Hello Reader,

How is it already August?!

Seriously… I feel like I blinked, and suddenly we’re squeezing in those last pool days, backyard barbecues, and lazy summer nights before school starts next week (at least here in Denver!).

Before I dive into the news of the week, I wanted to share something exciting—I’m hiring a Marketing Coordinator!

We're growing quickly, and I could really use some help.

If you or someone you know is a marketing expert and eager to learn, please have them apply for this position. I figured I would come to this community first because you uniquely understand what we’re all about.

Meet Me Live TODAY at 11 am CDT

My August Love Me Gluten Free shipped this week, and while this amazing box is sold out, you can enter to win one via our August Box Giveaway!

Oh, and you can also reserve our September box at lovemeglutenfree.com so you don't miss out next month.

And please don't forget to join me live on Facebook in a few hours for our exciting August unboxing event. We're giving away a Mystery Box to a live attendee + making a special announcement today.

📍 Meet me on the Good For You Gluten Free Facebook Page today (Friday, August 8th) at 11:00 am CDT.

Fear Not, Dear Wheat

Being gluten-free isn’t for the faint of heart. We navigate confusing ingredients and food label disclosures that often lack clarity and are frequently misunderstood.

Wheat is one of the most confusing ingredients of all. We’re told to avoid it, but then we're also told there are exceptions - ug!

But what if I told you there are two “wheats” you don’t have to fear — even if you have celiac disease?

Do I have your attention now?

(1) Wheat Starch

Gluten-free wheat starch is processed to remove the gluten protein. It’s then cleaned and tested to ensure no detectable gluten remains. You can read more about this process in this article.

Trusted brands like Schär, King Arthur, and Caputo use gluten-free wheat starch in their certified gluten-free products. It’s also commonly used in many pizza restaurants and often improves the texture and taste of baked goods. You'll also find it's used regularly throughout Italy and Europe - the US market, however, is still a bit squeamish about it.

Here’s the deal:

🚫 If you have a wheat allergy or wheat intolerance, avoid all wheat starch.

✅ If you have celiac disease, certified gluten-free wheat starch is 100% safe. I’ve eaten it on multiple occasions — no bloating, no bathroom urgency — I’d call that a win.

⚠️ If you have non-celiac gluten sensitivity, you may react to wheat starch if you're sensitive to wheat versus gluten. In fact, if you have “gluten intolerance,” you might actually have “wheat intolerance” instead. It's best to approach wheat starch with caution and see how your body responds.

(2) Made in Shared Facilities or on Shared Equipment with Wheat

This label used to trip me up — but not anymore.

When a product is labeled gluten-free but also says "Made in a shared facility with wheat," it’s generally safe to consume, especially if the product is certified gluten-free or clearly labeled gluten-free.

If you’re ever unsure, you can always reach out to the manufacturer and ask for their testing data to put your mind at ease. (I did that recently, and the company sent me their full testing report and told me they are in the process of getting certified.)

Manufacturers include these disclosure statements to be transparent, particularly for people with wheat allergies who may react to even trace amounts of wheat. But here’s the thing: these warnings are completely voluntary.

This means many of the gluten-free products you already eat may be made in shared facilities — but you just aren’t being told. Ironically, the brands that are most transparent often get unfairly scrutinized by our community.

Remember, even certified gluten-free products can be made in shared facilities or on shared equipment. The Gluten-Free Certification Organization (GFCO) clearly states that these voluntary warnings have nothing to do with a product's gluten-free status.

While I wish every gluten-free product were manufactured in a dedicated facility, it's just not the reality of modern food production. Maybe some day...

🍑 Gluten-Free Peach Cobbler

I had the most delicious peach this week, and it put me in the mood for peach cobbler. If you're looking for me this weekend, I'll be in the kitchen whipping up my Easy Gluten Free Peach Cobbler. I need to savor these sweet peaches before they go out of season.

What's Happening in GF Land

Cruising Through New England: Celiac Cruise just announced a brand‑new itinerary for Fall 2026, including a cruise in New England and Canada during peak fall foliage season. Cozy sweaters, colorful leaves, and safe gluten‑free food while sailing on a cruise ship? Oh man, how I wish I could join this one. Thinking...

🚢 Considering a Celiac Cruise? Here are 22 Things to Consider Before Signing Up.​

New "Bakery" in Florida: If you're in Ft. Lauderdale, you can now visit the Little GF Chefs bakery. They expanded their facility to create a bakery storefront that includes frozen and ready-to-eat goodies, including biscuits, pizza crust, pizza dough, toaster pastries, pretzel bites, cupcakes, and ice cream sandwiches. Sounds dreamy, right?

🎧 Missed my interview with Jereann Zann, founder of Little GF Chefs? Check it out on Gluten Free Unwrapped!

New on the Podcast: Speaking of my podcast, check out this week's episode with Karissa Francis, the founder of Jack’s Allergen Friendly Bakery.

She shares how she launched her top 14 allergen-free cookies into Sprouts, why the company is named Jack's (it's not what you think!), and what makes their new shelf-stable cinnamon rolls so special (and where you can get them).

🎧 Tune in on Apple or Spotify - and don't forget to leave me a review. It helps so much!!

New Law Requires Celiac Training: Illinois passed a new law requiring hospitality and food workers to be trained on celiac disease so food handlers are better equipped to keep those with celiac disease safe. The new law goes into effect on January 1st. Well done, Illinois!

That's all for this week - see you on our Facebook Live (soon!!) and again next week.

Sincerely,

Jenny

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Order a Love Me Gluten Free Subscription Box or join our waitlist to get our next box.

Listen to the Gluten Free Unwrapped podcast.

Read about my journey to break up with gluten in my book, Dear Gluten, It's Not Me, It's You.

Go gluten-free fast - enroll in my SIGNATURE Gluten-Free Course.

Visit Good For You Gluten Free for more tips and recipes to help you live your best gluten-free life.