Better ‘Better than Cream Cheese’?

I happen to be one of those lucky people who are extremely sensitive to gluten. My belly acts as a visible indicator, poking out almost within minutes of being exposed to even the teensiest amounts of gluten; and well, let’s just say the next few days aren’t exactly paradise for anyone in my household.


One of the offending foods to my belly: Tofutti’s Better than Cream Cheese. :(

Many other folks who have to eat a gf diet also seem to get a “glutened” reaction from it, and some even began asking questions. This is the response that has been given to a few inquiring minds (it is the same information given on Tofutti’s website FAQ’s):

Given the enormous difficulty we have in ensuring that all of our products are completely dairy free 100% of the time, the logistics in also ensuring that they would be gluten free is probably overwhelming. An additional problem is that unlike dairy free, where you can rely on an independent, outside verification service (kosher supervision), there basically is no such service for gluten

So my tummy and I opted to play it safe and avoid Tofutti cream cheese.

Again, :(

Yesterday, though, I witnessed something amazing. I was in a vegan friendly grocery stocking up on a few essentials when I saw a tub of Tofutti, glowing miraculously in the light of the display case. In big red letters on the side of the yellow and white Tofutti tub it read:

NO Gluten

what?! Since when?!

Awesome.

I scooped up two tubs of the supposedly “gluten free” stuff, and scurried happily home to share the news with my hubs. Once I got into my kitchen I didn’t hesitate a moment before shoving a big spoonful of it into my mouth. I realized I was taking a risk, but I was really curious to see if anything was different.

That spoonful tasted amazing. It tasted like the humble beginnings of New York style cheesecake, stuffed jalapeños, and cheese strudel muffins. Was it too good to be true? Thoughts of previous reactions started racing through my mind and suddenly I felt a bit apprehensive.

10 minutes passed. Nothing.

20 minutes…. still okay.

I knew then that something was different… but could it be true?

3 hours had gone by and you know what? Not a single notch went up on the ol’ belly indicator. This morning I giddily raced to email Tofutti hoping for their confirmation that better than cream cheese was now celiac friendly. Until I hear back, I’ll have to just assume that their new product is now totally xgfx… which may or may not be a very good idea.

Has anyone noticed any new wording on tubs of the non-hydrogenated Tofutti cream cheese? Anybody else also not get along with it prior to its package “re-design”? After?

Tofutti, wassup?

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9 Comments

  1. Posted May 2, 2011 at 8:45 pm | Permalink

    OMG! I am holding my breath for you! I know lots of folks don’t like Tofutti because of its processed nature as well, but I really do love it–especially in desserts. Let us know!

    xo
    kittee

  2. Summer
    Posted May 2, 2011 at 8:46 pm | Permalink

    Thanks so much for posting this! I had tried this last year and got sick. I’ll have to see if I can find some of the GF kind and give it another go. :D

  3. Posted May 5, 2011 at 7:36 pm | Permalink

    Oooh let me know.. I would love to be able to eat tofutti in desserts upon occasion. Mostly tho since going vegetarian, then vegan, then vegan & GF.. I’ve turned to the raw foodies for good eats. Lots of things bother my tummy.

    <3 Heather :)

  4. Posted May 6, 2011 at 2:21 pm | Permalink

    That’s a great find! We were GFCF a number of years back, and cream cheese and sour cream were two very sticky problems. Great to hear things are looking up!

    Nicole

  5. Posted May 8, 2011 at 11:55 am | Permalink

    awesome!!!

  6. Posted May 12, 2011 at 3:13 am | Permalink

    Allyson,
    I think I may have figured this out. Do you know if your old Tofutti was hydrogenated or non-hydrogenated kind? As far as I know, the non-hydrogenated ones have always had this label. Maybe that’s the difference–they source them separately or something? The hydro one has no yellow on the packaging versus the one you posted in the blog, which is non hydrogenated.

    xo
    kittee

  7. Posted May 12, 2011 at 3:15 am | Permalink

    if you follow this link
    http://www.tofutti.com/btcc.shtml
    the tub pictured is hydrogenated and the labeling is different on the side.

    xo
    kittee

    • allyson
      Posted May 12, 2011 at 8:47 am | Permalink

      hey Kitteebee! nope, can’t be that, as I’ve never bought the hydrogenated kind. Actually, in the store they had both tubs (both yellow, non-hydrogenated) and one said “no gluten”, the other did not (old packaging). That same non-hydrogenated stuff used to give mah belly fits. Yet, the packages with “no-gluten” on the label has not caused me any problems…. I hope it stays this way!

      I’m still waiting for my email back from Tofutti… crossing my fingers for their confirmation!! <3 <3

      • Posted May 12, 2011 at 11:44 am | Permalink

        well that is awesome!!!! i wonder if they’re on twitter? off to go see.
        xo
        kittee

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