On August 3, Smart Balance, Inc. announced it purchased Glutino Food Group for $66.3 million cash. With this purchase, Smart Balance picks up arguably the #1 most recognized gluten-free brand in the United States.
PARAMUS, N.J., Aug. 3, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — Smart Balance, Inc. (NasdaqGM: SMBL) announced it acquired 100% of the equity interest of Importations DE-RO-MA, which owns Glutino Food Group (“Glutino”), for $66.3 million, from Claridge, aMontreal-based investment firm. Based in Laval, Quebec, Glutino is a leading manufacturer and marketer of innovative, premium-priced, gluten-free foods sold under the Glutino and Gluten Free Pantry brands. Glutino offers a wide range of shelf-stable and frozen gluten-free products, including snack foods, frozen baked goods, frozen entrees and baking mixes throughout North America and on its website www.glutenfree.com. Glutino had annual sales of $53.9 million during its fiscal year ended March 31, 2011.
Commenting on the announcement, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Stephen Hughes stated,
Finally it seems that athletes have become savvy to the benefits of a gluten free diet. As the general population has started to become more aware of the prevalence of gluten sensitivities and Celiac Disease, there has been a noted increase in the number of athletes turning to the gluten free lifestyle in an attempt to maximize their training and find greater success in their respective sports.
Among the most notable athletes making the gluten free switch are Raul Ibanez of the Philadelphia Phillies, Cedric Benson of the Cincinnati Bengals, and tennis player Novak Djokovic, the 2011 winner of Wimbledon who went on an unprecedented 43-match win streak. Most significant about their decision to go gluten free is the marked improvement in all three athletes after the switch. (more…)
I recently had the pleasure of meeting Mary Klinnert, PhD at National Jewish Health. Mary is an expert in child psychology and has numerous previous research studies on the effects of asthma on mental health. She started her career mostly focusing on asthma, but in recent years, has turned much of her attention to the psychological aspects of living with life threatening food allergies.
While meeting with Mary, she briefed me on a study she is conducting on the psychological aspects of food allergies and how this study differs from the majority of previous studies that mostly focus on quality of life issues related to living with food allergies. The hope of Mary and the rest of the team is to get to the root of what is happening to families that sometimes contributes to deeper (more…)
Could it possibly be? At long last, there’s some movement on the behalf of the gluten-free labeling movement.
This is REALLY big news for people who are gluten-free in the U.S.! The FDA has re-opened a comment period for 60 days to solicit opinions from health professionals, scientists and the public on a potential ruling for defining gluten-free as less than 20 ppm.
Why 20ppm? According Michael Taylor at the FDA at stakeholder teleconference on Aug 2nd, it’s the lowest amount that can be accurately quantified, and many leading experts believe it is a safe amount. Europe has used it for 20 + years. Several prominent researchers, including Dr. Alesso Fasano and Dr.Stefano Guandalini, spoke in favor of the new proposed legislation. “This is a standard that has been in use in (more…)
Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is a female menstrual disorder that occurs regularly around ovulation and subsides within a few days of the onset of menstruation. PMS affects up to 75% of women during their childbearing years.
Symptoms. Most women with PMS will have abdominal cramps, be anxious, irritable, sad, emotionally unstable and feel bloated and uncomfortable in the days leading up to their period. PMS symptoms commonly worsen in the years approaching menopause.
Diagnosis of PMS depends on 5 or more of the symptoms listed below with at least one symptom being one of the first 4: (more…)
It can be challenging enough on gluten-free diet, but what if you eat a vegetarian or vegan diet?
It’s well established that there are health benefits to reducing the amount of meat in the diets of most Americans, and the lifestyle has appeal for some people based on ethical and/or environmental reasons. Fortunately, with extra planning, a well-rounded and delicious gluten-free vegetarian diet is possible.
The good news is that many vegetarian staples, like beans, lentils, tofu, dairy, nuts, seeds and eggs are already naturally gluten-free. And some of the best sources of vegetarian and vegan protein are gluten-free pseudo-grains, such as quinoa, buckwheat and amaranth. Also, grains, such as millet, teff and sorghum are very nutritious. In addition to protein and fiber, they all have other vital nutrients, like (more…)
I met Gina through the Celiac Sprue Association, Denver Chapter 17. She helped me get involved in volunteering at last years ‘Incredible Edible Gluten-Free Food Fair™!’ She has been part of CSA for several years and is a member of the Board. She has a lively personality and is willing to share her thoughts with others. I am so excited that she was willing to sit down with me and talk about her experiences of living with Type I diabetes and Celiac disease. I hope you enjoy this as much as I did. The overall message I took away, was that neither Diabetes nor Celiac disease define who Gina is, because she is so much more and has never let either one stop her from living the active life she was meant to have!
Interview
Jenn: Hi Gina! It’s great to be with you today and to have the opportunity to get to know you better. So, tell me…how old were you when you were diagnosed with Type I diabetes?
Gina: I was 17 years old.
Jenn: And how old were you when you were diagnosed with Celiac disease? (more…)
The suitability of oats as part of the gluten-free diet has been a source of controversy, with some groups pointing to research suggesting oats are safe and others pointing to other research demonstrating oats are dangerous to those with celiac disease. Close inspection of available medical research clearly shows that oats, even “gluten-free” oats, should not be included in the gluten-free diet at this time.
Until the early 1990’s, oats were excluded from the gluten-free diet, along with wheat, barley and rye. Then, a few pilot studies suggested oats may not cause the harm previously thought. The idea was proposed that people with celiac disease would find their diet more palatable, and would benefit nutritionally, if they were allowed to eat oats.
Heavy contamination of many oat products with wheat, rye, and particularly barley, was a concern. Companies began to produce so-called “gluten-free oats.” These oats were tested for the presence of wheat, barley and rye. They are vigorously marketed as “safe” for celiacs. However, studies show that even “uncontaminated oats” (oats not containing wheat, barley or rye) are toxic to an unknown number of people with celiac disease.
Early studies proclaimed oats to be safe, but they have since been judged faulty with poor validity. Nevertheless, they opened the floodgates to (more…)
People with celiac disease in Joplin, MO need our help!
The following message was posted by Barbara Hicks, leader of the Tri Lakes Celiac Support Group in Kimberling, MO. Contact Barbara to find out how you can get involved.
Hi Everyone,
I am sure that by now you have heard about the tornado that hit Joplin. It took out a major portion of the town including the two major grocery stores where celiacs (more…)
Facebook 
Twitter
Pinterest
