<<Disclaimer: Verify this information before applying it to your situation.>>
Regarding the post by Graeme <[log in to unmask]> at
Wed, 9 May 2001 17:37:12 +1200
Titled: "Gluten free" bread mix contained gluten.
It appears that New Zeland's courts have decided that products that
contain Codex wheat starch cannot be labeled gluten-free in New Zeland.
It is obviously within their rights to decide such things, and it is
even more interesting because New Zeland is also a member of the Codex
Alimentarius: http://www.codexalimentarius.net/CONTACT/new_list.HTM
As has already been mentioned, Codex wheat starch does contain trace
amounts of gluten which must total less than 200 ppm. I believe that
Odlums currently has a level of 56 ppm or less, so if falls well below
the maximum accepted level. The real issue, however, is whether or not
Codex wheat starch is safe for people with celiac disease, which,
according to the post, it does not appear the New Zeland court addressed.
I believe that Codex wheat starch is safe for all but a very
small minority of people who have celiac disease, but is not
safe for those with wheat allergy.
>SCOTT WROTE:
>
>Correct me if I am wrong as I am going from memory, but didn't that study
>deal with non-Codex wheat starch? If so, it obviously has not bearing on
>this issue.
DON WISS WROTE:
All the CCA newsletter had was: "As evidence, Dr. Seidman referred to a
study of 25 adults who had never ingested wheat starch. The study
introduced wheat starch into their diet. Half of the group were forced to
remove themselves from the study due to adverse symptoms."
That study appears to be similar to this one:
Chartrand LJ; Russo PA; Duhaime AG; Seidman EG. Wheat starch intolerance
in patients with celiac disease. J Am Diet Assoc, 97(6):612-8 1997 Ju.n
SCOTT ADAMS RESPONDS:
Again, the studies you have posted do not appear to deal with Codex
Alimentarius wheat starch, which I thought was what this whole
discusstion was about...no?
DON WISS WROTE:
But all, except one of them, are from after you started carrying this
product at your site. The one from before is this one, which you posted no
abstract for. How do you know what it is about?
SCOTT ADAMS RESPONDS:
There were earlier studies that were done which helped me make my
decision, along with information supplied by doctors and support groups
in Europe regarding the safety of Codex wheat starch, and the fact that
it was used safely by hudreds of thousands (if not millions) of celiacs
for about 20 years prior to my selling it. The fact that even more
studies have been done since my decision to include Odlums on The Gluten-
Free Mall simply reinforces my position that most celiacs can eat it safely.
Don, please let me and the List know if you propose outlawing Codex
wheat starch in the USA, and perhaps the rest of the world, or exactly
what your position is on the issue, as I feel I have clearly expressed
mine (namely that people ought to have freedom of choice, and good
information to base their choices upon), but do not feel I understand
your position.
Last comment: As evidenced by the new proposals to the Codex, naturally
gluten-free products can contain levels of gluten that approach that of
Codex wheat starch, and, in my opinion, the Codex Alimentarius is the
best thing we have in the world to protect consumer safety on an
international level, including people with celiac disease and other allergies.
Scott Adams
www.Celiac.com
|
