Special thanks to Gail for taking meeting minutes during the last North Raleigh
Celiac Support Group meeting on 2-18-2010. Below is a recap for those of you that could not make the meeting.
North Raleigh Celiac Support Group
CSA Chapter 108
February 18, 2010 7:00-9:00 PM
Rex Hospital Private Dining Room, Raleigh, North Carolina
For a second time, representatives from the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Food and Drug Protection Division (4000 Reedy Creek Road, 1070 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-1070) addressed the group. Daniel L. Ragan, RPh, Director and Anita M. MacMullan, Food Compliance Supervisor, reported on the results of their investigation and legal action regarding the Great Specialty Products company. A preliminary injunction has been issued and the website has been taken down. Currently, civil and legal suits are pending. Complaints are still being received (one recently from the State of Iowa) and accepted by their agency. They asked that if anyone still has unused products to save them for possible further testing by their agency. They also thanked Steve Troxler, Commissioner of Agriculture, for his help and commitment to food safety in North Carolina. Currently, compliance with g-f labeling is voluntary and no random testing is done by the Department of Agriculture. Their e-mail address for any issues is ncda.complaints@ncagr.gov.
Meeting guest Hajo Engelke introduced the group to his company Custom Choice Cereal, located in Durham, North Carolina. He offers a wide variety of cereal based mixes which can be completely customized. They can be found on the web at www.customchoicecereal.com. All his products are tested with EZ Gluten and produced in a g-f facility. They are in the process of becoming a certified g-f product. Hajo distributed several of his delicious blends to the group. He also noted that we can custom order a blend from the many possible choices and give it a unique ID. The label will display the nutritional content of the entire mix. He is currently redesigning his website but orders are now being accepted.
Tracy Hoggard, a Lab Corp. employee, discussed several of the current tests that can indicate Celiac Disease and the challenges involved in their utilization. Physicians need education both to the tests availability and the insurance reimbursement status of the results, especially if there is no history of the disease in a family.
Pat recommended our group check out the Bready Bread Machine website at www.mybready.com. Harmony Farms has opened a new café. It is located just a few doors down from the store and many gluten-free options are available. It was also noted that El Rodeo Restaurant can accommodate a g-f diet, but speak to the manager first. Some items, such as chips, are not g-f.
Our next meeting will be held at Rosie’s Plate, 701 Person Street, Raleigh on March 18th. Pat has requested RSVP’s so Rosie can plan enough “tastings” for everyone. Please RSVP to Pat Berger by 3/8/2010.
Submitted by,
Gail Harris
1 comments:
I still have 2 slices of white bread delivered around Dec. 10th (frozen). I thought that they were not worthwhile to keep and gave them the rest to my wife to eat. If these are of any value to the case, I am happy to deliver them whereever someone tells me to take them.
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