RECALL: WEGMANS BOUILLABAISSE SEAFOOD SAUCE!

You know that WHEAT that's mistakenly on Vita herring labels? Turns out it should have been on the labels for Wegmans Bouillabaisse Seafood Sauce, 8oz.

That's why Wegmans has announced a recall for all packages with "Use By" dates up to and including 12/24/07:

Wegmans has recalled this item because it contains wheat that is not listed on the ingredient label. The recall is of concern only to individuals who have an allergy to wheat or have a gluten sensitivity. Consumption may cause serious reactions to people with a wheat allergy.

All product can be returned to the customer service desk for a full refund.

For more information, please call 1-800-WEGMANS (934-6267), ext. 4760, Monday through Friday 8:00am-5:00pm.

So far, it seems there have been no reports of illness due to the mislabeling.

Wegmans was on the cutting edge when it came to supermarkets stocking gluten-free products in designated areas. Its website includes a list of gluten-free products and a page about gluten sensitivity. It even submitted a statement to the FDA about...labeling!

FIBROMYALGIA AND IBS: CELIAC DISEASE IN DISGUISE?

Could some people diagnosed with fibromyalgia actually be suffering from celiac disease? The National Fybromyalgia Association seems to think so. The May-August issue of its magazine Fibromyalgia Aware includes an overview of celiac disease written by Elaine Monarch of the Celiac Disease Foundation.

Available on PDF, the article--"Are You the One?"--cites nationally recognized research to establish how nearly 3 million Americans are estimated to have undiagnosed celiac disease, then states

A study by one nationwide celiac disease support group* indicated that among adults ultimately diagnosed with celiac disease, 9 percent were orginally diagnosed with fibromyalgia and 30 percent with IBS. Since many patients with CD have muscle aches, joint pains, GI symptoms, and fatigue, it is understandable that those people might get a label of fibromyalgia.

In addition to the tender points exam, the diagnosis of fibromyalgia is based on a number of symptoms that can be due to other conditions--celiac disease among them. This is further evidence that different so-called "silent" symptoms need to be taken seriously by physicians and thoroughly evaluated before a diagnosis of fibromyalgia (or IBS) is given.

People diagnosed with celiac disease typically experience greatly improved health when excluding wheat, barley, and rye from their diets. Diagnostic testing for celiac disease should, however, take place while one is still eating those foods.

* Cited in Dr. Peter Green's book Celiac Disease: A Hidden Epidemic.