CHEX Cereal Gluten Free? O Really?
I just noticed that Rice Chex and Corn Chex Cereal by General Mills is now labeled Gluten Free. The principle ingredient that had gluten was a sweetener that was derived from wheat, therefore contained gluten. It has been changed to a gluten free sweetener.
I am not overly excited about this one. Great that General Mills is paying attention to the “estimated 1 out of every 133 Americans [who] have Celiac disease” as its website states. However, it is no secret that secret General Mills products have suffered in the recession facing the United States. It is also no secret that in spite of the recession sales of “Health Foods” (in quotes because I do not think “health food” exists, just the foods we all should be eating instead of the artificially dyed, fried and preserved food that litters the average supermarket) have steadily grown. I smell a marketing ploy…
It is a nice gesture, but I am not running out and buying Rice or Corn Chex (especially NOT Corn Chex, as corn is full of pesticides and is more genetically engineered than Dolly the Sheep). I much prefer to stick with small, local companies who have kept Celiac sufferers in mind from day one. So thanks, but no thanks. I am far too intelligent to fall prey to a witless marketing scheme aimed at taking advantage of those of us who live with Celiac.
I agree with you about not being too excited about this new GF change to their formula. While it is nice to have options in a pinch, like when traveling, it’s just empty calories. No fiber, no protein, and just a bunch of corn or rice. So while I won’t get violently ill from it like I would other cereal, it’s not exactly nourishing me either.