Proctor & Gamble Posted - Who Should We Ask Next?

Since I'm feeling a little cranky and pugnacious this morning, I vote to take on Pillsbury. Or perhaps we should save them for when we have some other big companies to hold up to them as examples? Oh, I don't know, I just feel like going for the jugular today! Let's draft Cindy to lead the assault on the Pillsbury Dough Boy [img]http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/biggrin.gif[/img]!

Amy

Cayley's Mom -

I think that's a great idea...if we demonstrate to other companies the overwhelmingly positive effect P&G's response had on our attitudes toward the company, it might just work. Certainly worth a shot.

Jackie

I would like these companies to know that there are a lot of us and we are very brand loyal when we find one we like.

While we all have major problems with Pillsbury - I think we might be more productive with other companies. With the merger Pillsbury is already doing something about labeling and production due to General Mills' great methodologies already in place. Pillsbury is changing and evolving.

Why don't we pick another company that isn't already doing something and target them. I had been working on Kellogg's and a friend is extremely interested in ConAgra. Two biggies that could benefit from our proactivity. What do you think?

After my huge blurt, above, I thought I should just add my idea for how to actually implement this plan.

BTW - I agree with you, Jackie and Heather, that the companies need to see the positive spin on this in order for them to co-operate.

In the Products thread, at least several dozen members contacted P & G, either by email, phone or by adding comments to their website. The deluge, all at once, certainly got their attention.

I think this would be the easiest way to go about this. Whoever is co-ordinating the thread that month, will post as much contact information as possible:

Email address
Toll-free phone numbers
Website address (for comments)
Snail mail address

We will then pick a day to start the "onslaught".

I think the same inital letter/email should be sent to each manufacturer by that month's thread co-ordinator.

Now, what do we want to say? Well, we can't change labelling policies overnight, so I think the first step should be to get the companies to acknowledge we exist, en masse.

Yes, we need to ask them what their current labelling practices are, in general; specifically, we can ask about a certain line of their product (soup for Campbells, cookies for Pillsbury) so they can respond in a timely fashion. I feel, asking for too much detailed information, at first, may turn them off posting. We should probably make it "easy" for them, to do the initial post. We can them move on to the details of our concerns.

The initial letter must also give exact directions for posting, with our PA.com addresses (which forum to post under, etc.). If anyone has an idea for a "sample" letter, please post! We should all have a say in constructing a letter, which will represent all of us here at PA.com.

OK, 1 (sorta!) vote for Pillsbury! Does anyone else feel the same way Amy does, that perhaps we should "practice" on easier companies, to get a feel for what we're doing? It could provide a needed incentive for the less allergy-aware companies to post - what do you think?

Also, if enough people are interested, I'd like to get started on Monday, March 26th. By then I'm hoping we can decide on a company and on a quick, to the point, initial contact letter.

I'm sorry if my blah blah blah is making this seem more difficult than it needs to be. This can be easy and efficient! Like I said, we'll start small, get a feel for the company, and proceed from there.

Philip's Mom - I agree that Kelloggs is a likely candidate.

They are the ones with the hard to decipher "codes" on their labels, correct?

Perhaps we could address the difficulty of reading their labels, as well as asking about a specific product - cereal (which are safe, which are not).

Anyone else like this as initial idea?

This will also be a test to see if the manufacturer is consistant with the information they give us.

I'm game for this. Kellogs sounds good to me.

Kelloggs sounds good to me too. Those codes are for the birds...

More importantly though, Kelloggs is present in both the US and Canada so all us North Americans can get involved.

Perhaps initially we could target companies that are present throughout N.A. That way more can join the effort.

Are any companies we deal with concerning PA global, so that our overseas members may participate too?

I will definately help with Kellogg's but I would like to vote for ConAgra as another option for the future. I am going to start getting some general info. on them first. I will give you a breif description of what I know and then list some of the companies that they own.

A few months ago my son ate on of Swiss Miss chocolate puddings. He reacted to it so, obviously, I contacted the company that owned Swiss Miss, ConAgra. They replied that they do make a chocolate/PB on the same machines (which I never saw before) and they do not label a warning. I then asked about another one of their companies, Wesson. They also make a peanut oil on the same lines as their vegetable and other oils, but do not label a warning. (I know oils are not supposed to be dangerous but my son reacted to peanut oil before).

Now when you go to their website they advertise that they have $27 billion in retail sales and they are one of the world's largest and most successful food companies. They own:
Hunt's
Blue Bonnet
Healthy Choice
Country Pride
Chef Boyardee
Van Camps
Wesson
Butterball
Pam
Kid Cuisine
Hebrew National
...and many more!!!!

They also own foodservice companies that provide food to restaurants. They show a picture with various restaurant signs that they provide food too. These include McDonald's, Arbys, KFC, Wendy's, Taco Bell, and Chili's. They probably provide to more restaurants than that also.

This is a huge company and may be too big for us right now but let me know what you think.

Gee, they sound much more irresponsible than Kellogs - at least Kellogs labels.

I'd like to see some corporate response from United Airlines. I think we are 1/2 way there with them as to their "no bags of peanuts" policy. But I think we would all be served well if we could educate them as to the need for NO tree nuts (due to possible cross contamination) and NO pbj kids' meals served. A written campaign would work best with them (with an invitation to address our concerns directly on this board, if they wish). I will try to get some UAL management names & contact addresses (particularly in FLIGHT SAFETY, but also in customer service) so that letters can go straight to bigger cheese, so to speak.

What do you think?
EB

As to Pillsbury -- they have been purchased by General Mills (?), if I remember correctly. (Whoever manufactures Gold Medal Flours is who bought Pillsbury.) So, we need to be dealing with their parent company now.

EB

ajas_folks - that is an excellent idea. We could ask the airlines to post their policy - and they better get their story straight! Of all the conflicting answers we receive from companies, airlines tend to be the worst.

Do you think this would be better off done separately, under the Airlines Forum? We would use the same methods, of course, deluge with emails and phone calls, etc. Of course, once Chris gets the new Action Forum going, ALL corporate information will be grouped together. Great idea - I'll have to say, though, I'd be NO help organizing it! I've never even been inside an airport in my life (I'm petrified to fly!) so I don't know the first thing about policies, etc. GO FOR IT though - it's a great idea!

Naomi - ConAgra doesn't seem to be a prevalent in Canada, so I'm not familiar with a lot of their products. This seems to be a HUGE issue to Americans, though, and once we get some experience and feedback, doing what we're doing, we should address this company. Maybe we could contact 2 or 3 smaller corporations first - then go after ConAgra? They're on The List, anyway!

I'm hoping to come up with a sample letter to Kelloggs this weekend, for everyone's consideration. If anyone else can come up with a concisely worded email, please post (any technical writers out there?!).

I'm hoping I didn't give the impression in my above post, that just because I, as a Canadian, am not familiar with ConAgra, I don't want to tackle them.

Not at all!!

We're all in the same boat when it comes to labelling, and I, and I'm sure everyone else, wants it to improve globally.

It's just that, as Naomi says, they're so huge, and they encompass so many divisions, we might be better to "practice" on somewhat smaller corporations first.

As I said, they're on The List, and will be addressed ASAP.

Philip's Mom - I just wanted to add, that your experience with labelling issues will make you an indispensible part of this "getting companies to post" idea. ANY ideas you have, generally or specifically, on how to address these companies, is both welcome and necessary to its success.

arachide - I agree that I don't want this idea to exclude anyone from overseas. Perhaps once we get going here, we can toss the idea over to the UK thread (I believe Nick started one). I wouldn't have any idea which companies to target, or where their problems in labelling lay - but I would certainly be willing to join in an email blitz on their behalf. I just wouldn't be able to get company addresses, etc.

Once we get past the "baby steps" we're currently taking, this idea could really take off, and I'm hoping it will benefit everyone globally.

I'm all for targeting Kellong's next (my crankiness has lifted thanks to some Advil and I'm feeling rational again!).

Amy

Let me spend some time over this weekend to address this Kellogg's group effort. As far as arachide and nick go - Kellogg's is a multinational with manufacturing plants on multiple continents - so this company should fall into their purvue as well, although I thought arachide was in Canada.

Gosh I'm loving this thread! I say as soon as we agree on who gets out attention first, then we move on to ConAgra - I didn't realize how many products fell under their domain. It is so positive to come here and really get something done even if we are just brainstorming right now.

I've actually been quite pleased with Kellogg's and what would appear to be their allergy awareness, in Canada. I know that I have read threads where people had to find product codes to see if the product was "safe" or not, in addition to reading the label.

Of course, whatever manufacturer is chosen, I will do the same as everyone else does.

I also feel quite comfortable with Christie's (owned by Nabisco) in Canada after the response I got from them this week (which I posted all over the place).

I was going to suggest Colgate Palmolive - this would be for Fleecy, toothpaste, dish detergent, etc.

Pillsbury, definitely. I think what disturbed me about Pillsbury in Canada was that although they did take the time to re-label the packaging with the required bilingual labeling, they didn't bother to label the products they are importing from the U.S. "unsafe" which they are. And, for anyone who does have any concerns, I have lightened up quite a bit on how I would approach them! LOL!

I guess the food that I buy is SO limited, I feel so comfortable with the manufacturers that I'm buying from that I'm finding it really hard to think of someone to target.

But please know that I will be there, as I was with the P & G incident over last week-end.

Great idea, Cayley's Mom!

Best wishes! [img]http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/smile.gif[/img]

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I just finished posting a reply to this and when I hit "spell check", my computer froze up...so here goes again (and forgive any typos!!)

I think that this is a wonderful idea, having the manufacturers themselves post to our boards. As a matter of fact, I invited General Mills to do just this yesterday!

I spoke at great length to Sarah Foley at General Mills (1-800-245-2277 ext. 8322) regarding various concerns & PA issues. One of the things I was inquiring about (and I know I've seen this concern posted) is the possibility of cross-contamination between Betty Crocker cookie mixes (i.e. Peanut Butter Cookie Mix and Sugar Cookie Mix). Sarah assures us that General Mills uses stringent measures to avoid any possibility of cross-contamination amongst their products. GM is extremely allergy-aware and sensitive. (I am sure that most of you have noticed the wonderful way that Betty Crocker cake mixes note allergens -- boldly addressed at he bottom of the ingredients panel and again at the top of the back of the box.)

I was telling Sarah how some of us get a false sense of security from certain manufacturers that sponsor FAN events -- In other words, if we have noticed a particular manufacturer sponsoring FAN, one would like to assume that they are safe - BUT, often after dealing with these manufacturers we find that they are not so sensitive or diligent.

I also asked Sarah about when another company uses a General Mills company name -- For example, Signature Brands has the rights to the Betty Crocker name on their cookie frosting. I was concerned as to these other company's allergen policies and procedures, and Sarah assured me that these companies are required to follow the GM standards. She did, however, provide the Signature Brands website ([url]http://www.signaturebrands.com[/url]) and phone number 1-800-456-9573, if we have any further questions.

Sarah will be discussing the idea of General Mills posting to our boards with others in charge at GM. She said she would highly encourage GM to do so and thought this was a wonderful idea! She felt certain that GM will comply.

Also, Pillsbury is in the process of being bought be GM and, of course, they will have to comply with the GM allergen procedures per Sarah.

Keep up the good work, everyone. This is a terrific idea...yes, let's get other manufacturers to post directly and address our issues and concerns right here instead of all of us calling and getting a number of different responses.

So, who wants to be the next member to get a manufacturer "on board"?!?

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Fran

Way to go, Fran! Did you let them know where to post? I was thinking we should direct them to this Forum (although P & G did post under Products, I'm in the process of trying to find a way to bring their post over here).

Right now we're working on Kellogg's as a likely candidate for posting - we're trying to come up with a definitive list of companies to follow (so we can all be effective with an email/phone blitz). We're going to start the Kellogg's blitz on Monday, March 26th.

Thanks so much for your effort - isn't it wonderful to speak with a company rep who is reasonable AND helpful?

I posted under Peanutfree business and Manufacturers. Several of us have emailed Krispy Kreme donuts and they have assured us that they are peanut and tree nut free. Imagine my surprise and dismay when I went into a Krispy Kreme donut shop today and saw 2 signs advertising their new Almond Amaretto Donuts today! I propose that we target them after we send emails to Kelloggs! They have been very responsive to emails in the past. You can email them at [email]customer@krispykreme.com[/email]. Thanks in advance.

[This message has been edited by PattyR (edited March 17, 2001).]

[img]http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/confused.gif[/img] I have never had any problems with Kellogg's. The one time I did have to phone them about a product, they even sent out a really good brochure showing which products of theirs are "safe" and not "safe".
I don't mind appearing dumb here - I understand that some people have had difficulty with having to find product codes before they can get a "proper" answer from Kellogg's.

I'm just not clear what my complaint would be. I find that they label their products well in Canada and that they provide allergy aware information to anyone who needs it. Does this have something to do with my comfort zone and my requirement that things do not have to be run on dedicated lines?

I honestly don't mind sharing this and appearing like an idiot if someone could just explain why I should be targeting Kellogg's or I guess more specifically why everyone else feels so strongly about Kellogg's being targeted. Out of the cereal manufacturers, they are the first that I trust and then I move down the line.

Can anyone help? [img]http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/confused.gif[/img]

Also, when this "blitz" starts on the 26th, will there be something on this board to remind all of us that we should e-mail or telephone?

Many thanks and best wishes! [img]http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/smile.gif[/img]

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Okay, a tad bit more on ConAgra. I went to their website and did a search under Canada. This is what came up (not sure if you have any of the above mentioned products). They acquired Artel Inc. on January 30, 2001. It is a Canadian manufacturer of frozen prepared foods. It also said that ConAgra Agri-Products Co. is a leading distributor of crop protection chemicals, fertilizer products and seeds in Canada, the UK, Chile, and South Africa. It also refers to Cook Family Foods that are sold in Canada.

This company is sounding bigger and bigger every time I go to their website. I am just very angry that some of their companies are not labeling warnings.

I think another good company for us to contact would be Brach's. I, personally, don't allow Brach's because I am familiar with the company but for someone who is new to this allergy may not have a clue that this is a very dangerous product. There is a thread on this already about a child reacting to their product.

Cindy - Kellogg's is only being asked 2 questions:

1. Which cereals are safe, which are not?

2. What are the current labelling practices, and do they need to be improved?

That's not a complaint, just a question. The labelling in Canada is great for this company, but it seems to more difficult than it needs to be, for the Americans.

This thread is not intended to "attack" a company, and we want the good, as well as the bad, companies to be encouraged to post. It's not a "complaint" that we're lodging, it's a request for information. We are a big group, and we deserve correct information on the food allergic people ingest.

The first purpose of this thread is to ask companies to come forward to give us a definitive answer about their products. I outlined the problems above, with multiple threads on the same manufacturer, different people getting different answers, depending on who they speak with.

The answer we want the company to post must come from the corporate head office - preferably the U.S. office in this case, since Canada has good labelling, and I'm pretty sure the UK is also OK with Kellogg's.

As for the "blitz" of emails, etc. we hope to send, I intend to post all contact information, a copy of the email inviting them to post, and suggestions for questions/email wording (although this is simply a guide - if people want to write their own email, great, it is not necessary that we all be saying the same thing - just that they know we're a LARGE group who want them to post) and info about the date of the "blitz" the night before (Sunday March 25th).

I will start a new thread called "Inviting Kellogg's to Post" (if anyone has a better name for the thread - please share!), in which the above info will be placed.

Hope this answers your [img]http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/confused.gif[/img] question!

[This message has been edited by Cayley's Mom (edited March 18, 2001).]

OK - here's The List, so far:

1. Kellogg's

2. ConAgra

3. Colgate Palmolive

Pillsbury, being taken over by General Mills, doesn't need to be addressed right now, IMO, because Fran has requested that General Mills come to our site to post, and they have expressed a willingness to do this. If they do not post, then we can add General Mills/Pillsbury to The List.

Is that OK with everyone?

Also, anymore manufacturers to add to The List, or should we just focus on the 3 we have for now?

Also, I'm thinking the "blitz" will probably last several days to a week, to account for the people who don't check the boards everyday, which is why I wanted to post all the contact info the Sunday night before - then we'll have Monday to Friday to keep up the contact.

Cayley's Mom, thank-you, I knew that you, of all people, would be able to answer my idiotic questions!

Quaker Oats.

Many thanks and best wishes! [img]http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/smile.gif[/img]

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I'm sorry also, I didn't see this is a thread whereby we would be "attacking", "complaining", etc. I had just wanted to know what the "issue" was with Kellogg's.
As I said, I don't have one with them. I do recognize that other people have had problems with them, but I don't personally have an "issue" with Kellogg's.

I recently posted an e-mail in PattyR.'s letters and e-mails thread under Main Discussion. I think you will find that I never "attack" or say anything derogatory to a company. I don't even form my e-mail/letter in the form of a complaint.
I always ask clear questions and give them a reason why I am asking (i.e., I have a son who is deathly allergic to peanuts).

I am never confrontational or upsetting with the many manufacturers I deal with.

I did express EXTREME concern with Nabisco and their addition of peanut flour to Peek Frean cookies, but I think that is probably about as negative as I am.

I'm sorry, I posted late last night and I was terribly confused, as shown by the [img]http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/confused.gif[/img] smilie, but I am NEVER nasty in any of my dealings with companies.

I am sorry if somehow in wording my post above people got that impression. I do know that I have helped a great number of people from this site compose letters to manufacturers using non-offensive, clear language that usually gets us a quick, positive answer.

When I re-read the post above, although I appreciated the explanation of why Kellogg's had been "picked" (less offensive than "targeted"), I wasn't sure where the other words came from - i.e., attacked, etc. I am sorry if I gave the wrong impression in my puzzling post.

I'm actually looking forward to the heading for this type of activism that will separate it from the rest of the board. I feel out of place already.

Best wishes! [img]http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/smile.gif[/img]

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Cindy - I guess I was trying to explain that "we", as in you and everyone else on the board, wouldn't be attacking the companies in question. I can see why some people would be uncomfortable with "attack mode", even if the company in question has really bad policies. I also feel I should point out that the way I see this thread going is encompassing ALL corporations that manufacture items which could be a concern (from food to dish soap). Overly ambitious, perhaps, but if ALL companies have a chance to respond to us, it won't seem like we're unfairly singling one out.

I saw a golden opportunity with the posting by P & G, that I hope we can use to our advantage - this thread was the only way I could come up a plan to get manufacturers interested in us, as a group.

I hope no one on the board is looking at this as "my" project - I'm a keen delegator, and I know that many people here are much better versed in labelling policies than I. Also, I have an entirely selfish motive for this thread - her name is Cayley! [img]http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/smile.gif[/img] If this thread eventually contributes in any way to better labelling policies, it can only make her life a little easier.

I think this thread is the best example I can think of for the creation of a PeanutAllergy.com chat room - that way misunderstandings can immediately be addressed and EVERYONE'S input counted.

I forgot to mention how much I appreciated your first post, where you mentioned "please know that I will be there". Your extensive dealings with Canadian companies will be very valuable when sorting out specific issues with these manufacturers. I don't understand why you would feel out of place in this thread - I hope everyone can contribute to this effort, for the common good of better future labelling for all.

This is not directed at you, Cindy, but to everyone on the board in general - I'm really hoping to see more people post - I'm also hoping this can be the one thread where we put aside our differences and be heard by manufacturers for what we are - intelligent consumers who require intelligent labelling.

Once the chosen company posts on the board, we can make an informed decision about their product - that's the goal, for now.

[This message has been edited by Cayley's Mom (edited March 18, 2001).]

If you read the new topic under Recalls there is a post from Chris regarding Kelloggs rice krispie bars. It says that on the individual packages it states a peanut warning but on the box that you purchase them in there is no warning. Maybe we can mention this to Kelloggs also.

I'm ready to email just let me know when!

I will take the United Airlines campaign to the "AIRLINES" board & we'll work them from there. Once we get a "Corporate Response" board set up, we can consolidate there.

I really feel that one of the most important things we can do as a group is to always INCLUDE in our correspondence to ALL companies our gratitude and praise for the allergy-awareness things (labeling, removal of peanuts, etc.) they may already be doing!

Waiting to send my first part of this blitz campaign!!

EB

Well i'm for Kellogg's as I can't find any of their safe cereal here in Monterey Calif.
And I'm also for Quaker Oats.
But would like to add keebler to the list. I want to add do to things I read on a keebler thread today and because when checking out little brownie bakers(which bakes girl scout cookies) i was sent throught their link to keebler.
christyn

Updated Manufacturer List

1. Kelloggs

2. ConAgra

3. Colgate Palmolive

4. Quaker Oats (PepsiCo)

5. Brachs

6. Keebler

7. Krispy Kreme Donuts

Thanks everyone for all the excellent ideas.

Naomi - Asking Kellogg's about the mislabeling incident is a good intro to our email. I would also like to ask if they would consider adding allergy information to their website. There is NONE, not even anything about gluten, which is probably their number one FAQ.

Cindy and yarnwoman - Quaker Oats was acquired in a merger with PepsiCo in Dec. 2000. Perhaps we could ask what their labeling policies are now, after the merger?

ajas_folks - I posted under Cassandra's thread "addresses to send emails" under the Airline Forum, describing your idea, if you wanted to check that thread. She lists all the places to CC any complaints - might be a good idea to CC these places with requests for Airlines to post their policies?

Philip's Mom - arachide is Canadian, she was just wondering how to include Europe in this idea.

PattyR - it would be nice to have them post with a definitive answer on the almond flavoring - is it real or artificial? They do seem very allergy aware.

I'm compiling lots of contact info this week - keep posting with ideas for manufacturers to contact!

[This message has been edited by Cayley's Mom (edited March 19, 2001).]

I'm with you. Just let me know when. Kim

I did start a separate thread to see who had reacted to what product and why - i.e., was it due to cross contamination or the company not labeling properly? At any rate, I have received two replies to-date. The only one that sticks out in my weary mind is Haagen-Daaz right now.

Do you want to add manufacturers to the list when cross contamination has occurred?

Also, under Safe Easter Chocolates?, I think under Products, we MAY have a potential problem with candy maker Trebor Allan.

Best wishes! [img]http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/smile.gif[/img]

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Carolyn, it is awesome that you are compiling all this yourself. Perhaps we could help you out by some of us each taking one company and getting all the info (Was that even close to being grammatically correct? Good Lord, I am tired today!). Feel free to assign me a company that you have not covered yet.

Amy

I was with Cindy about being confused on why exactly kellogg's was "picked". The explanation was good so now I get it! I would also be willing to contribute by being assigned a company. I just want clear cut guidelines on what information we are "going" for.

Linda

Hi everybody. Sorry to have been away but 60 degrees in Denver in March just cannot be ignored. Now my achy out of shape body needs to just sit and recuperate.

I have many emails regarding this thread. Let me just say that what is being accomplished here is for the benefit of our community, not for individual's gain. I am selfishly concerned with my son - but equally concerned for your PA affected family members and making life better for them. If you personally don't have a problem with the company we are working with, i.e. Kellogg's at the moment, then save your energies for one that does interest you in the near future.

The other point I need to clarify is that I am not a labeling guru. Labeling is my pet peeve - it really bugs me to spend so much time grocery shopping, calling manufacturers, dealing with recalls, etc., etc. To that end - I began with Kellogg's because I believed most of us feed our family cereal and Kellogg's does not label (save for their production code). My goal was to get them to label their products with the seven major allergens as General Mills does.

I see above that our collective goals have been defined as:

(1) determining which products are safe;
(2) determine their labeling practices and perhaps trying to get them improved where needed.
(3) getting Kellogg's to post on this site the above information.

I have been asked by another poster here to write the initial letter to Kellogg's with our concerns, questions and requests. Coming from a marketing background - this will be viewed as a form letter and will be discounted as such. I don't think this will be as powerful as many of us writing individual letters in our own tenor detailing our own experiences and concerns.

I believe we are to begin a calling campaign on Monday, March 26th. This should be closely followed by a letter writing campaign. We need to keep the pressure on - the focus on allergy labeling. What I have been trying to determine is the name that the letters should be sent to. I still don't know who that person is for us to be the most effective at this campaign. I will continue this week to seek out this info and hope to provide it shortly.

Early in my twenties I worked in a support center (call-in group) and shortly thereafter became supervisor of the center. Each week a report would be produced itemizing the calls received for which products and what problems. If a particular product is receiving myrid calls/complaints - that product receives additional focus or response to the customer. This is where we need to plant the seeds of our discontent. The call in campaign should not be limited to just one day - but perhaps the whole week. We really need to get their attention. If there are friends or relatives you could enlist to make calls - please do so. Since Sunday/Monday tends to be very busy for me I do not want to commit to issuing a reminder post here to call. Is there someone who could volunteer for this?

Cayley's Mom - a BIG thank you for all the work you have done. It takes a lot of computer time to search out the companies and post your findings here - I for one appreciate your efforts.

[This message has been edited by Philip's Mom (edited March 20, 2001).]

Cindy - yes, definitely, we need a list of companies where cross-contamination is an issue. Also, I'll add Trebor Allan to The List.

Amy and rilira - Thanks so much for your offer! Being Canadian, I was expecting some difficulty finding and prioritizing information on ConAgra, in particular. This is a HUGE company, so maybe the two of you plus Naomi, could help get contact information for this thread. I believe they are our next priority, so post any contact info you get on this thread, then I will sort it out and put it the proper spot before our next "blitz". THANK YOU! [img]http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/smile.gif[/img]

I agree that form letters may be disregarded, but the sheer number of

Here is how I envision the

Cayley's Mom - you're really taking off with this! Great job - I don't think you're missing anything for the short term. My question is what happens if we don't get the desired result? What is the desired result? Do we just want them to post on our site which of their products are safe/not safe and their labeling guidelines?

Should we get them to respond here, and I'm hoping we do, you and I both know their labeling methodologies are inadequate for our purposes. Do we then go back to them en masse and ask for labeling changes (kick up a ruckus so to speak).

I'm afraid we're going to target a company with the goal of improved labeling and I don't think a one week blitz will accomplish this. I would be happy to keep at Kellogg's after this coming event but would almost recommend a once a month or every two months we revisit with them as a group to see what changes, if any, they are implementing.

What do you think?

I realize this is all new to the board - perhaps we should try this one time and see what happens as you've detailed above.

Philip's Mom - yes, we are kind of making it up as we go along (by "we" I mean everyone on the board [img]http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/smile.gif[/img])!

Here's my thinking:

Our [b]primary[/b] goal is to get the company to post. Once they know we exist, we'll have a "foot in the door", so to speak.

Once they post, we should let them know we appreciate the gesture by responding to the post in a positive way. This should be easy, because I don't believe Kellogg's will post anything inciting, causing riots or anything [img]http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/wink.gif[/img].

Our [b]secondary[/b] goal should be follow up: We should set a date for following up ANY points Kellogg's makes regarding labeling. In fact, Proctor & Gamble disclosed they are removing peanut oil from Downy Calming Mist - we should contact them in 2 months and ask if it's been done yet, for example. Personally, I'd like the follow-up date to be set fairly early, once we have the initial Kellogg's post. It will give us a sense of "closure":

(A) Initial contact
(B) Response to the company
(C) 2 month follow-up

If we just follow this "formula" at first, maybe we can actually accomplish something with this! I'm sure there will be bumps in the road ahead - we just have to deal with them as they come.

I think for now we should keep the intial contact low-key - we don't want to make them too intimidated to post!

Just my thoughts - I must say, I am getting totally STOKED about this idea! Can you imagine if this actually comes together? Go Team PA!! (Sorry, I'm not trying to turn this into a Richard Simmons-style thread [img]http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/biggrin.gif[/img])

Also, I think only the initial contact needs to be accomplished by a massive email campaign. Once we're on their "radar", the 2 month follow-up will probably generate a response with fewer individuals contacting them. That's my hope, anyway!

Cayley's Mom - Go Team PA!!! I love it!

I too am greatly encouraged by others banding together in this endeavour. Great follow-up ideas.

When I emailed Kellogg's some time ago I was very broad in my questioning of peanut content in their product line. They responded within a couple of days that they had too many products to email me back but suggested I call them.

If we are starting with an email campaign - should we narrow it down to one product, or one product line - say, cereals, in order to generate written response? Once we get them on the hook so to speak we can broaden our discussion with them to their full product line.

Any thoughts?

I checked out ConAgra today, and as I expected it is a HUGE company. Just a few of their brands are: Armour, Banquet, Bumble Bee, Butterball, Campfire, Chef Boyardee, Healthy Choice, Libby's & Kid Cuisine. EAch brand has its own Consumer Affairs Department. In addition, their website ([url]http://www.ConAgra.com[/url]) also has a "we want your input" sort of e-form. We can either write to their Cahirman & CEO, choose which brands we want to target, or blitz their e-form (or do all 3).

When we are ready for ConAgra, I will post all the contact info, since by then we may have this all consolidated under an action forum. Perhaps everyone interested would like to check out their site and choose which brands to target?

Amy

Cayley's Mom, I feel okay about an e-mail response I got from Trebor Allan yesterday (I posted it under Safe Easter Chocolate and Trebor Allan). However, there did seem to be some discrepancy between e-mail information both Katiee and I received (we basically received the same information and from the same person) and what Caterina received when she telephoned.

Based on the e-mail I received from them, I feel comfortable buying their products, but I believe perhaps the inconsistency between e-mail and telephone communication is something that could be discussed if they are on the list.

Best wishes! [img]http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/smile.gif[/img]

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WOW, this is the best thread I have read here in the 5 months that I have been reading here(every night). I am ready to go on 3/26. I suppose it is best if we e-mail, phone and write a letter, (all three)? I would just like to emphasize what Cayley's Mom said about asking family and friends. As was mentioned, numbers will make them notice. If everyone asked 9 family members or friends to e-mail or call, our efforts would be multiplied tenfold. That would have to get some attention.

Philip's Mom - yes, I agree that we should only focus on Kellogg's cereal in the initial email. I think that was my first question in my sample email (which cereals are safe?). Narrowing the focus makes it easier for Kellogg's to comply with our request.

Amy - Awesome! Thanks for getting the ball rolling on ConAgra. We'll definitely need to start a new thread on them, just to sort out the different products they make, and prioritize them. Maybe we can start the new thread next week, or the week after the Kellogg's campaign? If you want to go ahead with the new thread before then, just to get a jump on the different divisions - go for it!

Cindy - yes that would be a good initial question for Trebor Allan, and indeed, a good question for a lot of companies. "Why do we receive different answers, depending on whether we email or make phone calls?"

nonutshere - glad for your support!!

Everyone! Do you think I should post a thread on the Main Discussion Board on Sunday night, directing everyone to the Manufacturer's Forum to participate in this endeavor? I'm not sure how many people make it to this Forum, so we might get a lot more accomplished by posting a "Please join us!" thread where everyone can see it. What does everyone think?

A lot of people "shut down" over the weekend. How about posting the thread on Friday in order to catch the weekday crowd?

(don't you just love shortened dealines? [img]http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/smile.gif[/img])