<<Disclaimer: Verify this information before applying it to your situation.>>

The verdict is in!  Both maltitol and maltodextrin are gluten free.  In case anyone is interested, the bars I referred to in my original post were the Slim Fast Optima Snack Bars in Crispy Peanut Caramel and Chocolate Mint Crisp.  They have rice and soy crisps in them. 



Here is some info I received from listmates regarding maltitol and maltodextrin:  



Maltitol is a sugar alcohol derived from corn syrup. 

Like sorbitol and the other sugar alcohols, it isn't metabolized in the same way as ordinary sugar, and is therefore used in many commiercial foods for people with diabetes. It can give you gas & diarrhea. See http://lowcarbdiets.about.com/od/whattoeat/a/sugaralcohols.htm and http://lowcarbdiets.about.com/od/nutrition/a/maltitol.htm> for reasons you might want to avoid products that contain them.



Shelly Case says in her book: "Although maltodextrin may be derived from wheat, it is highly processed and purified (significantly more than modified food starches) and rendered gluten free."  Note: FDA also permits the use of other starches including wheat.  For Example, if wheat is used it must be labeled "wheat maltodextrin."

Page 54 of Gluten-Free Diet



Maltodextrin is a product of hydrolysis of various starches such as corn, potato and rice.  In North America, maltodextrins are almost always derived from corn and therefore, are gluten-free.  However rarely, maltodextrin may be derived from wheat.  Using the most sensitive, scientifically validated R5 Elisa tests, no gluten was detected in wheat-based maltodexrin.
(Canadian Celiac Association Pocket Dictionary)
 

Also, regarding Slim Fast products:



In June 2007 someone posted a response they received from Slim Fast:
"The Slim Fast Easy to Digest is the only gluten free product we have at this time."

From 2006 archives:
"Our ready to drink shakes and some of our snack bars may be gluten-
free because they do not contain sources of gluten. However, because 
the ingredients we purchase could potentially be cross-contaminated 
with wheat or another common ingredient, we cannot guarantee our 
products are gluten-free."



Thanks to everyone who responded!  

 

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