General Mills Draws Fire for Gluten-free Manufacturing Choices

All I know is that I have celiac, and am quite sensitive to cross contamination. I ate some of these Cheerios this morning and loved them...no reaction...no problem. I was thrilled.

Let me tell you, I was SO EXCITED when they first came out that I went and bought yellow box Cheerios and Honey Nut. I started with the yellow box (my favorite), but started to notice some GI upset setting in several hours after eating the cereal. I gave the benefit of the doubt that "maybe it was something else" that made me feel sick, and stopped eating the cereal so that I wouldn't be sick before a weekend trip that included a long drive.

Monday I came back and ate a big bowl of Cheerios, and one week later I'm still feeling the effects. I don't think there's tons of gluten in there, but there's enough to disturb my GI tract for a long time without making it bleed (my usual "bad" reaction).

To say I'm disappointed is an understatement. I wish they would use certified oats, or test smaller batches or SOMETHING.

I'm glad you posted this article. I was thinking of trying the new gluten free Cheerios but after hearing that they separate the wheat and barley from the oats to make their product I definitely will not. This does not meet my definition of gluten free for celiacs. I see a large possibility for error. They need oats that are gluten free from the field to the product.

I think that General Mills needs to be careful. Celiacs like myself would love to dig into a bowl of Cheerios, as long as it was a for sure a Gluten Free product. Step it up GM and get gluten-free oats and make everyone happy!

I have celiac disease and became very sick after eating this cereal. I will never buy or eat it again.

I think that General Mills needs to be careful. Celiacs like myself would love to dig into a bowl of Cheerios, as long as it was a for sure a Gluten Free product. Step it up GM and get gluten-free oats and make everyone happy!

As far as Celiac.com knows, their gluten-free Cheerios have never tested above 20ppm, and are gluten-free. If anyone can point us to objective tests showing higher levels, please let us know.

My daughter ate the Honey Nut Cheerios, and she developed a rash (which she gets from eating gluten) all over her legs. I don't think it's actually gluten free.

I was so excited to hear about General Mills making Cheerios gluten free. My daughter ran out and bought two boxes of original and one Honey Nuts. I questioned GM's process when I reviewed its website and back of box. So rather than dive right in, I tried about 6-7 Cheerios (like a toddler!) in the evening and experienced GI issues all night long (I am a celiac). Thankfully my taste test was rather limited so I was able to "sleep off" most of the symptoms. Needless to say, Cheerios got shelved in my household. Fellow celiacs, please be warned!

I was so excited to hear about General Mills making Cheerios gluten free. My daughter ran out and bought two boxes of original and one Honey Nuts. I questioned GM's process when I reviewed its website and back of box. So rather than dive right in, I tried about 6-7 Cheerios (like a toddler!) in the evening and experienced GI issues all night long (I am a celiac). Thankfully my taste test was rather limited so I was able to "sleep off" most of the symptoms. Needless to say, Cheerios got shelved in my household. Fellow celiacs, please be warned!

This type of "gut test" isn't a valid way to detect gluten. It is widely known that some celiacs have an oat intolerance, which is separate to their reaction to gluten. Please let Celiac.com know if you test them and the results are over 20 ppm--all else is just spreading rumors.

Was so excited about the prospects of eating those childhood cereals once again. But hearing the news, and reading the previous reviews who have had reactions, I will wait until their process is sorted out. They are large enough they could afford to purchae the gluten-free oats for their product.

I am extremely sensitive. I ate the Honey nut cheerios and I didn't have any reaction. I love the cereal but yes I think they should be very cautious because the make gluten cereal also and I don't want any cross contamination in my cereal.

I am extremely sensitive. I ate the Honey nut cheerios and I didn't have any reaction. I love the cereal but yes I think they should be very cautious because the make gluten cereal also and I don't want any cross contamination in my cereal.

By nature very large, publicly traded companies must be far more cautious than small companies. This is due to greater liability concerns that come from having deeper pockets. General Mills is not a risk taking company by any stretch.