So here’s some good, and horrible, news. I do believe I’ve — at least partially — gotten to the bottom of some of my gluten’ing. Thanks to lovely reader Katherine Kelley, I discovered wheat starch in my generic Tylenol from Safeway. Imagine that! Thanks for that tip I would have never, ever, considered that, Katherine. And seriously, WTF?

Additionally, and this totally falls under the “shame on me” category, there’s gluten in my Skinny Vanilla Latte. Apparently I’m the kind of gal who has to learn hard lessons biannually, as I clearly forgot why I swore I would never go back to Starbucks. (Also, I just know I’ll be in line again before the week is out. What’s wrong with me? Don’t answer that.) Here’s the response I received when I asked Starbucks HQ about my go-to treat, since the people actually working in Starbucks did not seem to be clued into the gluten scene:

Our light syrups use gluten, so unfortunately for the Skinny Vanilla Latte that would mean that it does. We can also never guarantee that any of our products are 100% gluten free and if you are ever unsure of a product, we advise not consuming it because your safety and health is important to us.

So your health is so important we’d like you to never consume our products. Yes, I know I already knew this. But I read somewhere on the Internet that the SVL was totally cool, and I asked the barista, and well, that’s why I’ve been sucking down those lattes like a virgin on prom night. Stupid Internet, always telling you the wrong things.

In spite of me knowing full well that celiacs have to go above and beyond when checking ingredients, I do feel duped. First, by a generic brand that adds something in that’s not in the original and doesn’t bother to warn customers who, oh I don’t know, might have a serious medical condition that would be affected by said additive. And twice (thrice?) by a company that is all about fair trade and saving the children, but could give two shits about keeping their food safe. Or even labeled. Honestly, if I knew I could have a regular vanilla latte (which I’m totally unclear on at this point) I would still give Starbucks like half of my paycheck.

Starbucks, I’m willing to shell over so much money to you, yet you can’t be bothered to provide your employees (or your web site) with the basic information about allergens. I know I should just ignore you, but it’s kind of like I revert to being 10-years-old and I simply can’t help myself.



Damn it.

Any other foods/drinks/meds I should be outing here?

Image via Starbucks