We Need Gluten Free Products!

The need for gluten free products is growing. The Celiac Disease Foundation estimates that more that 2 million Americans have the disorder. That's 1 of every 133 people in the United States. Add those of us who have not been officially diagnosed but whose bodies let us know we are gluten intolerant. That's a big market for gluten free foods.

The Celiac Disease Foundation has been getting the word out to the big food manufactures and distributors who in turn are slowly but surely starting to pay attention. That's good for women like you and me who are striving to get and stay healthy and need to be gluten free to do it.

Who Controls What You Eat?

The bulk of available commercial food comes through a few food processors. So it's in our best interest to know something about those processors. In Grub: ideas for an urban organic kitchen, food justice activists Bryant Terry and Anna Lappe, provide the following data from a 2005 University of Missouri study.

four flour millers handle 63% of flour production. They are ConAgra Foods, Cargill, ADM, and Cereal Food Processors.
four beef packers control 84% of that market. The companies are Tyson, National Beef, Cargill, and Swiff.
four companies package 64% of pork products. Two of those companies, Tyson and Swift, also are top beef packers. The other two are Smithfield and Hormel Foods.
four producers, Pilgrim's Pride, Tyson, Perdue, Gold Kist Farms, are in charge of 56% of poultry processing.

Why does this matter? It's about control. Whenever a few people/companies control something their power is magnified. That power could be used for good or not. Twelve companies have major control over the availability of gluten free products. What are they doing with that power? Let's explore the answers together. Check out this quick list of gluten free products.