Showing posts with label customer service. Show all posts
Showing posts with label customer service. Show all posts

Sunday, November 11, 2007

Nabisco versus Bachman: a consumer's grump

I emailed both pretzel companies recently, asking about nuts, dairy, sesame, etc (the Eldest's allergy list), whther these ingredients were used in their products, on shared equipment with products that didn't have the allergens I listed, or simply in the same facility. I've written this email many, many times before, and frankly nowadays I write it with a certain measure of skepticism. I rarely get a good response (With the exception of Amy's Kitchen and gDiapers, they were extraordinary in their response to me.)

Here are the responses I recieved. Please note that this is not a suggestion that you buy these products, if you share any of the Eldest's allergies - ingredient lists change regularly, and you should always check. Instead, I'm offering this as an example of how things can - and how they usually do - work in this sort of exchange.

Bachman said:

The Bachman pretzels are egg and nut free. We distribute nuts and peanut butter filled pretzels, but we do not produce them. Our pretzel facility does have dairy, poppy and sesame seeds in the plant. We do have two dedicated lines that do not use dairy or seeds and are in a separate location in the plant. The following pretzels would be safe for your child:

Kidzels
Thin'n Rights Fat Free
Thin'n RightsPetites or
Mini's

If you need any further information, please e-mail me at dfacciolli@thebachmancompany.com

Sincerely,

Debra Facciolli
The Bachman Company
Quality Assurance Manager

The Mama says: Bravo! Clearly responded, well done.

Nabisco said:

If there is an allergenic protein in a product due to the presence of sesame seed, sunflower seed, poppy seed and/or cottonseed, it will be stated on the ingredient line. If the seed is processed in such a way as to remove the allergenic protein (e.g sunflower oil that has been refined, bleached and deodorized), and is part of a natural flavor then it does not need to be added to the ingredient line.Please note that at this point the allergenic protein has been removed.

Allergist's Note: this is not necessarily true.

I sent a politely irked email pointing this out, and requesting specific information regarding the 'natural flavors.' I also reiterated my question regarding ingredients, shared equipment and facility. (See above: the response did not discuss shared equipment or facility.) The same person said:

The supplier from which we obtain the natural flavoring will not reveal the exact ingredients to us, as they consider it to be proprietary.We do require the suppliers to inform us if any of the following components are in the flavor so we can label them on the ingredient line:

eggs, dairy, celery, soy, treenuts, peanuts, wheat, fish, shellfish, seafood, gluten and sulfites

Also, we do not include monosodium glutamate (also known as MSG), hydrolyzed protein (sometimes known as hydrolyzed vegetable protein or HVP) or autolyzed yeast extract under the term 'natural flavor' in the ingredient line.

What I can tell you is that if any of our products contains protein from a substance recognized by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to cause severe to life-threatening reactions in susceptible individuals, those substances are ALWAYS listed on the ingredient statement.

Kim McMiller

Associate Director, Consumer Relations
Mama's note: my questions about shared equipment/facility are not addressed. Nor is the FAAN study that I cited regarding tree nut proteins found in 'natural flavors.' Furthermore, she's overlooking that my list of allergens includes items that the FDA requires them to list (a.k.a. the Big Eight allergens). Furthermore, the FDA has yet to make a decision about cross-contamination, and is wavering over how much protein content counts as life-threatening. Which makes stating the FDA's position not exactly helpful in answering my question.

My final request for clarification and my restatement of my questions was ignored.

Meanwhile, all hail Allergy Grocer, which not only answers my questions with zest and speed, but has an extraordinary level of precision. They do not, alas, manage questions about products outside of their own selection, which leaves me out of luck where Triscuits are concerned.

BTW, Triscuit makes a sesame-containing version, the garlic-rosemary flavor. Seems like the answer to my question was: yes, we make a product with sesame. And anything made on the same machines as this cracker would be problematic. So why couldn't the contact person at Nabisco just say that, and tell me what is/is not made on shared lines? In the same facility?

Bah, humbug.

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From the post over at Check My Tag, I suspect Utz would be another company worth trying to talk to... see here for some excellent labelling practices.

Saturday, April 28, 2007

perfection's pitfalls

Oh, my - I think we hit a blog record on the last posts. Readers came out of the woodworks to comment - how blogospheric.

Thanks, by the way, to magid who not only offered a little butt-saving on a publication that I volunteer for, but also provided this: http://www.dialahuman.com/ A nice shortcut to getting a human being to talk to at a number of companies, which is pretty damned crucial when trying to interpret ingredient lists.
Note: Hain Celestial, the quiet king of processed organic foods, does not have a number listed. Which, considering their track record vis a vis customer service is, well, to be expected. I hate it that Big Organic (to quote Michael Pollan) has such an uncaring ear on the other end of the phone. Or email. But maybe it's the Big in 'Big Organic' that does it.

Okay, moving on from Michael Pollan - more about him and his book some other time.
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I used to watch reruns of Everyone Loves Raymond, a funny, funny show about a guy with rather insane parents who live right across the street. And have a key. The bit that's echoing in my head right now is from an exchange with a retirement community manager and Debra, Raymond's wife. The topic? Debra's mother-in-law, whose sense of perfectionism has had some, well, impact on her fellow community members.

Debra: But what about the show?
Manager: She is the show. Everyone else quit!

Sometimes, to echo my previous post, best is the enemy of good. Or even functional. Damn, but the universe does like to rub it in a little.

I've been working on a local bleeding disorder publication as a volunteer. I took over copyediting duties (temporarily, thanks to magid), and helped organize issues. I pushed for more original content, and organized a printing schedule. I was thorough, focussed, energetic, dedicated...and possibly a wee bit scary.

Finally, one mom gave it to me straight. I had sent her an edited draft of her article, and asked her to consider doing x, y and z (and possibly also c through q), and she threw up her hands. I'm exhausted and overworked, she said, and I just can't keep up with this. I'm sorry, but this is as good as it gets.

Not wanting to 'be the show,' I backed right off, thanked her for her efforts, and sat on myself. This is allowed to be as good as it gets. It is, it is, it is. Damnit.

Something cosmic has my number, that much is clear: like the rest of my hard-headed family, I tend to be tough to budge once I get an idea in my head. Polite, demure repetitions don't work - blunt honesty and a touch of rubbing my nose in it, however, is far more effective. And unpleasant, but that's the price we type AAAs pay for our tunnel vision. So, the lessons in the joys of imprecision (imperfection?) continued ruthlessly...

The Man wrote his first article for said publication. It was an analysis of trends in the growth of wages vs the growth of medical costs, specifically health insurance. Good topic, very much of interest, and it was going fine until he wrote...

If the current trend continues, the American family will have to choose between paying for health insurance or paying for other necessities for life.

Oh, jeez. I saw the numbers - he's right. Assuming the numbers are right, of course. But could we write that, without a. sending people into a panic and b. having done lots of research to be absolutely, positively sure and c. offering some positive option as to what folks can do (why create all that anxious energy, if you aren't going to focus it somehow?). Nope. Can't. See earlier quote from stressed out volunteer mum. So the article went off to the layout guy sans the sentence, but the numbers all still in there.

Both the imprecision and the realities the Man was turning up and in equal parts saddening and irksome. Where the hell are my rose colored glasses, anyhow? What about a little soft shoe? A little smoke and mirrors? Even the Spanish Inquisition - nobody ever expects them, you know.

Seriously, though, precision and perfection seem to just be setting us up for a fall right now, at Chez Imperfect. Quitting the spandex-clad gig didn't quite seem to do it, but maybe a conceptual shift will. Rain expected tomorrow? Family hike planned? Packing the slickers here, folks, but going even in the wet. Finding the Eldest hauling the Toddles around by the hood of his sweatshirt? Teaching focus on others by making the big one feed the little one dinner. Poor kid had to stay in his seat until his little brother was done (snigger). It's imperfect, it's wickedly amusing (to me), but what the hell, it is certainly functional.
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Of course, now that I've given my wee speech, I should admit that there is one place I do not find myself willing to accept imperfection: my home care company (h.c.co).

The grumpy couriers continue. Friday night one turned up, rang the wrong buzzer, called and left a message on the machine (for which I am grateful) to say that we weren't home, and clearly this wasn't his fault. (I take it that we have a reputation which makes him so preemptively defensive?) I raced downstairs and caught him, and he told me all about how he's an electrician with 25 yrs experience who has been out of work for a while now, thanks to the boom in foreclosures. Um, good to know, dude. Thanks.

I stood there, awkwardly. I considered trying to show him that he was doing something of value, something important to us - we really needed the kid's meds, thanks for bringing them - but it was obvious that it would only highlight the non-electrician part of his life, and tick him off even more. Agh. So I exclaimed over his bad luck, looked appropriately shocked, and accepted the package of medication.

But why, oh why was I getting a delivery on Friday night? Ah. Well, I'd ordered a month's supply of clotting factor from the h.c.co, told them I'd call the HTC nurse and negotiate the details with her as to how many vials of the stuff, and how big the doses should be. I called the HTC, told the nurse how many vials of 1000 units, 5000 units and 250 units we'd used over the past month, detailing any bleeds that had lead to extra dosing. I explained that we would probably need a similar quantity this month, I was putting in an order and could she call me to review specifics? They got ahold of her first (probably beeped her, the so-and-sos) and decided to send me 4 doses. Of, by the way, the smaller dosage size.

WTF?

I counted very very high, and called the HTC. All a mistake, I was told. Sigh. I'm tired of mistakes, of getting 8 butterfly needles when I asked for 50, getting 4 vials when I need closer to 25. Yes, thanks to Mister Grumpy Courier-Electrician guy we have the rest, but bah, humbug. I do not wish to cut my h.c.co slack, I instead wish them to have the precision that so appropriately eludes the other aspects/personages in my life. Unfair? Ah, what the hell. Maybe once my grumpiness level drops, my ability to accept the h.c.co folks as human will return, but maybe not.

Maybe I need something like the Man's formula for calculating his stress level (no, apparently he can't just do an internal query, there needs to be a model, weighted elements, and probably a macro). Maybe something like this, to measure and analyze my grumpiness:




Hmm. Doesn't look so good, does it? Maybe it is time for that hike.


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I never promised perfection, let alone consistency. But recipes, well, that I did promise! This one is a new favorite, courtesy of Spring and her ever patient husband.

The Artichokes of Springtime

4-6 artichokes, halves and the choke removed
3 lemons, sliced thinly
1/2 c. white wine
1/2 c. olive oil
small sprinkling peppercorns
mint (dried or otherwise) to taste
salt
6 cloves garlic, peeled and smashed with the side of a knife
2-4 thinly sliced onions

Mix all ingredients but the artichokes and spread over the bottom of a roasting pan. Lay artichokes on top, cut sides down. Cover with foil.

bake at 400 until done - about an hour. Test an outer leaf for tenderness (discreetly). Serve, using the lemon-onion mixture as topping and sauce.
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Got this in my email. The New England Hemophilia Association is raising funds for their summer camp, which is for families with bleeding disorders. Apparently, NEHA needs some new equipment (too true, I'm told - the camp's beyond barebones), and decided to hit the guys up, right before Mother's Day. Sneaky. And because I admire sneaky, I'm helping. Here it is:
NEW ENGLAND HEMOPHILIA ASSOCIATION
BLOOD BROTHERS – BLOOD SISTERS Bracelets Available Now!


Own a unique piece of jewelry designed especially for NEHA
and help us buy some new equipment for Family Camp

These beautiful bracelets are made with red garnet beads and silver accents. The center alphabet blocks, “BB – BS”, represent our community of Blood Brothers and Blood Sisters

Bracelets cost only $20, with $8 from every sale going to NEHA

Bracelets will be available for pick up at three upcoming NEHA programs
(SpringFest is May 12th, right before Mother’s Day – hint, hint)
or, if you prefer, we would be happy to mail it to you.
(Please note: Mail orders cannot be guaranteed before Mother’s Day)
--------------------------------------------------
NEHA Blood Brothers-Blood Sisters Bracelet Order Form

Name: _______________________________________________________________
Amount Enclosed (checks payable to NEHA): ___________________________________

Small (6½ “) Medium (7”) Large (7½”)
Quantity: _________ _________ _________
~ additional sizes available on request ~

SpringFest (5/12) Picnic (6/10) Family Camp (7/25)
I will pick up at: _________ _________ _________

Please mail to: _________________________________________________________
Order Forms should be sent to:
Sue Dowling @ NEHA / 347 Washington St. – Suite 402 / Dedham, MA 02026

If you are coming to SpringFest, please send your order via email to
susandowling@newenglandhemophilia.org and you can pay when you pick up

Tuesday, October 24, 2006

reaching out into the ether...

and getting a big handful of nothing. See below for the response I got from Hain (Earth's Best and half a dozen other organic/granola brands) about 1. what Earth Best products contain corn or corn derivatives, and 2. which are manufactured on shared machinery with products that contain corn or corn derivatives?

Here was their thoughtful response:

Thank you for taking the time to contact us regarding our Earths Best Product.

We strive to maintain the highest quality products and appreciate your patronage.Unfortunately, we currently do not have a product listing of corn free products. The Hain Celestial Group's labeling declares major allergens (peanuts, soybeans, milk, eggs, fish, crustaceans, tree nuts, and wheat) and we follow the U.S. FDA's regulations. In addition, our labeling always declares gluten containing ingredients.

We recognize the serious nature of the allergen issue and we strive to minimize risk. Both major and minor ingredients of all products, as well as all processing procedures and equipment, are closely scrutinized and all potential allergen issues as determined by the Hain Celestial Group are declared on our labeling.We assure you, the consumer, that strict manufacturing processes and procedures are in place and that each manufacturing facility has active allergen control programs.

Thank you for your continued support of The Hain Celestial Group. If we can be of further assistance, please feel free to contact us at 1-800-434-4246, Monday through Friday from 7AM - 5PM Mountain Time.

Joe
Consumer Relations

I believe that I learned precisely nothing. When prodded, the lovely folks at Hain offered further communications of nothing. Clearly, their goal was to a. do as little work as possible, and b. cover their legal tushies. Splendid.

This is, alas, par for the course where this sort of communication is concerned. The great exception has been Enzymatics (enzy.com) who quickly wrote back to let me know that yes, their children's multivitamin is safe for my kids. Of course, when asked if there's anything else manufactured on the same machinery that could cause a problem, they fell ominously silent...

But here's a newsflash for ya: fingerpaint! Contains corn and possibly wheat. Oh yes, and diapers! Some contain cornstarch, which may be why the toddles is scratching his tushie raw, the poor wee man. I'm keeping track of the diapers as responses more or less roll in from the big companies. Post with diaper information is coming up soon..

WARNING: word is out that Pampers reformulated one type of diaper wipe to include dairy. I have not yet confirmed this, but suggest you all use caution. Me, I'm a fan of the 7th Generation diaper wipes, anyway - softest I've ever touched.