Companies: Please Read

Product Review Policy & Sample Guidelines

Thank you for your interest in having your product reviewed on my blog. I’m always open to receiving gluten-free samples—whether for tasting or testing—and I genuinely appreciate the generosity of companies who make that possible. Gluten-free products are often prohibitively expensive, and I wouldn’t be able to explore nearly as many without your support.

That said, there are a few important guidelines to be aware of before sending anything my way. These are in place to protect both myself and my readers.

Safety First: What I Require

• Certified Gluten-Free Facility: Ideally, your product should be made in a dedicated gluten-free facility with certification showing less than 5ppm gluten.
• Oats: If your product contains oats—edible or topical—we’ll need to talk first. Mechanically separated oats are not acceptable due to cross-contamination risks.
• “Gluten-Free” Wheat or Derivatives: I am allergic to wheat. Products containing wheat starch, wheat dextrin, or glucose syrup sourced from wheat or barley will not be reviewed.
• Shared Facilities: If your facility isn’t dedicated gluten-free, the production lines must be. The product must still be certified.
• No Dedicated Lines: If your gluten-free products are made on shared lines without dedicated equipment, I won’t be able to review them.

Certification Standards

In the U.S., I recognize certifications from:

• Celiac Sprue Association (CSA) – Preferred
• Gluten-Free Certification Organization (GFCO) – Accepted with caution due to past transparency concerns

If you’re outside the U.S., please let me know which certification body you use so I can research their standards. I’ve seen international companies label products “gluten-free” while using ingredients like wheat starch or barley-based glucose syrup—none of which I will consume.

Why These Precautions Matter

Even trace amounts of gluten cause me severe reactions. A single exposure can trigger days of gastrointestinal distress, followed by months (sometimes up to a year) of nerve pain and itching. My nerve pain medication was discontinued for profit reasons, despite its effectiveness. I hope this helps explain why I’m so careful.

My readers often have similar or more severe reactions. I won’t risk misleading them by reviewing products that aren’t truly safe.

If You’re Still in the Certification Process

I’m happy to write an initial post about your product, the precautions you’re taking, and your certification journey. Once your product is officially certified, I’ll gladly do a full taste-test and review. If a certified sample isn’t sent after the initial promotion, I’ll remove the post—it’s published with the understanding that a sample will follow.

Review Style & Expectations

I provide honest reviews, not promotional copy. I blind taste-test samples with others to ensure balanced feedback. If one person dislikes something, someone else may love it. I’ll never be harsh, and I always highlight strengths—whether it’s texture, packaging, or accessibility—even if the flavor isn’t my favorite.

If you’re uncomfortable with honest feedback, it’s best not to send samples. I value your time and mine.

Non-Food Products

I also review gluten-free and grain-free non-food items, including:

• Dog food (no chicken or brewer’s yeast—one dog is allergic, and brewer’s yeast isn’t safe in a celiac household)
• Shampoo and personal care products

Obviously, I won’t be tasting these, but they still need to be safe.

What I Don’t Review

• Cookbooks (I’m working on one myself)
• Weight loss apps (not applicable to me)

Shipping & International Products

I’m based in the United States. My blog and Facebook page have global reach, but please confirm that your company can ship perishable items to the U.S. before contacting me.

If your product is only available in your country and doesn’t ship to the U.S. (aside from blogger samples), let me know. I’ll tailor the review for your local audience. And yes, if it’s amazing, I’ll be sad I can’t order it—but I’ll still review it.