<<Disclaimer: Verify this information before applying it to your situation.>>
Miscellaneous Notes:
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Dextrin/Maltodextrin Update: In our last newsletter we wrote, "Note
that maltodextrins and dextrins can come from a gluten source, so
avoid using them unless the source is known to be GF." However, it
appears that these two ingredients should be discussed separately.
Dextrin is an incompletely hydrolyzed starch. It is prepared by dry
heating corn, waxy maize, waxy milo, potato, arrowroot, WHEAT, rice,
tapioca, or sago starches, or by dry heating the starches after: (1)
Treatment with safe and suitable alkalis, acids, or pH control agents
and (2) drying the acid or alkali treated starch.<1> Therefore, unless
you know the source, you must avoid dextrin.
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.<2> 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.<3>
Also, Donald Kasarda Ph.D., a research chemist specializing on grain
proteins, of the United States Department of Agriculture, has been in
contact with the companies that manufacture maltodextrins. He 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.<4>
[Thank you to Carolyn Sullivan for researching this issue and
providing the information and references.-editor]
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Regarding prescriptions: If you call the pharmaceutical house and
find out that their product is GF, make sure that the prescription is
filled from the same source. Be aware if you are getting a generic
equivalent. To ensure that you don't get a generic equivalent, have
your doctor write D.A.W. (dispense as written) on the prescription.
--Regina Kukielka
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Hospitals give generic medications. You might have to convince them
to give you the medication from the correct source, even with
something like non-prescription pain medication.--Regina Kukielka
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Did You Notice? TCCSSG got a great write-up in the _Detroit News_
recently. A two-page article appeared in the "Accent" section of the
April 14th, 1997 edition of the paper. The article was based on
interviews conducted with group members at our March meeting. It was
well-written and accurate, just the sort of thing you really hope to
get into the mainstream press! For those of you with internet access,
you can find the article at the following web page:
http://www.detnews.com/1997/accent/9704/14/index.htm
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