folic acid may contain corn, citrus or other vegetable
I start investigating the ingredients of Minute Rice after Kat broke out from it on several occasions. I called Kraft, and they were very helpful with obtaining information on the sources of vitamins they use to enrich their foods. The lady did some research and informed me that the source of folic acid(and other vitamin enrichment) in all of their products potentially are derived from a food source! Among them, corn, brocolli, beets, spinach, oranges, etc.... This isn't the reason Kat broke out, but it provided a solid answer to why Tyler used to react violently to it. We switched over to the brown rice, and he is fine with. It is not enriched. Apparently, they would not use wheat or nuts- even though they contain folic acid. They consider those common allergens, so they must restrict using them. I am not sure if this means those of us dealing with corn or vegetable allergies should avoid this ingredient, or not. It may be highly processed and not be recognized as an allergen . But, corn never ceases to amaze me! I am beginning to think the list of items that may contain corn will eventually require a three ring binder! Diane Hartman
Forgive me Diane, because I am still baffled by the enriching question. Is the rice not enriched before it gets to Kraft? And then Kraft adds extra folic acid and stuff? One problem is that the regulations in Canada are so different and I can't get a government agency to commit to what those requirements are. It is so frustrating. Brown rice is so expensive here that I use it only for making rice milk, but if the white rice is sprayed with a barley enzyme as some claim, then this is a big problem for us and would explain some things which happen infrequently. BL ****************************** * v'col netivotcha shalom * ******************************
The Kraft rep. explained that starting in 1997 that the government implemented a policy that requires certain foods are enriched with folic acid. If I understood correctly, they enrich it at their plant. Folate is known to prevent birth defects(i.e. spina bifida and neural tube defects) if the mother consumes an adequate amount during pregnacy. Folic acid occurs naturally in many foods, but the lady said the literature stated it comes from the least allergenic sources(one being corn!). It was my understanding that even though a vitamin or mineral may be derived from vegetable, grain, fruit, meat, etc... that it doesn't require labeling. Again, the secondary ingredient rule applies. She didn't say anything about barley enzymes, but we did encounter problems with the barley enzymes in other foods. The jasmati organic white rice is not enriched and we have used it without problems. I am not sure if it is avaible in Canada or not? Their contact info is 1-800-232-RICE they are located in Alvin, TX Diane Hartman
Thanks Diana We buy some rice from the local asian store and the owner assures me it is not enriched, and no one in the house seems to be having a problem but you never know when that might change. We just made very successful banana/guava fritters. Anyone interested in seeing how we did it? BL ****************************** * v'col netivotcha shalom * ******************************
Middle of BC Lorrie. In Terrace about 2 hours in from the coast. BL ****************************** * v'col netivotcha shalom * ******************************
I am. Joanne
In a message dated 04/06/2001 5:08:19 PM Eastern Daylight Time, Luvee77@... writes: We just made very successful banana/guava fritters. Anyone interested in seeing how we did it? Sure.
LOL My husband just got home and the children rushed to give him the three little fritters that were left. They were so proud to tell him that mommy made banana fritters and they ate all of them but these three - out of three dozen! He was flabberghasted - especially when I told him they were made from flaxseed, ground buckwheat groats, tapioca starch and ground sesame seeds. My littlest one was bragging on eating 8 fritters for his lunch. I didn't make them very large though so don't be visualize those things you get at the donut shop down the street - okay. They do look like whole wheat inside though, between the flax and the buckwheat. I tasted them and they weren't half bad. I'll try and post the recipe later tonight. Seems I need to make more but I will have to wait until payday and get some more bananas. Oh yeah, they are sugar free as well, using stevia. They do have yeast though. BL ****************************** * v'col netivotcha shalom * ******************************