By Jeanne Yacoubou, MS

Customer service representatives are limited by what resources they have available to them. They often say too much without having proper documentation or authority to make certain statements. They often become flustered when a caller is too persistent with a line of questioning. Even supervisors of the call centers or senior staff members make these mistakes. This has happened to me in the case of both small and large companies. Don’t be alarmed or surprised by an experience of conflicting or questionable information. It’s fairly typical.

In one case, the employees’ databases may pull up similar words and that is what they tell you about, though they are different products. They assume incorrectly that they are the same ingredient. Often employees have limited knowledge of what they are answering questions about.

This is why it is always good to write in a question on the website customer contact form and call in. Compare responses. If they’re consistent you have a bit more reason to believe it’s true. If in doubt, resubmit the contact form after rewording the question slightly and call again on another day at a different time. Often it depends on how you ask and re-ask the question to be sure with greater assurance that your inquiry is accurately understood by the listener.

Better Bean Company produces Southwestern Pinto Beans, Uncanny Refried Black Beans, Tuscan White Beans, Cuban Black Beans, Roasted Chipotle Red Beans, Skillet Refried Red Beans, Better Baked Beans, and Three Sisters Chili.

Go to https://betterbeanco.com/vegetarian-journal-readers/
Use code VRGBEANS to get a free sample!

https://www.facebook.com/groups/VRGparentsandkids/ is intended to be a group that offers support for families raising children on vegan diets and for vegan kids. We envision it as a place to get advice about a wide-variety of topics: pregnancy, birthday parties, school lunches, Halloween, non-leather apparel, cruelty-free products, summer camps, and more. Please use it as a place to share your wisdom, seek advice, or just find a sympathetic ear. The goal is to offer support.

Consequently, any profane, defamatory, offensive, or violent language will be removed. Feel free to disagree, but do so respectfully. Hateful or discriminatory comments regarding race, ethnicity, religion, gender, disability, sexual orientation, or political beliefs will not be tolerated. We expect that posts should relate to vegan diets and lifestyles. The Vegetarian Resource Group reserves the right to monitor all content and ban any user who posts in violation of the above rules, any law or regulation, SPAM, or anything otherwise off topic.

Recent discussion topics include:
Vegan treats to hand out at Halloween
Shared video on vegan pregnancy and raising vegan kids
Vegan camps
Plus much more!

Please share this information with any veggie families that you know! Thanks.

By Jeanne Yacoubou, MS

With over 20 locations mostly in Colorado but also in Texas, Virginia, Georgia, and Minnesota, Garbanzo offers several Mediterranean-inspired vegan menu options. See: http://www.eatgarbanzo.com/menu/

The Vegetarian Resource Group first spoke with Joe Chum, Director of Support Services at Garbanzo, in May 2017. We noted a few changes in their website soon after and followed up with Joe between June and October 2017.

Based on our multiple phone discussions and emails, we generated the following list of Garbanzo’s vegan menu options (excluding raw vegetables) according to the website menu scrolling from top to bottom:

Vegan Menu Options at Garbanzo
•pita bread* (white, wheat, gluten-free)
•tortilla* (white)
•falafel
•portobello mushrooms
•original hummus
•seasonal hummus
•tabbouleh salad
•tomato cucumber salad
•seasoned rice
•baba ganoush
•cilantro sauce
•red chili sauce
•Greek vinaigrette*
•tahini sauce
•homemade fries
•homemade chips
*Item contains sugar although information received from this chain differed during the months The VRG was conducting research. In the list above, the latest information obtained during October 2017 is presented. See Q&A below for more information.

According to page 5 of Garbanzo’s allergen sheet the Mediterranean garlic sauce contains egg (mayonnaise) and the Tzatziki sauce contains milk (yogurt). See:
http://www.eatgarbanzo.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/16-2300506_garbanzo_allergen_sheet_04-2016.pdf

In May 2017, Joe told us:
•“The pita bread does not contain milk.”
•“The seasoned rice used to contain chicken broth but it no longer does.”
•“There is no L-cysteine in the pita bread.” (L-cysteine is a dough conditioner that is most often derived from poultry feathers although microbial alternatives exist).
•“The flatbread contains dry milk.”
•“The portobello mushrooms are prepared in their own sauté pan away from meat products.”

Garbanzo’s Grab & Go Menu
Also in May 2017, Joe informed us that the Vegetarian Wrap on the Grab & Go menu (see their allergen sheet given above) “is usually made with the white or whole wheat tortilla and anything can go in it,” stated Joe. [VRG Note: In October 2017, Joe told us that Garbanzo offers only white tortillas.]

Also on the Grab & Go menu are
•Hummus & Veggie Snack Pack
•Greek Vegetarian Salad
[VRG Note: In September 2017, Joe told us this about the Greek Vegetarian Salad: “We no longer offer this item. It was just salad with Greek Vinaigrette dressing.”]

The VRG: Which bread is used for the Mediterranean Wrap?
Garbanzo: Usually tortilla bread is used.

The VRG: Is the flatbread ever used for the Mediterranean Wrap?
Garbanzo: Usually tortilla bread but if the locations use flat bread, sugar is in the flat bread.

The VRG: Are white or whole wheat tortillas available to make the Mediterranean burrito?
Garbanzo: Yes, but it depends on location. In general, only white is available.

Microingredient Questions for Garbanzo
The VRG: Is there any added sugar in the Greek vinaigrette (including sugar in its components)?
Garbanzo: There is sugar in the Greek vinaigrette.

The VRG: Is there any dairy including whey, casein, etc. in the Greek vinaigrette?
Garbanzo: There is no dairy in the Greek vinaigrette.

The VRG: Is there any added sugar in the baklava (including sugar in its components)?
Garbanzo: There is no sugar in the baklava but there is honey.

The VRG: Is there any dairy including whey, casein, etc. in the baklava?
Garbanzo: Yes, there is dairy in the baklava.

The VRG: Is there any added sugar in the tortillas?
Garbanzo: No.

The VRG: Is L-cysteine used as a dough conditioner in the tortillas?
Garbanzo: No.

The VRG: Does the seasonal hummus vary from time to time?
Garbanzo: Yes.

The VRG: If so, could there be dairy such as feta cheese in the seasonal hummus?
Garbanzo: There’s no plan to use feta cheese in our seasonal hummus at the moment. We are very careful on adding dairy to any of our menu items.

The VRG: Does your feta cheese contain rennet, an animal-derived enzyme? If not, what is its enzyme source?
Garbanzo: From our supplier (manufacturer): “Microbial enzymes and an animal lipase are used in the manufacturing of the [feta cheese].”

The VRG: Could there ever be animal ingredients or flavors in the seasonal hummus?
Garbanzo: No. We try to maintain most of our items to be gluten-free or vegan or at least vegetarian.

The VRG: You stated that there was no milk in the pita. Is there whey or any other dairy ingredient?
Garbanzo: There is no dairy in the pita.

The VRG: Is there added sugar in the pita?
Garbanzo: Yes. There has to be sugar to feed the yeast.

The VRG: Is the falafel deep fried in fresh oil away from all meats?
Garbanzo: Yes. We don’t use the fryers for any meat or animal products.

The VRG: Is the baba ganoush an all-vegetable dish?
Garbanzo: Yes, it has only roast eggplant purée, tahini, garlic, and salt.

The VRG: Is your sugar from sugar cane, beet sugar or some combination? [Note: Non-USDA Certified Organic cane sugar may have been processed through cow bone char.]
Garbanzo: Our sugar is from beet.

We followed up in June-October 2017 with these questions and emails.

The VRG: Are the gluten-free pita and the gyro pita all-vegan? No L-cysteine, whey, honey or other animal-derived ingredients in either of them?
Garbanzo: Gyro is not; pita is vegan.

The VRG: Is it true that you now offer the following breads:
•pita
•gluten-free pita
•gyro bread
•flatbread (some locations)
•tortilla (white, whole wheat)
Garbanzo:
•pita Yes
•gluten-free pita Yes
•gyro bread Same as Flatbread below
•flatbread (some locations) Correct
•tortilla (white, whole wheat) White only

The VRG: Which, if any, contains dairy including whey, casein or their derivatives?
Garbanzo: Flatbread

The VRG: Which, if any, contains sugar?
Garbanzo: They all have sugar.

The VRG recommends contacting this chain directly if diners have any additional questions for further clarification. Note that ingredients at all restaurants can change over time and there may be conflicts with what is on the website.

The contents of this posting, our website, and our other publications, including Vegetarian Journal, are not intended to provide personal medical advice. Medical advice should be obtained from a qualified health professional. We often depend on product and ingredient information from company statements. It is impossible to be 100% sure about a statement, info can change, people have different views, and mistakes can be made. Please use your best judgement about whether a product is suitable for you. To be sure, do further research or confirmation on your own.

For information on other restaurant chains, see:
www.vrg.org/fastfoodinfo.php

For information on vegetarian and vegan restaurants throughout the USA and Canada, see:
http://www.vrg.org/restaurant/index.php

Alex Hershaft is one of the few remaining voices who can personally and vividly attest to the experience of the Holocaust. And he is one of the only such voices who can undeniably relate that experience to the plight of farm animals.

Alex has told his dramatic story in front of large crowds in Baltimore, Pittsburgh, New York City and most recently Philadelphia. This will be an opportunity to experience his presentation in Washington D.C.

Tickets include:
•A reception with delicious vegan hors d’oeuvres.
•Alex’s presentation about his moral evolution from Holocaust survivor to farm-animal advocate.

“As a Holocaust survivor with a riveting and inspirational personal story, he adds to that a unique and incredibly powerful perspective and voice on the rights of animals not to be raised for food. I wish everyone could hear the presentation that I did.” — Richard Levin, attendee, “From the Warsaw Ghetto to a Life of Compassion,” May 15, 2015, Baltimore, MD.

Event information:
Wednesday, November 29, 2017 at 6:30 p.m.
Sixth & I, 600 I St. NW, Washington, D.C. 20001
Tickets are $10 in advance and $15 at the door; see:
https://www.givedirect.org/donate/event.php?cid=13438

If you are a Federal government employee, you can support The Vegetarian Resource Group through the Combined Federal Campaign (CFC). Look for us under Health & Medical Research Charities of America.

Please also remember The Vegetarian Resource Group in other workplace fund drives, matching gifts, etc. See http://www.vrg.org/support.htm for other ways you can donate to VRG.

Thanks for your support!

A VRG member wrote in the following:
I can’t find Earth Balance shortening sticks anymore. Here’s the a google image:
https://www.freshbeak.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/e/a/earth-balance-natural-shortening-sticks-15-oz.jpg

They were VERY useful and I haven’t been able to find a comparable shortening for my frosting recipes. Does anyone know of an equivalent product?

Email [email protected] if you know of any vegan shortening sticks available. Thanks!

Are you looking for some alternatives to Turkey this Thanksgiving? Fortunately, there are many options today.

Field Roast offers three choices:
1. Celebration Roast with Traditional Bread Stuffing and Gravy – made with fresh onions, celery, cranberries and butternut squash.
2. Hazelnut Cranberry Roast en Croute – a rich, hazelnut-infused grain meat stuffed with Field Roast sausages, crystallized ginger, cranberries and apples – wrapped in a savory puff pastry. It’s even Toaster Oven friendly!
3. Smokey Forager’s Roast – mushrooms, wild huckleberries, and rice stuffing wrapped in a rich smokey tomato grain meat seasoned with spices.
See: http://fieldroast.com/product-family/roasts-loaves/

Hilary’s is offering an exclusive Holiday Stuffing. It is vegan and gluten-free. The ingredients include a blend of organic millet, leafy greens and hemp seeds together with celery, apple, parsley, sage, rosemary, and thyme
See: http://www.hilaryseatwell.com/products/holiday-stuffing/

Tofurky offers Tofurky Roast and Gravy. The Roast includes stuffing. For details see: http://www.tofurky.com/what-we-make/holiday/feast/

Gardein sells a Savory Stuffed ‘Turkey,’ a Holiday Roast, and Turk’y Cutlet. For more information see: www.gardein.com

Vegetarian Plus offers a Vegan Whole Turk’y with Gravy and Stuffing. For details see: http://vegetarian-plus.com/product/all-natural-vegan-whole-turkey/

The Vegetarian Resource Group is hosting our 36th Annual Pre-Thanksgiving Vegan Potluck Dinner on Sunday, November 19th, 2017 at 5 PM. The event is taking place at:

North Baltimore Mennonite Church
4615 Roland Avenue
Baltimore MD 21210

We will be showing appreciation for turkeys by not eating them! Come join us for a variety of festive, delicious vegan dishes! Please bring a vegan dish – free of meat, fish, poultry, dairy, eggs, honey, or any other animal by-products – that serves 4 per adult attending.

Adult admission is $4 and children eat free!

Also, you may want to bring a vegan canned good for the church that will be used for feeding the hungry.

We hope to see you there!

For information, see:
VRG’s Pre-Thanksgiving Vegan Potluck

Whether you’re new to the veggie life-style or have been vegan for 20+ years, you’ll enjoy The Vegetarian Resource Group Online Quiz Game. You simply choose your level (Easy, Medium, or Hard) and your category of interest (environment, ethics, famous vegetarians, food, health or nutrition, or potluck – a mixture of all these topics). Then click play.

To see the quiz game, go to:
http://www.vrg.org/game/