The Gluten Free Farce

Here is an interesting article that pertains to this debate:

http://www.bellinghamherald.com/2012/07/31/2625200/is-your-problem-glu
ten-or-faddish.html

It seems like it is two-fold: part of the surge is that cases of
celiac disease are increasing, and part of it is fad.

As for Domino's, I say they're going to do what they find profitable.
If there's enough customer demand, they're going to respond to that
demand. It doesn't affect me whether or not they host the option,
since I don't require nor seek gluten-free foods, so I don't really
have a strong opinion on this one.

For all of you "know it alls" out there, who THINK that these Gluten
Free "alternatives" is a good thing, understand PRECISELY what is
going on here.

As I quoted, from the Dominos website, this so-called gluten-free
product IS NOT FOR THOSE WITH CELIAC DISEASE! It's all about a new fad
crazed diet, a diet people THINK is healthy.

The disclaimer is there because people DO have celiac disease, and
SHOULD NOT eat these so-called gluten free products.

It is irresponsible for ANY company to prey on the ignorance of the
public, and tout their product in such a manner. But, this has been
going on for years; decades, and centuries. Eventually, MAYBE one day,
we will wake up as a society; or, perhaps worse, when there is a
product that is genuinely capable of helping, we'll dismiss it as a
fraud.

For those who think I am wrong, do your own research.

Wow, my 80 something year old aunts that have likely been plagued with
Celiac their entire lives, and 3 of their daughters or granddaugthers
that also have it will be thrilled to know how hip to the latest
trends they are with that whole gluten-free fad!

Actually it's the people who have suddenly decided that gluten free
diet is good is the reason Domino's has added a gluten-free crust, so
people won't say that we only cater to people who can eat
everything..There is only so much a company can do to cater to
everyone.

Apparently enough people asked for gluten-free items to merit adding
it to their menu.

But it's not Domino's, it's the people.

(In this case you can accuse me of being on the payroll)

I agree. The public are a bunch of idiots that think gluten is "bad".
It is not. A miniscule amount of people may be gluten-intolerant.
That's their personal issue. Some people are lactose intolerant.
That's their personal issue. Vegetarians think meat is bad. That's
their personal issue. Preying on that public ignorance, as a whole, is
demonstrating preying for profit. So sad...

I don't quite understand what you are upset about but I am going to
give this a try.

Are you upset because Dominoes is offering gluten-free pizza? And you
believe this is because they are "following a fad?" SEVERAL small
local pizza joints here have been offering gluten-free pizza for YEARS
as an option. Dominoes is actually late to the party.

Quite a growing number of restaurants (chain restaurants) are offering
gluten-free options, even our local bakery advertises "gluten free"
birthday cakes for kids (rice crispy treat in cake shape decorated
with frosting like a regular cake) This is not done because they are
following a fad - this is because people are finally realizing that in
is nearly IMPOSSIBLE to eat out if you have a gluten allergy. As
someone who has a family member with celiac - this is a wonderful
thing. I also know a young child who is allergic to gluten - when one
of our local pizza places first started offering gluten free pizza the
little girl was so happy - she got to out and have pizza with the rest
of her family. This is abig thing to a child.

The only other thing I can think you are upset about is the cross
contamination thing, but you will find the disclaimer on just about
everything.

But please don't complain about things like this - my mother - who
can't eat gluten loves to be able to eat out once and a while.

"First, and foremost, Domino's is fully aware that Gluten Free diets
is specifically for those who are intolerant to gluten and those with
celiac disease."

So those people with the disease aren't allowed options?

I bet they started making gluten free options only after customers
REQUESTED it time and time again. I don't see them spending all that
money to launch a new product unless they had the requests and
customer base to do so.

As for the disclaimer? Why does that infuriate you? All they are doing
is letting the public know that the product can come into contact with
other gluten, like many places do when it comes to nuts. Maybe
depending on how sever a persons allergy is, they can make that call.
Like the disclaimer says, "Customers with gluten sensitivities should
exercise judgment in consuming this pizza".

Let the individual decide. It's not up to you.

I don't think gluten free has been touted as the latest diet craze or
newest healthy eating plan. It's been touted because there is more
and more awareness of celiac disease and some places are trying to
offer those people some dining alternatives just like some restaurants
will offer vegetarian choices, dairy free choices or lighter choices.

I'm certain my very best girlfriend does not think of her gluten free
diet as a trend or craze but as something that literally changed her
life after she was (finally) diagnosed. She suffered for years and
went from dr to dr and had test after test until she was finally
diagnosed. A few short months better she felt better than she had in
years.

So you want them to stop listing the risks of gluten exposure because
you personally find it offensive?



I don't see ANYWHERE in your example where they were touting
gluten-free as a diet plan for everyone the way you seem to be
suggesting they are.


The ONLY fault I see is that they tried to make a gluten-free crust to
serve all customers, but failed because they couldn't prevent exposure
from other sources.



Punishing them for this, is as logical as ... punishing any food
company that puts nut-warnings on their food.




Common sense clearly shows they're not advertising gluten-free diets
for all, but that they're covering their behinds if customers have
reactions to the food.

It's a nice way to say "We tried to make it gluten free for you, but
we can't guarantee it so... if you get sick, you can't sue us cos you
were already warned."

So you admit that celiac disease is real, but you think that providing
products to accommodate people with celiac disease is a scam?

Do you understand that you're not making sense?

T.C.

While you feel that the gluten free diet is a farce, other people do
not.

In fact, other people have requested gluten free products.

Where is your medical evidence proving that the gluten free diet is
an unhealthy diet?

People have requested gluten free alternatives. Dominoe's has given
them what they requested. What's the problem with that? It's not an
unhealthy diet at all. And I certainly have never seen any evidence
at all suggesting it's dangerous. If you have some medical evidence
suggesting that, I'd certainly like to see it.

I don't think anyone is toting this as a "diet" but Domino's is trying
to provide options for people who might not otherwise be able to eat
their food.

As far as I can see, they are TRYING to be responsible in stating
clearly that while their pizzas are made gluten free, they can't
promise that the ingredients won't come in contact with other
gluten-containing items. If anything, they are trying to be MORE
responsible.

I'm really not sure what exactly it is you think they've done wrong,
but just based on this, I can't find anything that looks suspect.

craze diet? really?

celiac disease is not just about gluten, it also pertains to semolina
which is all over the kitchen of Dominos. The Reason they cannot
recommend it is because all their pizza is produced out of the same
kitchen and its impossible to say if the flour or semolina doesnt get
on their gluten free pizza.

There are other reasons people are gluten free. I knew a baker who
was deathly allergic to flour, he developed it after years of inhaling
it (called Bakers Lung), he had to wear a mask til he finally retired.
If he faking it?

Other people do it because you do in fact loose weight when you dont
eat starch. Other people have diabetes and must watch starch intake
(starch converts to sugar).