Hello Reader,

Welcome to the Friday Good For You Gluten Free newsletter, and thank you for being "here."

I love sharing news, important information, exciting products, and exclusive discounts with you. In fact, I live for this! 😉

YumEarth Gets Slammed for Misleading Claims

This week, YumEarth has experienced the wrath of the gluten-free and allergy communities, and rightfully so.

The candy brand has long advertised itself as “top 9 allergen-free,” which one should be able to safely infer means it's free from wheat, soy, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, milk, fish, shellfish, and sesame.

By law, brands must disclose if a product contains any of those allergens — that’s why you see “Contains” or “May Contain” statements on packaging.

Here’s where things get messy.

YumEarth products didn’t technically “contain” wheat — but they used gluten-free wheat starch as a processing agent. While the final product didn't technically contain wheat, it did come in contact with wheat, and YumEarth did not disclose that fact, and even went as far as to claim to be top 9 allergen-free.

The nuance here matters.

For the gluten-free community, gluten-free wheat starch would not be worrisome.

But for the wheat allergy community, any contact with wheat matters deeply.

New FDA guidance now requires disclosure if products come in contact with wheat. So YumEarth added “Contains Wheat” to some packaging and quietly removed the “top 9 allergen-free” claim.

The Internet noticed. And a firestorm followed.

In a statement, YumEarth says the formula and manufacturing practices have not changed — essentially implying this was always happening, but they are just disclosing it now due to the new laws. They also say they never claimed to be a wheat-free facility. (Nuance here -- we all know top-9 allergen-free should mean no wheat.)

I don’t know what the future holds for YumEarth. But scrolling social media this week, it’s clear the community feels betrayed.

Gluten-Free Purse Products

Life can be hectic for us gluten-free folk, so I wanted to share two product recommendations that easily fit in your purse or backpack and work well for emergency snacking.

KiZE Bars: Each bar is made with only 5-10 ingredients, packed with clean protein, and has a smooth, delicious taste. Sprouts now carries two exciting flavors: Chocolate Chip Cookie and Brownie Batter. And they're now certified gluten-free by the GFCO - sweet!

👉 Can't find them in the store? You can also order online: Use the code LOVE4KIZE for 20% off at kizeconcepts.com -- sweet!

The Rice Stuff makes perfectly portioned, just-add-water rice boxes that make it easy to bring a simple lunch or snack with you wherever you go. Cook for 2 minutes in the microwave or add boiling water and let it stand for 7 minutes.

👉 Shop online. Use the code LOVEMERICE for 20% off at thericestuff.ca -- sweet!

KiZE Bars and Rice Boxes were included inside my February Love Me Gluten Free box.

Don't miss the chance to try exciting gluten-free products next month. You can reserve our next box (shipping March 2) on the Love Me Gluten Free website.

Of Note! The March box includes 6 never-before-featured brands -- so get ready to discover something new!

Can You Eat European Wheat?

This week on my podcast, Gluten-Free Unwrapped, I chat with registered dietitian, Molly Winsten, to unpack one of the most common discussions happening in the gluten-free community:

“Why can some people eat wheat in Europe, but not in the U.S.?”

In this episode, we break down:

• The difference between European and American wheat
• How fermentation practices affect wheat and digestion
• The role of glyphosate
• Why vacation mode can change how your body feels
• What this means for people with celiac disease, non-celiac gluten sensitivity, and wheat allergies

If you've ever wondered if you could eat wheat in Europe because it's somehow safer or better, this episode is a must-listen.

📣 Listen on my blog or wherever you get your podcasts (available on Apple Podcasts and Spotify).

Gluten Free Expo - Connecticut

The Wicked Gluten Free Expo in Connecticut is Saturday, February 28th, at the Mohegan Sun Earth Expo Center in Uncasville, CT. If you live nearby, please support this amazing opportunity to meet up with the GF community.

My friend Celeste from May's Market will be exhibiting. Tell her I say hi if you see her! She'll be displaying a Love Me Gluten Free box at her booth.

Miss Manners Lacks Manners

Someone wrote to Miss Manners and asked, "Is it rude to expect gluten-free options at parties?"

Wanna know Miss Manners' response?

"Yes."

Honestly, for an etiquette columnist, such a short response felt rude and dismissive. Even I have more manners than that. 🙄

Here's how I would have responded:

There shouldn’t be an expectation that every gathering will automatically include gluten-free options. Most people without food restrictions don’t think about it the way we do — and some may not feel confident cooking safely for someone with food restrictions.

That said, it’s understandable that it hurts. Food is connection. When everyone else can partake and you can’t, it can feel isolating.

The solution isn’t to resent or chide your friends. The more productive path is communication. Let the host know well ahead of time that you have celiac disease. Ask if you can bring a gluten-free dish or two to share, and ask if there are any dishes you could enjoy.

Expecting people to intuit your needs often leads to disappointment. Clear, kind communication leads to inclusion.

And that, Miss Manners, is how you kindly and empathetically respond to someone asking for your help.

Have a great weekend, friends!

Sincerely,

Jenny

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

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