photo credit: tasteworchester
Greetings fellow Celiac warriors!
Yesterday, this Celiac went to a local event called "Brass City Brewfest," which was held in Waterbury, Connecticut. I went with my boyfriend and his sister-in-law. I only went to be there designated driver, but I also sampled some gluten free ciders.
While there, I thought I would sample some Mike's Hard Lemonade (since I heard rumors that there are no gluten proteins in the beverage). I went to the tent where the samples were being given, and asked the sales rep there if their drinks were gluten free. She gave me a dirty look and said she "Pssh! I don't know. Go on the website!"
I have many years of sales rep experience under my belt. When sales reps are given a product to sell to a group of people, you HAVE to be able to answer any questions given, while maintaining a good attitude. Sales reps are representing the business and the product. If you are going to be ignorant and not go above and beyond to answer a question, you should be fired. Food and beverage reps HAVE to know what is in their product, especially with so many people having food allergies and/or Celiac disease
I would have been more than okay if she said, "I'm sorry, maam, I do not know if the product is gluten free. Let me check with a supervisor or look online for you." Or, she could have said, "If you have an allergy to gluten, or Celiac disease, I would not recommend trying it, as it contains *blank.* You do NOT dismiss someone the way I was dismissed.
I asked other vendors at the event about gluten in their drinks, and Woodchuck was extremely helpful with providing information.
I will be lodging a formal complaint against the sales rep in hopes that this changes how things are run with that company. I am hoping that sales reps are better able to handle hard questions with a open-mind and positive spirit.
This is why education about gluten and various food allergies is so important. Companies, especially food and beverage companies, need to be educated about food allergies, and better equipped to handle these questions.
As someone who used to drink Mike's Hard Lemonade in her pre-Celiac diagnosis days, I'm very disappointed in that company. It's disappointing to see such a popular beverage company showing such disrespect to someone who just wanted a yes or no answer.
Celiac warriors, I hope none of you purchase or drink Mike's Hard Lemonade or any of the other products out there. They do not care about us.
Stick with companies who will go above and beyond to ensure our safety.
