It’s estimated that more than 3,000,000 people, and the number is increasing, have celiac disease in the USA. Remember Michael Pollan’s comment on the how it is interesting that the “real category,” those with celiac disease, has been increasing over the last 50 years?
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not clearly define how manufacturers of products with gluten should be labeled — gluten free, free of gluten, without gluten — and cannot recommend or endorse or accredit some non-governmental body or bodies certification programs. What’s a gluten aware consumer to do?
I suggest having a conversation with your grocery store’s manager. Just say to a cashier or an employee on an aisle, “Is there a manager available?”
Tell the manager what you’re looking for and how you’d like to spend your grocery budget.
Chances are the manager is in a hurry and not aware of what you’re looking for, and, of course, that’s okay. Reach out to the manager on a weekly basis to see how your requests are coming along.
Over time how your grocer is willing to accommodate you or your family’s needs will become clear.
You may have to shop somewhere else or change how you shop, but you’ve been adjusting to your household’s changing needs anyway, so another step in a positive direction is, of course, a good thing.