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

Thank you for the prompt responses. It has enlightened me very much...thanks..

1. Basic summary is . generally No Maltodextrin does not contain gluten. However it is possible some pharmaceutical products may use wheatstarch in deriving the maltodextrin best confirmation is to check with pharmaceutical companies. Best most complete answer to the actual derivation of maltodextrin is at the end of the summary. 

2. Some people have had "reactions" to products that have had maltodextrin in them. Mainly sweeteners. 

3. The U.S. seems at this stage (via FDA) to guarantee no use of wheat products in the formation of maltodextrin, however other countries have not really specified this.

Final summary would be.....If you are very sensitive to gluten for peace of mind check with the companies that use it for how they derived the maltodextrin (ie usually from corn/rice startch) . 


Maltodextrin is prepared as a white powder or concentrated solution by
partial hydrolysis of corn starch or potato starch with safe and
suitable acids and enzymes. (1) Maltodextrin, when listed on food sold
in the USA, must be (per FDA regulation) made from corn or potato. This
rule does NOT apply to vitamin or mineral supplements and medications.
(2) Donald Kasarda Ph.D., a research chemist specializing on grain
proteins, of the United States Department of Agriculture, found that all
maltodextrins in the USA are made from corn starch, using enzymes that
are NOT derived from wheat, rye, barley, or oats. On that basis he
believes that celiacs need not be too concerned about maltodextrins,
though he cautions that there is no guarantee that a manufacturer won't
change their process to use wheat starch or a gluten-based enzyme in the
future. (3) - May 1997 Sprue-Nik News
1. Federal Register (4-1-96) 21 CFR. Ch.1, Section 184.1444 
2."Additives Alert", an information sheet from the Greater Philadelphia
Celiac Support Group, updated early in 1997. This specific information
comes from Nancy Patin Falini, the dietitian advisor for the group and a
speaker at a national celiac conferences in the past few years.
3. From the CELLIAC Listserv archives, on the Internet, Donald D.
Kasarda, posted November 6, 1996.

* Visit the Celiac Web Page at www.enabling.org/ia/celiac/index.html *