Whole Foods Tries, But Needs Your Help
Whole Foods Markets are some of the most allergy-friendly stores. I certainly appreciate the company's labeling practices, gluten-free food offerings, and gorgeous selection of fresh whole foods like produce and meats. Even Whole Foods' staff members are knowledgeable and helpful.
But even Whole Foods is not 100% allergy friendly. After an interesting discovery about the rotisserie chickens, we wanted to share some vital ways in which Whole Foods stores may sometimes miss the mark, and what you, the conscious consumer, can do about it:
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Ask for Deli Slicers to be Cleaned: There's nothing like freshly sliced prosciutto or paper thin salami. But if you are sensitive to gluten (or dairy) you should ask for the deli slicer to be cleaned before your meat or poultry is cut. Some deli meats can contain gluten or dairy, and those very same slicers are also used on cheeses. The staff at my local Whole Foods Market is always courteous and willing to give the machine a good wipe down with natural cleaning solution. But don't be afraid to ask for the same special treatment before you order some deli delights.
- Be Aware of the Rotisserie Totem Pole: Arriving at Whole Foods just in time for a freshly cooked rotisserie chicken makes for perfect timing--not only for freshness, but also for investigation. The Perfectly Plain and Classic Roast chickens both seem the safest bets for celiacs according to the ingredient list. But because of the risk of cross-contamination from other seasonings, it is important to know whether these two made it to the top bars of the oven. When I arrived just in time for a chicken this week, I was warned that the Perfectly Plain was the only option for me because the Classic chickens were cooked all the way on the bottom skewer. Grateful that I had just avoided a high risk of cross-contamination, I called the corporate office to see if there can't be some changes made in the rotisserie totem. Fortunately, customer service specialist Jessie Walker was quick to understand the problem and how it can be easily solved. He promised to send a global e-mail to all stores asking the cooks to keep those two varieties at the top of the rotisserie. I was impressed by this responsiveness. But still, I would urge you to ask the cooks before choosing your chicken.
- Buy More Whole Foods: When I spoke with Jessie Walker in corporate customer service, he was careful to remind me that "our kitchens are not dedicated gluten-free." This I know (largely due to the huge pizza oven), but then again, none of those label/price stickers with ingredients listed on them mention any warnings about cross-contamination. Unfortunately, we are not yet living in a world where cross-contamination is truly avoidable, unless of course we prepare every single meal ourselves. So if you want to take a little cooking vacation and purchase a prepared food option, do be aware that you are risking getting glutened.
I get frustrated just as much as any gluten sensitive person does at the risks we run every single day. Everyone needs an occasional break from cooking. But at the same time, I think that every one of us has out of necessity developed a newfound respect for cooking, for whole foods, and for wholesome meals. I hope that Whole Foods Markets will continue striving to make things easier for all of us, and keep offering so many gluten-free foods--more than probably any other national grocer.
No matter where you buy your groceries, I encourage you to be verbal. Ask questions to ensure your safety. Contact the corporate office. Ask for what you want, because that is surely the only chance we have at getting it.
Posted 2/03/09 by Kristen Campbell, co-founder of GlutenFreeFox.com (learn more about Kristen Campbell)
