Gluten Free Chapel Hill: Starbucks

Wednesday, September 7, 2011

Starbucks Gluten Free?

I called Starbucks today to ask if the new Pumpkin Spice Latte was gluten free. I was told that Starbucks can't guarantee if ANY of their drinks are gluten free due to possible cross-contamination. I know this wasn't always the case! I believe everything used to be gluten free except for the vanilla latte and java chip, but don't quote me on this!

I said that I understood the possiblity of cross-contamination (as always), and asked if any of the drinks actually contained gluten as an ingredient. They were unable to confirm either way.

I love Starbucks and have never had a problem. I even drank the Java Chip Frappunccino once (when I didn't know better) and was ok. What are your experiences with Starbucks?

Saturday, January 16, 2010

Lucy's Cookies Now at Starbucks

I went to the Starbucks on Fayetteville Road across the street from Southpoint today. Starbucks is now carrying Lucy's cookies that are free of gluten, milk, eggs, peanuts, and true nuts. They are also kosher and vegan. I bought some of chocolate chip cookies which are three to a pack. Cinnamon thins and sugar cookies were also available. This is a nice addition to Starbucks! I would much rather have one of the cookies than a Kind bar with my coffee! The cashier told me the cookies will be in Starbucks nationwide. Here is an article if you would like to read more of the story.

Celiac Disease by the Numbers

1 out of every 133 Americans (about 3 million people) has CD.
97% of Americans estimated to have CD are not diagnosed.
CD has over 300 known symptoms although some people experience none.
Age of diagnosis is key: If you are diagnosed between age 2-4, your chance of getting an additional autoimmune disorder is 10.5%. Over the age of 20, that rockets up to 34%.
30% of the US population is estimated to have the genes necessary for CD.
2.5 babies are born every minute in the USA with the genetic makeup to have CD.
There are 15 states in the US with populations less than the total number of Celiacs in the US.
CD affects more people in the US than Crohn’s Disease, Cystic Fibrosis, Multiple Sclerosis and Parkinson’s disease combined.
People with CD dine out 80% less than they used to before diagnosis and believe less than 10% of eating establishments have a 'very good' or 'good' understanding of GF diets.
It takes an average of 11 years for patients to be properly diagnosed with CD even though a simple blood test exists.
The US Department of Agriculture projects that the GF industries revenues will reach $1.7 Billion by 2010.
GF foods are, on average, 242% more expensive then their non-GF counterparts.
The Food Allergen Labeling & Consumer Protection Act became law in 2006 allowing for easier reading of food labels for those with CD. What took so long?
12% of people in the US who have Down Syndrome also have CD.
6% of people in the US who have Type 1 Diabetes also have CD.
Among people who have a first-degree relative diagnosed with celiac, as many as 1 in 22 people may have the disease.
There are currently 0 drugs available to treat CD.