Ahavah Farm, LLC recently (updates in post) shared a post via their Facebook page about controlling grasshoppers with flour.
When a concerned customer with Celiac Disease expressed concerns about the safety of their products for those with allergies or Celiac Disease, this is the response provided by Ahavah Farm, LLC:
"It does not get absorbed by plants... Celiac Disease Foundation: "Gluten is a group of proteins found in wheat and other grains that can cause adverse health effects in individuals with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity. Gluten is not absorbed by plants when flour is used for dusting." Celiac Disease Foundation. National Celiac Association: "Cross-contact with gluten-containing substances can occur during food preparation and handling, but gluten is not absorbed by plants through surface application of flour or other gluten-containing products." National Celiac Association. University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources: "Gluten from wheat flour dusting used in pest control remains on the surface of plants and is not absorbed into plant tissues. Washing produce thoroughly removes any surface residues." UC ANR."
These statements can not be verified by any online source. When Ahavah Farm, LLC was questioned on the validity of the statements, several people were blocked by the business page and the post was then removed.
Click Here to See the Full Thread that has since been removed
Many members of the Celiac community expressed concern for this practice and it's safety for those with gluten sensitivities, Celiac Disease, or a wheat allergy. The company dismissed these concerns.
To be clear, Ahavah Farm, LLC is not claiming to be a gluten free business. However, making statements that quote reputable organizations but can not be verified can affect others with life-threatening allergies, Celiac Disease & more.
If you would like to email Ahavah Farm, LLC, you can do so at
Edit To Add:
I have emailed them to ask them to cite their sources, have not heard back yet. Ahavah Farm, LLC put out a statement on their website, claiming the reason the removed the post was because of comments made by the gluten free community "Personal attacks, insults, and nasty, selfish, rude comments are never ok. This caused me to remove the post."
As you can see from my screenshot of their post with comments, no one was rude or called any names.
Additional Edit 7/2/24:
National Celiac Association has release this statement
It seems after the attacks on the Celiac community, today ONE single person did respond with unkind words. They were scolded for doing so in the community and do not reflect the sentiments of others. Everyone only wants transparency. False statements are just the opposite.
Additional Edit 7/2/24: Late in the evening finally got a response from Ahavah Farm, LLC, still no sources cited.
I for one will NOT be shopping there.
An excerpt from the email exchange:
I spoke with Chris Rich directly and he had this to say about the above quote:
"That is NOT, not a true statement at all. That's flabbergasting to me that he would quote me like that. It is not safe. Blatantly false. In addition to cross contact risks for celiac disease, we can’t condone this practice of intentionally contaminating foods intended for public consumption with a top allergen without communicating that risk."
Click here to view the full email thread with Ahavah Farm, LLC. The exchange begins at the bottom and reads up.
Additional Edit 7/3/24:
Ahavah Farm, LLC continues to remove comments on their Facebook page asking for transparency regarding major food allergens. Here is one of many that have been removed...
Additional Edit 7/3/24:
Ahavah Farm, LLC made a social media post with a clear disclaimer today, which we can all appreciate.
One customer, Anastasia S., the a mother of a child with a severe wheat allergy that even touching it will result in an anaphylactic shock, will not be buying from Ahavah Farms. When Anastasia was asked about the suggestion to just 'wash' the produce, she replied "How do homes like ours even bring it in the house?? It's just crazy to me. They gonna hurt someone. Cost a child's life."
Then the Farmer's wife proceeded to leave comments on my personal facebook page...
No one asked them to put anything at risk. Ahavah Farm, LLC is free to use whatever methods they need to protect their crops. The Celiac community only asks that they clearly label top food allergens and to not make up statements from reputable organizations that the Celiac community all trust with our health.
After the exchanges and removal of polite comments, consumers can decide how transparent they are for themselves.
Additional Edit 7/4/24:
After discovering that Ahavah Farm, LLC is continuing to make false statements on their website,
Chris Rich, CEO of National Celiac Association released this special statement on July 4th:
So we must emphasize the importance of being diligent with your own health choices & trusted food sources.
