Allergies, Manufactured Foods Database

I don't know if people are aware of this database but I have found it over the weekend. It is from New Zealand and lists many common allergies (gluten, soy, dairy etc). It then has sections of manufactured foods you can buy from the supermarket that are suitable for people with those allergies. It is not intended to be a complete list and it recommends that you still read labels but it is a start for us. A relative has become allergic to soy products about two years ago and it has proven to be a problem when using manufactured foods.
This may help other allergy sufferers and their cooks or those who have allergy sufferers coming for a meal on the odd occassion and we have no idea what we can or can't use. I would like to hear people's opinions of this as I am sure I will be using it a lot if it is useful.
The link goes by the name of mfd and is followed by the using co in this country.

Unfortunately there are a lot of pit falls with this site. Manufacturers often change the ingredients in a product and it can be some time before the details on this site are changed, this has caused problems for me numerous times over the years. Also some manufacturers are not fully aware of what gluten is or what its in and often list items here that may not be 100% gluten free. Im okay with soy products but have concerns with other things (vege gums for one) and "hidden gluten" is something Im very careful about.
I think its okay to use this site as a guide but I still check out anything I buy and always do my own research just to be on the safe side :)

I just rechecked the site and am amazed they have a Low Gluten category when the Coeliac Society of NZ states:
"Even Coeliacs have to be very careful: 'A breadcrumb won't hurt someone with coeliac disease'... . MYTH.
Even very small amounts of gluten can be toxic to people with coeliac disease". Ive done a lot of research about low gluten and after what Ive learnt am surprised people can still advocate it as safe.
Also they are still listing Hansell's Vanilla Essences on there. I rang the company (after having a bad reaction)and was at first assured it was GF but after questioning the Lab. technician at length, she in the end admitted because the alcohol used as the base came from overseas they couldnt 100% guarantee it was gluten free.
May I suggest you do a google search using the words "hidden soy" there is a lot of information there. All the best :)

thanks herika. I will do that. i never really thought about how frustrating this must be to those who need to know. Is there any other reliable site to use in NZ?

I agree with herika - we find it is woefully behind. I am forever phoning manufacturers!

When you ring the manufacturers, who do you ask to speak to and how do you word your questions? It seems that some people just don't understand what we are asking. EG when you ask if there is any soy in the food they think only of soy sauce or soy oil and their answer is usually No. Like for in ice cream. However when you look at the label it states that there is soy lecithin, HVP or such in there. This is frustrating when eating out and you can't get the label for all the ingredients in a dish. It is so very important to us that the answer needs to be correct. It can be a matter of life and death.

I never trust what they say anyway, never ask the receptionist or the person who answers the phone, ask to speak to a lab. technician or someone else. I always do my own research and if Im not sure about a particular food I just dont have it.
Ive stopped saying Im gluten intolerant and just say I have so many allergies its easier if YOU tell ME what you've put in the food.
I dont have very much processed or packaged foods any more - and I think Im healthier for it! So there are only a few things I have to watch out for, such as tinned fish, tomato sauce etc, and even packaged foods that say they are gluten free.
Eating out:I have Turkish without the tabouhli, falafel, bread etc and I am able to have the chips (no salt) at some takeaways. Restaurants - I tell them exactly what I want and how to cook it, but even then it can go wrong! One time the chef thought my fish was too bland just done in oil with lemon juice and pepper so he coated it in egg (which I couldnt tolerate then)! I had to send it back and have it re done.
There is another thread titled : Gluten intolerant but not Coeliac which could have some info in it that may be of help? , otherwise sticking to what you know doesnt have soy in it will be the safest thing.
I hope Ive helped even if only a little bit :)

Herika, you have helped alot. I hear what you say about eating out. My friend wen to an asian restaurant and asked for something without any soy in it and finally ended up with four little shrimp on a piece of lettuce. Very sad for him as everyone else was really tucking in. They wouldn't even make an omelete for him!

Hi, I see by your profile you are in Rotorua, I did a quick google search and Mokoia Restaurant advertises as catering for soy free. Here's their details in case you want to contact them: 77 Robinson Ave (Holden's Bay) 07 343 5100 www.waioraresort.co.nz
There seems to be lots of Ethnic eating places in Rotorua you could try ringing around, chatting to them about your needs and see how they respond. I find smaller, family owned businesses the best and if they dont understand they still try to cater for my diet.
Good luck with that :)

Thanks Herika. Much appreciated for your efforts. i hope that the food industry will finally choose to help out a little more too and be more transparent with what is in their food. In the mean time we just keep asking I guess.