Gluten Free - Butterbeer?

[MegDen101109]

Anyone know if the butterbeer is gluten free?

 

[KellifromCanada]

oooh, and I need to know the number of carbohydrates for my daughter who has Juvenile Diabetes and is insulin dependent.

 

[damo]

Here is a little info: carbs anyway

http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2010/08/25/harry-potter-butterbeer-mystery-solved-we-tested-it/

You'll have to call guest services for more specific info.

 

[KellifromCanada]

May I just say, I totally love you for finding that information!!!

Kelli

 

[MegDen101109]

For anyone else wondering, I called Guest Services & Butterbeer as well as the Pumpkin Juice is gluten free!!!

(And you can also get a gluten free meal at Three Broomsticks!)

 

[damo]

Thanks for posting back. I'm sure we will get this question often.

 

[autostyles]

For anyone else wondering, I called Guest Services & Butterbeer as well as the Pumpkin Juice is gluten free!!!

(And you can also get a gluten free meal at Three Broomsticks!)

According to the food services manager the whipped topping is NOT gluten free due to being prepared in a heavily cross contaminated area. They first told us is was gfree, then after serving my Celiac son, the manager came running back out as my son was taking a sip and said not to drink it, that she was just informed that where they prepare the topping was a very high risk for CC, and that it was not considered Celiac safe. She brought him one without topping, but we have since been back and been told they cannot do that ever again because of Trademark obligations. They cannot even put it on the side...it HAS to be prepared together. So, my son feels left out, once again. Thanks Universal. Believe me, we took it all the way up the chain in guest services, they did NOT care. Only that they performed their contractually obligated duty the way the paper says to. They did not care one iota about my son. I have never ever felt so bad for him as I did today.

 

[phamton]

According to the food services manager the whipped topping is NOT gluten free due to being prepared in a heavily cross contaminated area. They first told us is was gfree, then after serving my Celiac son, the manager came running back out as my son was taking a sip and said not to drink it, that she was just informed that where they prepare the topping was a very high risk for CC, and that it was not considered Celiac safe.

I'm assuming that many people who have Celiac can have an incalculably small amount without problems and others can't.

She brought him one without topping, but we have since been back and been told they cannot do that ever again because of Trademark obligations. They cannot even put it on the side...it HAS to be prepared together.

JK Rowlings calls the shots on all of the trademarks such as Butterbeer. To fulfill the contract, things must be made to specifications.

So, my son feels left out, once again. Thanks Universal. Believe me, we took it all the way up the chain in guest services, they did NOT care. Only that they performed their contractually obligated duty the way the paper says to. They did not care one iota about my son. I have never ever felt so bad for him as I did today.

I am sorry that your son feels left out. Whenever a person has dietary restrictions or physical restrictions, I am sure it is difficult to deal with on a day-by-day basis. I have a child with severe asthma and it meant he did miss out on many things. It is sad but also a fact of life for him.

If I had to guess, I am sure that whoever you talked to in Guest Services probably did care more than an iota but they don't have the power to change the recipe.

They also used to sell honey roasted peanuts in vendors around the park which can be life threatening for those with peanut allergies. Those with allergies couldn't avoid the area since the vendors moved around to different locations. I haven't seen those in a couple of years so maybe the complaints were taken seriously. The only way that changes can be made is if you let them know. That doesn't mean that the change will take place immediately but changes do often occur. I really do feel badly for any child who can't eat what everyone else is eating. Life is seldom fair. Give him a big hug and see if there is something in the candy store in the Harry Potter area that he can eat.

 

[autostyles]

The reason it felt as if they did not care is that we had to initiate all conversation with them. Their only response was that it was just not possible, no suggestion of a possible solution. When we asked who we could contact about this we were told no one there had or could get the info we needed and they would have to contact us. We contacted guest services before our initial visit and were assured it was gluten free.While understanding the copyright issue, making such a small adjustment to accomodate people with celiac, lactose intolerance and the like seems simple. I feel terrible when any child who has to miss out on things due to a disability, but when a simple solution is available it should be done. Although as you said " life is seldom fair", I will always fight to make it fair for my child. We were not requesting that they change the venue where the topping is made, although that would solve the problem, simply that it be left off. A more helpful or positive response would have made all the difference considering the ease and number of options to correct this. We are exploring all possible channels to effect change.

As far as the candy store goes, almost all candy related to Harry Potter is a cross contamination risk or has no information listed on the packaging.

 

[damo]

The reason it felt as if they did not care is that we had to initiate all conversation with them. Their only response was that it was just not possible, no suggestion of a possible solution. When we asked who we could contact about this we were told no one there had or could get the info we needed and they would have to contact us. We contacted guest services before our initial visit and were assured it was gluten free.While understanding the copyright issue, making such a small adjustment to accomodate people with celiac, lactose intolerance and the like seems simple. I feel terrible when any child who has to miss out on things due to a disability, but when a simple solution is available it should be done. Although as you said " life is seldom fair", I will always fight to make it fair for my child. We were not requesting that they change the venue where the topping is made, although that would solve the problem, simply that it be left off. A more helpful or positive response would have made all the difference considering the ease and number of options to correct this. We are exploring all possible channels to effect change.

As far as the candy store goes, almost all candy related to Harry Potter is a cross contamination risk or has no information listed on the packaging.

It isn't as easy as you think. When the approval for everything at the WW comes from JK Rowling who can pull the plug if she isn't happy with the way things are run, employees are going to follow her rules to the letter. The Wizarding World is the bread and butter for Universal right now. If you want to affect change, you may need to contact her.

 

[autostyles]

I'm assuming that many people who have Celiac can have an incalculably small amount without problems and others can't.

I'm not sure why this matters here--but since when one searches for gfree butterbeer, this is one of the top finds I feel compelled to reply. While some may "feel" they can tolerate it because they don't get the same feeling--stomach pain, when they eat food with gluten, they all reap the same intestinal damage. So, while you may hear that, the fact is that damage occurs to the small intestine to anyone with this disease and if that's a risk they are ok with, then that is their decision. While it's not the norm, you can actually have Celiac Disease and never have any symptoms. In my son's case, he know's when he's had something he shouldn't have, small amount or not, and for that I am thankful--because he tells me he never wants to feel that way again. If he didn't feel it, he might not care. Intestinal cancer can be the end result of not heeding the diet--for those that care to know. That is why we need to know what is in the foods we eat/drinks we drink.

JK Rowlings calls the shots on all of the trademarks such as Butterbeer. To fulfill the contract, things must be made to specifications.

She is a mother herself, and I would be willing to bet she has common sense enough to know this is an easy fix. People are acting like she is an ogre. This is an easy fix, seriously. If your child with asthma could enjoy something with such an easy fix, you would most certainly pull for it, would you not? Especially if it was something you hoped to return to and enjoy again--really. There is no risk to anyone else here. This is a reasonable request and Universal is acting like they are afraid to ask.

I am sorry that your son feels left out. Whenever a person has dietary restrictions or physical restrictions, I am sure it is difficult to deal with on a day-by-day basis. I have a child with severe asthma and it meant he did miss out on many things. It is sad but also a fact of life for him.

Not having a cherry on top of a sundae, not having the whipped topping on butter beer. This is no comparison to a child with asthma. This is an easy fix. Just don't put it on. Everyone is happy. It hurts no one, saves the company money on topping. It's a win-win. This would also please people with lactose intolerance--and in turn more money spent in the park.

 

[Tink2Day]

Stop and think about this.
There are millions of people with life threatening illnesses and allergies.
Should everyone be accommodated? Where does it stop?

Also, it's a BRANDED product, without one element it may infringe on another brand.

You say your son is 12? There are children far younger dealing with as much or more disappointment and/or difficult situations in their lives.
It's part of life and I realized in my own situation from a very young age that you can either play the hand you're dealt or be miserable.

I realize you want what's best for your son and want him to have everything he wants, we all do for our children, but life just doesn't always play out like we want it to and this isn't helping him IMHO.

 

[HLAuburn]

I know the exact formula for Butterbeer seems to be a secret, but my DD is allergic to eggs, so I asked when I ordered some. The guy told me it was "non-dairy and vegan" - is that true??

 

[damo]

I know the exact formula for Butterbeer seems to be a secret, but my DD is allergic to eggs, so I asked when I ordered some. The guy told me it was "non-dairy and vegan" - is that true??

I've heard several times that it is non-dairy but I have no idea if it is vegan.

 

[bumbershoot]

She is a mother herself, and I would be willing to bet she has common sense enough to know this is an easy fix.

NO, she doesn't seem to have any common sense. She demonizes soda (as it should be), but then includes the same basic ingredients from soda into almost all of the candy in the candy store (corn syrup based ingredients). If she CARED, she would have found a better way to make those candies. She doesn't seem to know that many have extreme reactions to chemical colorings as well. So the only thing MY son could have from the candy store was the chocolate frog, and it's just junk chocolate. If she CARED, she would have made better chocolate for that very expensive item.


But even if it were an easy fix...how do we contact her? How does ANYONE at Universal, that we can get to, contact her? She doesn't seem to have common sense in her responses to errors in her books, and I doubt she's going to take a part in changing recipes...



FWIW, the actual butterbeer ingredients are on a card at the carts. I totally forgot to ask for the topping ingredients, but they might have them there, too. (for those who specifically don't have to worry about cross-contamination, that is)

 

[autostyles]

Stop and think about this.
There are millions of people with life threatening illnesses and allergies.
Should everyone be accommodated? Where does it stop?

Also, it's a BRANDED product, without one element it may infringe on another brand.

You say your son is 12? There are children far younger dealing with as much or more disappointment and/or difficult situations in their lives.
It's part of life and I realized in my own situation from a very young age that you can either play the hand you're dealt or be miserable.

I realize you want what's best for your son and want him to have everything he wants, we all do for our children, but life just doesn't always play out like we want it to and this isn't helping him IMHO.

I think the better question is where does it start. A defeatest attitude accomplishes nothing. After asking a simple question to the right person a national food chain now has dedicated slicers in most of their delis to elimainate cross contamination of gluten free products and those without are now instructed to clean them upon request. They saw the financial benefit to making this accessible to all. No one is asking for a huge change here. If a kid thats allergic to pickles wants a hamburger in the park they should just leave off the pickles, its common sense. If a handicapped child is capable of riding a ride but needs help getting on, someone should help them get on. Universal could make some effort to assist, as of now we are still waiting on a reply. As far as whats helping my son, teaching him to try to affect change and not just stand by and complain will prepare him for a much richer life.

 

[autostyles]

As far as me wanting my child to have everything he wants, thats a bit of a dig. We strive to teach our children responsibility but I would like him to at least have some things sometimes. This is what we consider dealing with the hand we were dealt.

 

[Tink2Day]

I don't see that complaining about this to people on a board is affecting change.
It wasn't a dig because I said we ALL want everything possible for our kids.
If you wish to take issue with THAT too, well......
As far as saying you want your son to have SOME things? Well he had butterbeer once that was safe for him, he was apparently on a trip that 90% of kids will never experience.

Your comparisons are invalid because we may not be speaking of removing something innocuous here. As I said it may be a brand or patent issue.

But carry on if you feel that it's making any headway with a group of anonymous people who cannot change it.
To ME at least, these boards are an avenue to share experiences of vacations of a lifetime with people and share the fun and joy not constantly letting one negative thing wipe out any good, so that's what I plan to do.

 

[Metro West]

Please remember to show kindness and respect to fellow posters...even if they don't agree with you.

 

[Schmeck]

I think the better question is where does it start. A defeatest attitude accomplishes nothing. After asking a simple question to the right person a national food chain now has dedicated slicers in most of their delis to elimainate cross contamination of gluten free products and those without are now instructed to clean them upon request. They saw the financial benefit to making this accessible to all. No one is asking for a huge change here. If a kid thats allergic to pickles wants a hamburger in the park they should just leave off the pickles, its common sense. If a handicapped child is capable of riding a ride but needs help getting on, someone should help them get on. Universal could make some effort to assist, as of now we are still waiting on a reply. As far as whats helping my son, teaching him to try to affect change and not just stand by and complain will prepare him for a much richer life.

The part I changed to red is a huge liability issue, and I don't think that will ever be changed - employees are instructed that they are not allowed to assist in transfers, as they are not trained to do so. Training them would cost a lot of money. Here it costs over a thousand dollars to take a multi-day beginning health aide course, which does not include all the possible ways to transfer patients, and does not take into account the complexity of various ride vehicles that you wouldn't find in a residential setting.