<<Disclaimer: Verify this information before applying it to your situation.>>
========================= Hidden Gluten
Whenever a product or ingredient is identified as a possible source of gluten-
contamination it will be highlighted in this section. Some products contain a
minute amount of gluten and may not have a noticeable physical affect, but may
cause internal damage. NO GLUTEN is the ActionLine's goal. Medical research
has established one standard for damage to the gut, but it is still unknown
how much gluten or if repeated exposure to small amounts of gluten will
increase a celiacs' chance of certain cancers or cause subtle changes, such as
lassitude and depression.
Nebulous terms must be researched until a satisfactory answer is obtained that
the item is free of any toxic protein. When those terms are found on a label,
we must routinely verify that it has not changed. If adequate information is
obtained and fellow celiacs do not report any adverse reactions, those
products should not be left out of your diet. Some celiacs limit labels with
nebulous terms to only a few products, in order to reduce the amount of time
spent on routine verification. When in doubt leave it out, is the best course
of action.
Gluten can be added to a product as an ingredient, through cross
contamination, or as a result of the manufacturing process. When all gluten
is kept out of a celiac's diet, the best quality of life is enjoyed. Each
person must determine their preferred life style and how careful they will be
in avoiding hidden toxic proteins.
1. Gluten in Non-Baked Items: Midwest Grain Products published a list of
items that can contain wheat gluten. This promotion shows where the company
is trying to open or enlarge its market in some food or non-food products. It
is a reminder that gluten may be added to items other than the standard
nebulous ingredients. The items are:
Seafood Acquaculture Synthetic Cheese Meat-Like Sausage
Analogs Diet Pharmaceutical Meat-Like Balls and
Imitation Sausage Tablets Hamburger
Cheese Analog
Cigarette Meringue Glue Edible Films and
Filter Restructured Coatings
Chewing Gum Beef Steaks Crab Analog
2. Gluten Coatings: This is not a current problem in the US. Midwest Grain
Products is advertising the benefits of using a wheat gluten coating for
cheese. The process is not used by any US companies. The cheese industry
currently does not desire to make this change in product coatings.
In 1972, a process was patented for producing edible and odor-free
gluten films and coatings which can be used to wrap, package or encase
cheese, sandwiches, and hors d'oeuvres. . . recently, there has been a
revival of interest in Wheat Gluten (WG) films and coating to extend
shelf-life of foods by offerings a selective barrier against the
transmission of gases (vapors), moisture, and solutes while offering
mechanical protection. (x)
3. Liver: In Canada, there are reports of butcher shops using starches and
flours (wheat) to improve the handling ability of liver.
4. Kellogg's Nutri-Grain (Almonds Raisin) Cereal lists malt flavoring as the
ninth ingredient. It has been reported that the malt contains .00132 barley.
One national celiac group is reported to have stated that this was
inconsequential. Kelloggs does not report the cereal as being GF. The
ActionLine supports a level of zero gluten.
5. Durham wheat is toxic to celiacs. A article printed in the Italian
Journal of Gastroenterology, 1992, vol. 24: pp 297-399 infers that durham
wheat does not produce toxic reactions associated with common wheat bread.
6. Kellogg's Corn Pops in Canada contains gluten (oats). This is not a
problem in the US.
7. Pebbles are no longer recommended by POST, (800) 431-POST, for celiac
because of possible changes in ingredients by the suppliers.
8. Log Cabin Light: Kraft does not recommend the light pancake syrup for
celiacs. Some of the ingredient information is proprietary to their
suppliers.
9. Kraft Miracle Whip is not recommended for celiacs by the company. They
report that multiple grains can be used for the source of the vinegar. Thanks
to the Central NJ Group for this information.
10. Biscotti Amaretti from DiCamillo Baking Co., 811 Linwood Ave. Niagara
Falls, NY 14035, 800-634-4363, appears to be GF from the ingredients and in
fact may be. For example, the listed Almond Paste is composed of apricot
kernels, sugar, and egg whites. The concern is a possibility of cross
contamination that each celiac must individually address. The cookies are
cooked in the same bakery where the Italian Wheat Bread is baked.
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