New Discovery

While grocery shopping last night, I made a happy discovery. B. and I had gone to Whole Foods to pick up ingredients for dinner: a rib-sticking risotto that's a favorite of ours. When we shop for groceries, we typically split up the list to make the process faster. Among the things he was collecting yesterday was bacon. We reconvened near the checkout and he asked me about it, as it was a brand we hadn't seen before -- Wellshire Farms. He had checked the ingredients on the label, but wasn't sure about "spices," which may or may not be OK for me. We were hesitating, considering changing brands, when B. saw a "smart chart" in the corner of the package.

The company's Smart Chart indicates that the bacon is gluten-, soy- and dairy-free. Yes! Further research showed that the company is very allergy-aware, and in addition to its labeling technique, its Web site (www.wellshirefarms.com) offers an allergy database and search feature that allows those with food allergies to identify which of its products are safe to consume. I'm very impressed by Wellshire Farms' commitment to customers with food sensitivities, and absolutely will look for its products in the future.

How wonderful to be able to know without a doubt that a food item is safe to eat!