The Orthodox Union announced today that it has certified as both kosher pareve (containing neither meat nor dairy) and gluten-free Miss Roben’s baking mixes. Miss Roben’s is one of the first companies to be certified through OU Kosher’s relationship with the Gluten-Free Certification Organization (GFCO), a program of the Gluten Intolerance Group (GIG). Gluten-free diets are a medical necessity for individuals who cannot consume storage proteins found in grains such as wheat, rye and barley. Under the OU-GFCO ties, the OU’s nearly 500 field representatives all over the world, proficient as they are in modern food production techniques and chemical and biological processes, will conduct plant inspections and product reviews for GFCO as they are certifying products as kosher for the OU.
Miss Roben’s products are also manufactured to be allergen-friendly, in addition to their kosher and gluten-free status.
According Miss Roben’s Vice President Jay Berger, “Food allergy individuals know that finding an easy-to-make baking mix that works well with substitutes and really tastes ‘normal’ is a challenge. Finding one that is also certified kosher pareve and gluten-free seemed impossible, until now. Miss Roben’s, a dedicated line of allergen-friendly baking mixes, just obtained certification from the Orthodox Union, the world’s most recognized and trusted kosher symbol, and the Gluten-Free Certification Organization, an independent food processing inspection program that verifies that food products meet the highest standards for gluten-free ingredients and a safe processing environment. Consumers will now easily be able to identify these mixes as truly free of wheat, gluten, dairy, or meat ingredients and derivatives or possible cross-contamination.”
Obtaining OU certification is viewed by Miss Roben’s as a milestone in its marketing efforts. “We’re ecstatic to be OU Kosher,” said Ms. Berger. “We’ve wanted to do this for quite some time. We finally felt ready to proceed. The OU helped the process along wonderfully – everything went smoothly. Our customers are going to be happy – they have requested us to obtain kosher certification. And when we did it, we wanted it to be with the most universally accepted certification – that is, the OU.”
“We’re happy to be working with GFCO and Miss Roben’s in providing the gluten-intolerant community with foods they can enjoy,” declared Gad Buchbinder, OU Rabbinic Coordinator. “Gluten-intolerant persons are often unable to ascertain whether a food item is gluten-free. GFCO certification is a practical way to reach the significant gluten-intolerant market segment, while at the same time assuring its kosher certification through the Orthodox Union.”
Miss Roben’s, a proprietary line of over 50 different baking mixes, is sold online exclusively at www.AllergyGrocer.com. For over 13 years Miss Roben’s has manufactured mixes in its dedicated plant free of the top eight allergens, plus gluten, sesame, and more. The firm carefully selects ingredients suppliers who can make those same claims. While Miss Roben’s mixes have been well known to those following a wheat-free or gluten-free diet, over the past nine years the company has evolved into an Allergy Grocer product by responding to the many requests of customers with multiple food allergies and intolerances, including corn, yeast, sesame, and other less common foods.
Allergy Grocer, a national online store, boasts over 750 unique and quality products selected for their taste, popularity, and allergen-friendly status. Each product is fully researched and information is posted online to provide the consumer known plant conditions and potential cross-contamination risks, with actual manufacturing contact information made plainly available. Allergy Grocer provides an extensive online search feature to find products based on a customer’s specific food needs and provides free personal baking support. “With suggestions on the label for using multiple food substitutions and over 1,700 free recipes on the website, no one, no matter what the food concern, should have to do without Miss Roben’s mixes,” declared Ms. Berger. “Now, those who keep kosher, can enjoy them as well.”
For more information, call 800-891-0083, email info@allergygrocer.com, or visit www.AllergyGrocer.com.