Released on = April 18, 2006, 9:30 am

Press Release Author = Lani K. Thompson/Clan Thompson

Industry = Healthcare

Press Release Summary = In January, a new law went into effect. While the new law
will be helpful, it only requires manufacturers to list sources of wheat, not other
grains that people with celiac disease must avoid such as barley, rye, oats, and
triticale.

Press Release Body = In January, a new law went into effect. The Food Allergen
Labeling and Consumer Protection Act requires that manufacturers declare the
presence of major food allergens on the label of any food containing protein from
one of eight foods. These include milk, eggs, fish, Crustacean shellfish (such as
crab, lobster, or shrimp), tree nuts (such as almonds, walnuts, or pecans), peanuts,
wheat, and soybeans.

While the new law will be helpful to people with those food allergies, it only
requires manufacturers to list sources of wheat, not other grains that people with
celiac disease must avoid such as barley, rye, oats, and triticale. When celiacs eat
gluten, the protein found in these grains, the protein sets off an immune response
that causes damage to their small intestine. Approximately 1 in 133 Americans are
believed to be affected by this auto-immune disorder, according to some estimates,
and the figure may be closer to 1 in 22 among people who have a close relative with
the disease, according to the National Digestive Disease Information Clearinghouse.

Shopping for safe foods can be difficult, especially for newly diagnosed patients,
because gluten is often "hidden" in other ingredients. Celiacs may not realize that
aveena sativa extract is derived from oats or that malt and amylase may be derived
from barley.

In addition, the new law will not apply to restaurant foods, bakeries, or to
packaged meat, poultry and egg products which are regulated by the United States
Department of Agriculture. Allergens that have been unintentionally added to a food
as a result of cross contamination are not subject to the new labeling requirements
either.

There is no cure for celiac disease, but the disease can be treated with a gluten
free diet.

Clan Thompson's Celiac Food SmartList software helps celiacs research the gluten
status of many national and regional products. Gluten information is verified
directly with each manufacturer. There's even a category for restaurants that offer
gluten free menus. The software program makes it easy to search on products by name
(such as "Emeril's Vodka Pasta Sauce\"), category (such as \"Sauces\") or manufacturer
(such as "B & G Foods"). A "Comments" field is included to help users make informed
decisions. Typical comments might include: "Tested negative for gluten at 5 parts
per million using standard industry testing methodology" or "Produced on the same
line as products containing gluten. Lines are washed between batches but a slight
residue may remain."

Over 600 manufacturers and 80 categories of food are represented in the SmartList.
Versions are available for Windows, or Mac OS X. A version for Palm handhelds makes
it easy to check items while shopping.

Clan Thompson is a family owned business located in Maine. Partners Lani K. Thompson
and Jeffrey Thompson decided to open their business in 1997, shortly after Lani's
husband was diagnosed with celiac disease. Since then, five other members of their
family have learned that they, too, have the disease.

Dr. Cynthia S. Rudert, a Board Certified Gastroenterologist in Georgia, specializing
in Celiac Disease, endorses their Celiac SmartList software. Dr. Rudert is the
Medical Advisor for the Celiac Disease Foundation and for the Gluten Intolerance
Group, two national associations for celiacs.

For more information, visit Clan Thompson's Celiac Site at http://www.clanthompson.com


Web Site = http://www.clanthompson.com

Contact Details = Clan Thompson
42 Green St.
Bridgton, ME 04009
Phone: 207-647-3601
email: lani@clanthompson.com