Update on Pamela’s Products Allergen Advisory Statement
On August 10, 2022, Gluten Free Watchdog reached out to Pamela’s Products:
The addition of wheat to your allergen advisory statement on product packaging for gluten-free foods is causing a lot of concern in the celiac disease community. I understand from your FAQs that you still use dedicated lines for many of your gluten-free products. Can you please let me know why products produced on dedicated lines contain a shared equipment warning vs a shared facility warning. Thank you.
Pamela’s Products responded on August 30, 2022 (statement posted with permission in full without editing):
Thank you for reaching out. We apologize for the error on the updated allergen statement contained on our pancake mix, baking mixes and flours indicating that those products are manufactured on equipment that may also process products with wheat. That statement is incorrect, and we are working to correct the error on our packaging. As it has been the case for the past 35 years, all Pamela’s pancake, baking mix & flour products are manufactured on dedicated gluten-free lines that never run any product with wheat. We NEVER use shared equipment on those products. We even go above and beyond the FDA’s gluten-free requirements, which require certified gluten free products to be at 20ppm (parts per million) or less, by ensuring that our products test at 10ppm or less for gluten.
The error stems from the allergen statement on our baked ready-to-eat items, including our Snack Bars, Cookies and Grahams. For those products, we use a different manufacturing facility where items containing wheat are produced for other brands 2 weeks per month. However, when it is Pamela’s turn to run, we shut down all the lines and have a robust sanitation and allergen control program that cleans all the lines and rooms to ensure we adhere to our brand’s strict standards. Once clean, all areas are tested to our rigorous standards before production resumes. Post-production, all products are tested to ensure adherence to our 10ppm or less gluten standard and certified gluten-free by the GCFO. This is standard practice for many gluten-free brands and does not compromise the safety of those with a gluten intolerance.
Our customers’ safety is our #1 priority. We have been dedicated to producing gluten-free products for over three decades. If it’s a Pamela’s product, you can eat it with confidence that we have gone above and beyond FDA guidelines to meet the needs of consumers with gluten-free dietary requirements.
Comments (13)
Trish-Thank you for your continuing vigilance on behalf of the gluten free community. I know you understand the impact non-compliance of manufacturers practices and labeling has on the daily life and health of those of us with celiac disease and other gluten intolerances. I rely on Barbara’s products and will continue to buy them with confidence.
I hope that all of Pamela’s products are gluten free as I often purchase her cake mixes and various crackers and cookies.
Tricia – thank you for circling back with us on the recent packaging changes by Pamela’s AND for continuing to be so vigilant on our behalf! And I’m greatly relieved to hear that Pamela’s mixes continue to be manufactured on dedicated gluten-free lines that never run any product with wheat! Please keep doing what you’re doing ❤️
Wow, they actually replied in full. This is much better than the Canyon bread thing was. Thank you Tricia for following this up.
Thank you! I love Pamela’s and sure could use some of those almond cookies.
wow! I am impressed with the new owners response to this issue. Pamelas has been a much-loved brand and the first I tried when I first started in 2005-6. And have noticed the changes to some products but not others and some were dropped. Glad to know those products will continue to be produced under the strict guidelines set by Pamela herself years ago.
I am so glad to see the answer. I was trying to find any information about that because I could not understand how a product certificates gluten free was manufactured on equipment with wheat. It is good to know that I can use the bread mix.
Thanks for clarification. But what other products run through the mill? What about people with nut allergies, eggs or coconut? Are these areas of concern?
Hi Annette, Please reach out to the manufacturer directly about other allergens.
Where is that contact info? Like contact? Address? I was told this so just verifying for a friend.
If representing the company I think that would be important information to share.
Thank you
Hi Annette, Gluten Free Watchdog does not represent Pamela’s. We simply looked into an issue brought to our attention by consumers. Generally speaking, you can find manufacturer contact information on their website.
I was just glutened by the Pamela’s Chocolate Cake mix! Gluten free for 12 years. Soon after eating it I got the familiar pain in my gut and on my tongue. Stay away! This was my birthday cake! Grrr!
If you believe a labeled gluten-free product made you sick, it is important to file a complaint with an FDA consumer complaint coordinator https://www.fda.gov/safety/report-problem-fda/consumer-complaint-coordinators