foods: New Gluten-Free Asian Meals

Glutenfreeda: Look for their new Branding.(No Photos Yet)
Glutenfreeda has redesigned and repackaged their products.
They now have Instant Oatmeal in to-go cups.
Granola in "The Bag"
New Products: Gluten-Free Oats: Berry Medley
                      Gluten-Free Oats: Brown Sugar Flax
                      Gluten-Free Oats: Variety Pack

Glutenfreeda

Gratify: 
You may have seen Gratify Gluten-Free Pretzel but their line has some fun items. Click here to check it out.  
New for 2015 is Gluten-Free Vanilla Cookies and Gluten-Free Cracker Thins

Gratify Gluten-Free

Immaculate: 
Look in the refrigerated section of the stores to find Gluten-Free Coconut Macaroons.

Immaculate: Gluten-Free Coconut Macaroon

King Arthur: 
King Arthur has added Gluten-Free all-purpose flour and Gluten-Free Banana Bread    Mix to their line of gluten-free mixes and flours. 

King Arthur New Gluten-Free Banana Mix and All Purpose Flour

Kinnikinnick: 
Kinnikinnick has reformulated their breads and they are now "soft bread". 
Kinnikinnick has gluten-free Vanilla Wafers.

 

Kinnikinnick Gluten-Free Vanilla Wafers

Pamela's: After 27 years Pamela's Gluten-Free line is extensive.
Introducing in 2015:
Simple Bites Mini Cookies: Snicker-doodles
Grahams: Honey, Chocolate, Cinnamon, 
               

Mini Grahams: Honey Minis, Chocolate Minis, Cinnamon Minis

Pamela's Gluten-Free Mini Grahams

Tates:
New in 2015: Ginger Zinger, Double Chocolate Chip, and Chocolate Chip

Tate's Gluten-Free Cookies

Udi's
Udi's introduced many new items: 
Cookies: Maple Chocolate Chip, Salted Caramel Cashew, Peanut Butter Coconut

 Ancient Grain Crisps: Sea salt, Aged Cheddar, Jalapeno Cheddar

 Granola Bars: Chocolate Chip, Cranberry almond, Ancient Grain
 Opinion: I tried these bars and was pleasantly surprised at how moist and enjoyable they were.

 Steel Cut Oats: Plain and Currant, Flax and Chia Seeds

Vans
Vans now has Gluten-Free Granola Clusters: Blueberry Walnut and Cranberry Almond
       

Vans Simply Delicious: New Gluten Free Granola Clusters

Beware of Sea Salt and Caramel

The Expo always features new items but this is the 1st year I have seen such a running theme.
Sea Salt and Caramel Products were everywhere! Most look delicious but I have to be honest many of the new Sea Salt and Caramel products were not good. Some were even inedible in my opinion. 

Salted Caramel Cupcakes

I tried Salted Caramel Coconut Ice cream by several vendors. 
I even tasted Salted Caramel Goat ice Cream.
There was Salted caramel cookies, crackers, chips, pita chips and chocolate.
I would not buy any of them. 

Sea salt and caramel are flavor profiles I enjoy, so it really surprised me how distasteful some of the items were. I heard comments throughout the day about this combination so the big question is why these companies insisted on featuring sea salt and caramel products at the Expo.

I chose a photo that was nondescript to avoid pointing a finger at one specific brand. I have never tried these cupcakes and thank trophycupcakes.com for the beautiful photo.

Teen Dies After Eating Dairy At A Diner

I still have tears in my eyes after reading an article on DailyMail.com. A 16 year old boy, who has suffered from anaphylaxis allergies to dairy, died after eating gluten-free pancakes containing dairy. He and his family were assured that the pancakes were dairy-free and that the cooking surface was cleaned before they made the pancakes.

This is my biggest fear. I have anaphylaxis allergies to celery, mango, pistachio and sunflower seeds. I try not let my fear take over my life but I will not eat somewhere I don't feel safe. I worry about the accuracy of the information the kitchen staff is giving me. I search the food when it is delivered to look for visible signs of the food I am allergic to. I go to the same restaurants over and over because new places concern me. 

I have been rushed to the hospital 4 times for anaphylaxis reactions to celery. It has been 19 years since my last attack yet I still remember the itchy skin, and how the roof of my mouth felt. I remember my skin burning and the difficulty I had breathing. Near death experiences like these stay with a person. Reading this article reminded me why.   

 

"Doctors told the Johnsons the dairy exposure had led to anaphylaxis so severe that Scott's heart had stopped. Three days after the family breakfast, Scott died."  Scott didn't have his Epi-Pen with him that day.

According to DailyNews.com, 16 year old Scott Johnson, died of anaphylaxis allergies due to dairy, after being assured the pancakes were dairy-free.

My prays and love to Scott's family!

Reference:

 Parents of teen killed by severe dairy allergy sue diner that 'served him pancakes made with milk and said they were dairy free'

By Josh Gardner For Dailymail.com

Published: 08:53 EST, 16 March 2015 | Updated: 10:18 EST, 16 March 2015

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2997105/Parents-teen-killed-severe-dairy-allergy-sue-diner-served-milk-laced-pancakes.html#ixzz3UgYwOXYJ

Cookies Con Amore: 2015

Nestled in the midst of 2985 booths, which were housed in 3 buildings and several tents, including the Hilton and the Anaheim Convention Center, was my favorite gluten-free bakers; Cookies Con Amore / Glutenetto. I was pleasantly surprised that they knew who I was and it felt like a reunion. I ate cookies for days after the Expo. Thank you!!!!! Please click here and check out their fabulous selection of gluten-free cookies.  

The Amazing Ladies Behind Cookies Con Amore/Glutenetto

Gluten-Free Pita Bread by Toufayan Bakeries

This year's Expo was a very different experience for me. I got to share the experience with my 2 sisters. It was their first time there and they were like 2 kids in a candy shop. Linda is dairy-free and testing out living gluten-free. Chris and her husband are gluten-free and dairy-free so being able to see all the possibilities and try the food was such a great experience.

Early on in the day I decided to slow down and let the day flow. I had my handy list of "must see vendors" but seeing the Expo through the eyes of my sisters really keyed me on what is important to my clients and readers. NEW PRODUCTS and POSSIBILITIES.

This year I mainly focused on new gluten-free companies and new products from some of my favorites.

MY FAVORITE NEW  PRODUCT this year is Toufayan Bakeries gluten-free pita bread.
These tasty treats were filled with flavor and had a wonderful crunch.These chips satisfy the urge to  have delicious crunchy food snacks. I didn't have the opportunity to taste the gluten-free wraps because the snow storm on the East Coast  prevented product from getting to the Expo but the Pita Chips were great.

"The Toufayan family has taken its 85 year history of making pita bread, and created the first gluten free pita chip that tastes great. Toufayan’s Gluten Free Pita Chips are Vegan, Non GMO, Oven Baked and are All Natural, with no Cholesterol or Trans-Fats. Our Gluten Free Pita Chips also have a uniquely crunchy texture with a taste the entire family will love. Like our original pita chips, Toufayan Gluten Free Pita Chips are “Scoop-Able”, specially shaped to scoop up the goodness of your favorite dips."

Toufayan Bakeries Gluten-Free Pita Chips

"Like our regular wraps, Toufayan Gluten Free Wraps use only top quality, wholesome ingredients. They are naturally cholesterol free and trans fat free. True to the original traditions, we hearth bake each wrap to perfection so they are convenient and versatile.They are moist, delicious and nutritious, Toufayan Gluten Free Wraps are great for breakfast, lunch or afternoon snacking"

Toufayan Bakeries Gluten-Free Pita Wraps

Natural Products Expo West

I am off to the Natural Products Expo West tomorrow and was wondering if you have any specific vendors you would like me to check out. 

eZG Goes to the 2015 Expo

Larger companies like Udi's and Pamela will be unveiling their new products.

My favorite is finding new and smaller gluten-free companies. Last year I discovered Cookies Con Amore and several other wonderful items. I am excited to see what is there this year,.

Please let me know what you are excited to hear about? 

Thank You