But not gluten-free!
There is more in this Smartie Advent Calendar than it says on it
Anyone wandering the supermarkets these days might think that Christmas is just around the corner. Early birds are already starting to make small purchases for the December time. But be careful: the Smarties advent calendar shouldn’t be eaten by people with gluten intolerance.
Nestlé Deutschland AG points out in a press release that the “gluten-free logo” is incorrectly printed on the Smartie Advent calendar. However, that is not the truth.
Smarties advent calendar has the wrong “gluten-free logo”
The logo is a crossed-out ear of wheat, this was used incorrectly. According to the company, only the figure from the large 24-door contains gluten. The company therefore warns people who suffer from celiac disease, i.e. gluten intolerance, not to consume the product. The calendar is absolutely harmless to everyone else.
Wheat flour and barley malt extract are stated correctly in the list of ingredients and even highlighted in bold, but in combination with the “gluten-free logo” it can lead to confusion for buyers. The company doesn’t name an explicit batch, so all Smartie calendars seem to have the wrong logo so far.
Affected consumers can return the calendar to Nestlé
Consumers with celiac disease can return the product directly to Nestlé. Those affected can contact the company directly by telephone on 069/66 71 88 88 and receive a refund of the purchase price.
If someone who suffers from celiac disease has opened the 24th door prematurely to eat the figure, he / she should contact his / her doctor and point out the consumption.
Gluten triggers chronic internal inflammation in celiac disease patients
In celiac disease, the gluten contained in many cereals triggers a chronic inflammatory reaction in the small intestine. Gluten is mainly found in wheat, rye, barley, spelled and green spelled. Celiac disease is an autoimmune disease, which means that the immune system damages the body’s own cells.
Classic symptoms are abdominal pain, flatulence, nausea, malaise and either chronic diarrhea or the so-called fatty stool, a voluminous, oily stool. The disease changes the mucous membrane of the small intestine, which means that other nutrients from the food are no longer properly absorbed. This can lead to further complications such as iron deficiency, anemia, vitamin or mineral deficiency.
Sources used: produktrueckruf.de, nestle.de, allergieinformationsdienst.de