Informative Advice for Moderate Drinkers with Louie Berceli (Sunday, March 24, 2013)

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Gluten-Free: Domino's Pizza (Really?!? Maybe.) by Sahra Kant

I know it's not Thursday.  However, it is the 12th of May, so I can finally release confidential corporate information I've been sitting on for eight days.  And eight long nights, just like Chanukah.  It does feel a little like the holidays because....

As of today, Domino's is offering gluten-free pizza in all their US stores.

The first mainstream pizza chain!

Before we all get a little too excited -- although admittedly I've been over-excited about this for over a week -- there may be a catch that will disappoint those of us like myself, my mother and my daughter who are gluten-free out of medical necessity.  Those of you who are gluten-free by choice should be dialing a number, going to a website or pulling up an app right now.  What are you waiting for?



Domino's has been offering gluten free pizza in Australia and New Zealand since 2009.  However, despite past endorsement by Coeliac Australia (which seems to have since been removed from their site) and far stricter advertising & labeling rules than exist in America making it illegal to call something gluten-free if there are any traces of gluten...

The small print says "your meal may contain traces of gluten."  Domino's seems to have done nothing to avoid cross-contimination in their kitchens, ovens or with handling procedures.  Even more worryingly, the pizza toppings may not be gluten-free.  This is regardless of there being twelve allegedly safe pizza varieties, two sauces & over twenty individual toppings listed on their gluten-free cheat sheet as of January 2012.

This is-it-or-isn't-it has caused quite the scandal in Oceania.

Always read the small print.

I'm writing this blog post over a week in advance, far prior to when any information will be released to the public.  The manager of a New England-based Domino's store from whom I got this tip (thanks, if you're reading this) could not answer my questions about cross-contamination or topping issues.  Perhaps it'll be a different situation in America, but I have my doubts.  In this country there are still no rules & regulations from the FDA requiring any rules or regulations be followed regarding allowable amounts of gluten in foods labeled "gluten-free" & major differences among voluntary gluten-free labeling organizations.  This may well be an even bigger marketing gimmick than it is in Australia & New Zealand, severely putting the health of celiacs at risk.

A "gluten-friendly" pizza isn't good enough for me, my family, or countless others who are on a strict gluten-free diet.



[EDIT, 5/11 @ 7:34pm]: I just got news that my source was wrong about the day of release, taking away my big scoop. :( Domino's released this information four days ago! However, I was right -- read the Domino's FAQ.

Gluten-Free: Rice Krispies by Sahra Kant

The prettiest cereal box in the world. 

Like many people, Kellogg's Rice Krispies were a staple of my diet since I first began eating solid food.  I grew up on the symphonic sounds of Snap, Crackle, & Pop and their many television advertisements.  A newly-diagnosed celiac may be confused at the sudden loss of their favorite breakfast cereal.  It's made of rice, after all!  But take a closer look at the ingredients -- original Rice Krispies contains malt flavor and malt is made from barley, a verboten grain for the gluten-free.  I grieved over the loss of this food product more than any other just like so many other celiacs.

There were years of letter-writing campaigns asking Kellogg's to remove the malt from Rice Krispies or put out a gluten-free version to no avail.  Recently Kellogg's finally caved and provided the celiac community with Rice Krispies Gluten Free!  I love having this cereal again and being able to share it with my daughter (who regularly requests "Krispies") and being able to make gluten-free Rice Krispies treats.

Let me repeat that.  Gluten-free Rice Krispies treats.

As is true with most gluten-free versions of popular products, you will be disappointed if you're expecting gluten-free Rice Krispies to taste and behave exactly like the original.  Snap, Crackle & Pop are in delightfully full force.  Using brown rice instead of the standard white rice is a nice healthier touch but adding sugar to the recipe isn't; these changes do make the cereal taste a little different, though it by no means has become anything resembling a sugary cereal.  Gluten-free Rice Krispies turn to mush in milk much faster -- but is it really a problem to eat it quickly?  I don't think so.

Extreme cereal close-up! 
Image courtesy of Gluten-Free Optimist.  I can't remember to take pictures first thing in the
morning, either.

You might have guessed that I have nothing negative to say about the treats.  Adding the butter and marshmallows makes it exactly like it was when I was a kid, especially if extra marshmallows are added.  GF Rice Krispies treats are so good that every time I make them -- or my mother brings them over for Liberty -- I forget to take pictures for Mass Bytes.  They are incredibly moreish, taste and act exactly like the original and do not last very long around my home.  The Kellogg's website also has recipes for peanut butter treats and seasonal Gluten Free Tree Trimmer Treats.  I am loyal to the plain so cannot vouch for them but nice touch, Kellogg's.

GF RICE KRISPIES TREATS YUM 

Rice Krispies Gluten Free are available for the same $3.99 price as regular Rice Krispies.  It can also be bought in bulk packs of four for about $10 using Subscribe & Save on Amazon when they have it in stock, which is currently not the case. :(  Third-party sellers currently have it in stock with fulfillment by Amazon for $11.99, which is still better than buying four individual boxes at a supermarket.


However, bonus points go to local shopping on this one for every supermarket in my area accepting general Kellogg's manufacturers coupons & WIC checks for this gluten-free cereal.

Burger King Testing Out Bacon Sundaes in Nashville

Burger King tweeted "We hate keeping secrets from you, but something big is about to happen at BURGER KING®! What do you think is coming?"

Well, I think the cat is out of the bag now. 

Burger King is trying new menu items including Bacon Sundaes, Sweet Potato Fries and BBQ Sandwiches at a Nashville location.