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

After months of investigating, phone calls, letters, and posts to the net I
have a final (?) answer from Bayer (parent co. of Sterling...maker of Dairy
Ease). First let me say that they have been most cooperative and forthcoming
in their response to the various intricate questions about ingredients.  Not
just is it gluten free? I quite from the letter received a half-hour ago.
"Further to our discussion of June 12th, I have received a response to your
inquiry regarding gluten in DAIRY EASE.

We posed this question to our enzyme supplier and just recently received
their response.  They indicated that based upon their knowledge of the
production process of the fungal lactase, the probability of the purified
lactase powder containing gluten is very low.  However, they were unable to
say with 100% certainty that no gluten is contained in the lactase because
the microorganism that produces the crude lactase enzyme uses WHEAT BRAN
(emphasis is mine) as the growth media in additioin to other non gluten
containing nutrients. They concluded that the purified lactase is not likely
to contain gluten bases upon the process of purification ofthe crude lactase
into final purified form.  This process involves the estensive purification
using activated granular carbon and passage through ion exchange columns to
remove impurities.

I (Dairy Ease) have taken the liberty to pose this question to other
marketers of lactase enzyme (i.e.:  Lactaid). Their response is similar to
the one I (dairy ease) have provided. Please accept the enclosed in
appreciation for your patience as we tracked down this information.
    ............"

(signed) Marylou F. Ulincy, Manager, Consumer Relations, Bayer  (1 800
331-4536).

I have sent a copy of this post to Don Kassarda, Jo Murray, and Mike Jones
for the following reasons.. We need professional help to interpret this
information to see if those of us who are lactose intolerant must stop using
these products or are they OK/  I think they are not.  But we desperately
need something because completely giving up milk products would do tremendous
damage to our ability to get certain ingredients in our diet.
Don't anyone do anything drastic until we find out and remember that this
company has been very helpful in trying to find a solution to our problem.
After I hear from Mike Jones I would like to take a poll on how many of us
need lactase pills, how many celiacs there are in the US, diagnosed and
undiagnosed, what kind of power we have to ask the companies to find another
means to grow the culture, etc etc.
HELP !
Taylor Cushmore        [log in to unmask]  : 914 941-7118