Sunday, May 5, 2013

Is Johnny's Seasoning Salt gluten free?

My husband loves his Johnny's! He was making breakfast potatoes and was about to sprinkle some Johnny's on, but I stopped him and asked him to read the label. Is Johnny's GF?

The answer is yes. Oh wait...no! Yes! No! Awwww! I am so confused!

This is a tricky one and why you should ALWAYS check labels. The smaller size shakers of Johnny's ARE gluten free. Here are the ingredients listed on Johnny's website for the 8.5 & 16 oz seasoning salt:

Fine grain crystalline salt, monosodium glutamate, pepper, paprika, granulated garlic and spices.

However, the large 42oz (which we were using) is NOT gluten free! Here are the ingredients for the 42oz as listed on their website:

Salt, sugar, paprika, pepper, garlic*, soy sauce powder(soybeans, WHEAT, salt, malto-dextrin), cellulose gel & citric acid

It's pretty confusing that a manufacturer would have the same item be GF or not GF depending on size. I know from this experience I am going to be more careful about re-checking labels if I buy a different sized item.

***UPDATE***
I emailed the manufacturer. This is my email:

I have a question about your Johnny's Seasoning Salt. I wanted to know why the recipe varies depending on what size product you purchase? I have Celiac Disease and have seen advertisement on your website staring that the 8.5 & 16 oz are gluten free. The 42 oz however is not. Both bottles are called the same thing, "Johnny's Seasoning Salt" and have the same label & color scheme. Do you feel that would be confusing or misleading to consumers?

This is the email response:

Jeny

The are actually two different recipes.

The 4.75, 8.5, 16 and 32 oz versions are our original recipes and are GLUTEN FREE. This will be the version in all "regular" grocery stores including Wal Mart.

The 42oz No MSG version is specific to Costco and is not Gluten Free. This is a special recipe designed for Costco only. This will have the big "No MSG" tag on the front of the bottle and is only available at Costco.

Thanks

Jeff
Johnny's Fine Foods




4 comments:

  1. Ugh. The kind we have is from Costco, I just used a bunch of it on my morning eggs and now my stomach is paying the price. Wish I would have checked this site Prior to the stomach ache. Thanks for the info!!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Ugh. The kind we have is from Costco, I just used a bunch of it on my morning eggs and now my stomach is paying the price. Wish I would have checked this site Prior to the stomach ache. Thanks for the info!!

    ReplyDelete
  3. BUT, the small 16 oz. bottle states that it is manufactured in a facility that handles WHEAT, nuts, etc, so it COULD still be contaminated. I just came from the store and was about to purchase it when I saw that disclaimer, It is NOT safe for us Celiac consumers.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Ugh. The kind we have is from Costco, I just used a bunch of it on my morning eggs and now my stomach is paying the price. Wish I would have checked this site Prior to the stomach ache. Thanks for the info!!
    Celiac ailment

    ReplyDelete