Panera Quietly Testing Gluten-Free Bread Options

Looking forward to it....sounds yummy...I miss Panera since my daughter has celiac disease and I do gluten-free with her. We will definitely try it!

Many older celiacs who are faced with poor quality bread daily (like myself) fondly remember the feel of good bread in our mouths and often wish for a slice of Wonder Bread. Some thing that toasts well and doesn't feel like a rock in our stomachs after eating. Maybe a roll with a soft torn interior and a little bit of crunch on the outside. The closest I've found is the soft white bread Aldi's makes. If you can surpass that, celiacs will beat a path to your door.

I applaud Panera's efforts to provide good gluten-free food. Up to now, they have not been particularly gluten-free friendly.

I have been hounding Panera sites and e-mails to Panera execs for 8 years!! My wait is on the way to be fulfilled!! Yea!!!!!!! I have celiac disease and I welcome the interest in gluten-free products. I bake my own breads but it's just not the same. But I will admit some products are just not good. Hope Paneras products are tasty and can't wait til mid 2016!!

Looking forward to it. I bet they provide a really good bread!

I really don't know how to rate this article. It is written to provide information so it's not the article's fault that I have an issue with it's content.

It always negatively amazes me when a company announces that they are going to or provide a gluten free food and then add the disclaimer similar to Panera's that "As far as folks with celiac disease are concerned, they will need to exercise some caution, because while Panera's bread is made in gluten-free facility and with gluten-free ingredients, it will be stored and served alongside the store's regular offerings, which may be an issue for more sensitive people."

Guess what? If your food item is stored and/or served alongside gluten containing food items and there is cross-contamination --- your supposed gluten-free offering is NO LONGER GLUTEN FREE. So why bother? Who are you try to appeal to the people who think Gluten free is a type of "diet" that you can choose to be on or not? Or the people for which a Gluten Free diet is medically necessary (eg. for Celiac Disease) and they have no choice but to be on it?

Why "try" to sound like you care about the folks who must adhere to a "true" Gluten free diet, when you won't take the time or training to ensure your product(s) remains gluten free from the time the ingredients are put together to make the food to the to it is put on the customer's plate.

Shaking my head.

Yay Panera! Can't wait!

How would they prevent cross contamination??

I'm in the Detroit area!!!! I would SOOO love to try this!

I really don't know how to rate this article. It is written to provide information so it's not the article's fault that I have an issue with it's content.

 

It always negatively amazes me when a company announces that they are going to or provide a gluten free food and then add the disclaimer similar to Panera's that "As far as folks with celiac disease are concerned, they will need to exercise some caution, because while Panera's bread is made in gluten-free facility and with gluten-free ingredients, it will be stored and served alongside the store's regular offerings, which may be an issue for more sensitive people."

 

Guess what? If your food item is stored and/or served alongside gluten containing food items and there is cross-contamination --- your supposed gluten-free offering is NO LONGER GLUTEN FREE. So why bother? Who are you try to appeal to the people who think Gluten free is a type of "diet" that you can choose to be on or not? Or the people for which a Gluten Free diet is medically necessary (eg. for Celiac Disease) and they have no choice but to be on it?

 

Why "try" to sound like you care about the folks who must adhere to a "true" Gluten free diet, when you won't take the time or training to ensure your product(s) remains gluten free from the time the ingredients are put together to make the food to the to it is put on the customer's plate.

 

Shaking my head.

Ann, I agree totally with you! Also, when gluten-free products are being served by staff who don't really care or understand, the chances of cross contamination are even greater.

My head is shaking along with yours!

I am 11 years old and I have celiac disease and I'm always looking for a good bread, I have Udi's bread for lunch every day. I love going to Panera but they've never have many GLUTEN FREE options. I'm glad their trying it out!

Looking forward to it! A new Panera is opening close to my home, so now I'll be able to eat there! Thanks for publishing this.