Domino's Pizza Now Offers "Almost" Gluten-Free Pizza (So Be Careful!)

All of the credentialing programs (GIG, NFCA) accept money, so this is a non-starter.

You are incorrect, they actually require batch testing on the end product to maintain their certifications...if they fail a test they must make big changes or they will lose their certifications...this is a very different thing indeed. The NFCA is endorsing them even though they know they will likely fail any test that will put their pizza's under 20ppm, and they are not safe for their own members. No testing is required by the NFCA, and obviously they admit the pizzas are not gluten-free, yet they seem to back Domino's headline claiming that they have a "gluten-free crust."

Thank you for your reply. While I support guiding more restaurants towards safety for celiacs, I don't think that is what is going on in the case of Domino's. Actually, I think the NFCA putting their stamp of approval on this, which is what you have done, could actually end up hurting many celiacs, and that is who you are supposed to be helping, isn't it? So is it safe to say then, that anyone can get an "Amber Designation" from you, even if the likelihood of cross-contamination is extremely high? Again, I think putting the NFCA's stamp of approval on anyone who wants it is a very bad idea. Also, besides taking money from Domino's to get your approval, what did you contribute to making their pizzas safer for celiacs? It sounds to me like they launched this line of pizzas exactly how they intended in the first place, which is making them unsafe for celiacs. What influence did you have on them?

When Domino's approached us asking for help with the launch of its Gluten Free Crust, we absolutely hoped, just like all of you, that this pizza would be safe for all those with celiac disease and gluten sensitivity. Unfortunately, after reviewing operating procedures we realized that we could not recommend this product for those with celiac disease, and we would need to urge those with gluten sensitivity to exercise judgment in deciding whether to order this pizza. We helped Domino's see that, too.

Domino's heeded our advice to include a disclaimer for the celiac community, as we all felt it was critical to be open and honest regarding who could consume this pizza. In fact, the disclaimer pops up when you select Gluten Free Crust from their online ordering system, and staff has also been trained to read the disclaimer to all customers who request a Gluten Free Crust over the phone. The disclaimer states unequivocally that the pizza is not recommended for people with celiac disease.

We can also assure you that the Amber Designation is not an easy designation to earn. We believe the Amber designation is a first step in addressing those restaurants who promote gluten-free options without training or even knowledge of cross-contamination. While we may agree to disagree about this approach, we believe we have put in place a system that can minimize the confusion, motivate an industry to train their staffs properly and, ultimately, move all restaurants to a Green Designation, including Domino's Pizza.

National Foundation for Celiac Awareness

When Domino's approached us asking for help with the launch of its Gluten Free Crust, we absolutely hoped, just like all of you, that this pizza would be safe for all those with celiac disease and gluten sensitivity. Unfortunately, after reviewing operating procedures we realized that we could not recommend this product for those with celiac disease, and we would need to urge those with gluten sensitivity to exercise judgment in deciding whether to order this pizza. We helped Domino's see that, too.

 

Domino's heeded our advice to include a disclaimer for the celiac community, as we all felt it was critical to be open and honest regarding who could consume this pizza. In fact, the disclaimer pops up when you select Gluten Free Crust from their online ordering system, and staff has also been trained to read the disclaimer to all customers who request a Gluten Free Crust over the phone. The disclaimer states unequivocally that the pizza is not recommended for people with celiac disease.

 

We can also assure you that the Amber Designation is not an easy designation to earn. We believe the Amber designation is a first step in addressing those restaurants who promote gluten-free options without training or even knowledge of cross-contamination. While we may agree to disagree about this approach, we believe we have put in place a system that can minimize the confusion, motivate an industry to train their staffs properly and, ultimately, move all restaurants to a Green Designation, including Domino's Pizza.

 

National Foundation for Celiac Awareness

I think you need to get rid of the "Amber" designation...to me if Domino's can get it anyone can. One good analogy is what if a national Italian chain launched "gluten-free spaghetti," but then cooked their gluten-free pasta in the same water as their regular wheat pastas...it seems they could get Amber Designation from you if they just told everyone about it via a disclaimer, right? The issue is that they are calling it "gluten-free" when the end product likely is not, and that they are using your name "NFCA" to back them up, implying that it is somehow ok and save because you are attached to it. Last, people in my forum are calling local Domino's and nobody is getting read a disclaimer, and this is only the first week, fresh after your extensive training, right? What happens a year from now...there is high turnover in that industry you know?

When Domino's approached us asking for help with the launch of its Gluten Free Crust, we absolutely hoped, just like all of you, that this pizza would be safe for all those with celiac disease and gluten sensitivity. Unfortunately, after reviewing operating procedures we realized that we could not recommend this product for those with celiac disease, and we would need to urge those with gluten sensitivity to exercise judgment in deciding whether to order this pizza. We helped Domino's see that, too.

 

Domino's heeded our advice to include a disclaimer for the celiac community, as we all felt it was critical to be open and honest regarding who could consume this pizza. In fact, the disclaimer pops up when you select Gluten Free Crust from their online ordering system, and staff has also been trained to read the disclaimer to all customers who request a Gluten Free Crust over the phone. The disclaimer states unequivocally that the pizza is not recommended for people with celiac disease.

 

We can also assure you that the Amber Designation is not an easy designation to earn. We believe the Amber designation is a first step in addressing those restaurants who promote gluten-free options without training or even knowledge of cross-contamination. While we may agree to disagree about this approach, we believe we have put in place a system that can minimize the confusion, motivate an industry to train their staffs properly and, ultimately, move all restaurants to a Green Designation, including Domino's Pizza.

 

National Foundation for Celiac Awareness

Here's what I find most disturbing about all of the NFCA's responses to this criticism (both here and on their website): They appear to be far more interested in defending and rationalizing their actions than they are in accurately informing and protecting people with celiac disease.

This was the most informative forum I've read about Domino's and their "gluten-free" crust. As a celiac sufferer myself, I was ecstatic to hear that Domino's was putting out gluten free crust and not because I had missed out on delivery pizza - I have been purchasing gluten free pizza from Extreme Pizza in Modesto, CA for almost 2 years now. They have two kitchens that are completely separate; ovens, ingredients...everything. Of course they charge an arm and a leg for their gluten-free pizza (which is why I was excited about Domino's) but at least I know it's legit.

While I agree that Domino's should make their disclaimer just as obvious as the words 'gluten-free' (I mean, come on now, stop teasing me! Before my diagnosis I was a beer and pizza kind of gal and now I'm genuinely frustrated that I can't…ever.) we HAVE to become advocates for our own health and STOP taking someone's word for it.

For years my doc said that my celiac symptoms were in my head he has been replaced- if I took his word for it I'd be looped out on pills. Instead, I did my own research and sure enough, he was wrong. My new physician said that I had been undiagnosed for at least 10-15 years. I grew up believing every word my doc said, but now I know that regardless of what medical condition you have - it is best to research it for yourself. Maybe it's just me, but it was like pulling teeth to get a diagnosis - and I just can't take anyone's word for it anymore.

While I understand that this is upsetting, I think that the benefits of this are being overlooked. Just the fact that a large national chain is now offering an option for those with gluten sensitivity will generate huge awareness of celiac and gluten sensitivity. More and more companies will take interest in doing the same and many of those will implement the proper cross contamination procedures. Not every single restaurant or take out/delivery company has the space on premise to have a second kitchen. Other companies who learn about what Domino's is doing will understand quickly that by operating to serve gluten free at the level that they are able, that they will gain many more customers. While the NFCA may not have gone about this in an ideal way, this is a win win for celiacs in the bigger picture. Doctors are now just starting to acknowledge that the celiac problem is much larger than the medical establishment ever realized and most of those who are not C/or gluten sensitive have no idea what that is or what it is like. Humanity including the NFCA is in a learning curve and there will be growing pains and trial and error to get this right, but at least people are taking a step in the right direction. Anger and violent opposition are not really helpful to the process - a constructive and collaborative approach would go a lot farther.

I am very disappointed in the fact that the NFCA is not being black and white here....there is no gray!! Either it's gluten-free or it's not. I am trying desperately to educate our local restaurants in my community. Something like this goes against what I am doing. Celiac disease is serious!

I understand that in Australia, restaurants that prepare gluten based dishes in their kitchens can only claim 'low gluten' irrespective of whether the dish/ingredients are gluten free. This helps to serve as a warning for consumers, rather than expecting something claiming to be 'gluten free' is also prepared, cooked and served in a manner that ensures the final product is in fact gluten free.

As a new person diagnoised with celiac I am truly disappointed in NFCA and in Domino's Pizza. If I hadn't gone in and asked for info I would assumed that the pizza was safe for me to eat. What a disappointment. Gluten Free should only be put on truly gluten free products.

While I understand that this is upsetting, I think that the benefits of this are being overlooked. Just the fact that a large national chain is now offering an option for those with gluten sensitivity will generate huge awareness of celiac and gluten sensitivity. More and more companies will take interest in doing the same and many of those will implement the proper cross contamination procedures. Not every single restaurant or take out/delivery company has the space on premise to have a second kitchen. Other companies who learn about what Domino's is doing will understand quickly that by operating to serve gluten free at the level that they are able, that they will gain many more customers. While the NFCA may not have gone about this in an ideal way, this is a win win for celiacs in the bigger picture. Doctors are now just starting to acknowledge that the celiac problem is much larger than the medical establishment ever realized and most of those who are not C/or gluten sensitive have no idea what that is or what it is like. Humanity including the NFCA is in a learning curve and there will be growing pains and trial and error to get this right, but at least people are taking a step in the right direction. Anger and violent opposition are not really helpful to the process - a constructive and collaborative approach would go a lot farther.

What about the celiacs who will eat Domino's "gluten-free" pizzas and get injured...and perhaps end up with lymphoma? They should not be using the term "gluten-free" if the end product is not...it is that simple, otherwise it will lead to serious injury for many people who do not understand this.

I was appalled that the NFCA got involved in this matter. It feels like they got some type of payback. In fact, as far as I am concerned the pizza truly is not gluten-free since the cross contamination will be occurring at a high level. Don't even advertise it as gluten-free.

We MUST assume that not everyone fully understands that "gluten-free" does NOT mean "safe for people with celiac disease" so by calling their crust gluten-free, that endangers the health of a LOT of people! LOW GLUTEN would be the more RESPONSIBLE thing to do here (GO AUSTRALIA!)...I'm very disappointed with NFCA. Maybe they need a good bout of gluten side effects for about a month straight to understand how irresponsible their decision was there........