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Comment from Don Kasarda, Albany, CA
 
In response to past requests for information on mono-and digylcerides,
although I didn't think there should be any concern about them, I had
contacted a knowledgeable industry scientist for his opinion on whether
these food additives might contain gluten or might be added to products with
a gluten-containing carrier, such as wheat flour.  I cannot guarantee the
accuracy of his comments, but he is someone I have known for many years and
whom I respect.  On that basis, I provide his opinion.  He felt that mono-
and diglycerides are synthetic materials that are supplied in quite pure
form to the food industry and that there is no reason he could think of why
commercial users of these products would incorporate them with a flour or
gluten containing carrier in conjunction with adding these products to foods
that do not otherwise  contain harmful grain components.  On this basis,
there does not seem to be any need for concern about mono- and diglycerides.
Obviously, there are a great many users of mono- and diglycerides and
someone, somewhere could mix them with some wheat flour (just as an example)
before adding them to a product.  This could be said, however, of any and
every food additive or component and doesn't seem to me to be the basis for
reasonable concern.  Each of you should, of course, to make your own
judgement in the matter.