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Thanks for your replies. I mainly want to know because a couple of my (old) favorite hot chocolates have this in them. I will call these companies when I have a chance to see how they classify their product. The thing that made me think about it was after reviewing Safeway's list of GF product. They list their hot chocolate on it, but it contains this ingredient. 

Here are the responses anyway: 





I'm not sure why it's on the list either, except it's a 
dairy product, a food additive, and has msg in it, which although we 
should probably all try to avoid, is in a lot of foods. Sodium caseinate 
in so many foods, I don't know how we can be expected to totally avoid it.
I'll be interested in your other replies.

 

 

it doesn't have gluten in it, for people who are allergic to milk, that is casein, a protein of milk. You can have it if you are not intolerant of casein.

 

Sodium Caseinate is a protein in animal milk. The word 'casein" appears
at the beginning of the word, and so, if there is any allergy to casein 
present, it would be best to avoid it at all costs.

See how it is used by reading about it  This link is from the Internet:
  http://www.casein-hualing.com/lrsn_1.htm



Caseinate is from milk.

 If I read celiac.com correctly, Sodium Caseinate can or does contain
MSG.  And MSG can contain gluten.  I guess MSG made in the US is usually
safe, but outside the US, can is often made with Wheat or wheat
by-products.  Especially Asian products.

 

Look again at celiac.com and you'll se that the reason it's on the list is 
because it is a form of MSG. However, if you look at MSG you'll also see that 
MSG is frequently GF. Sodium caseinate is yet another ingredient that will 
almost always be GF but might not be sometimes. If you call the hot chocolate 
company and they tell you it's GF, then you don't have to worry. Many, many 
ingredients are this way.

 

 

I do not have an answer to your question but in case you do not know, in
Canada, all Carnation Hot Chocolate products are gluten free. I too had
heard there was a problem with most hot chocolates and it is a strange
coincidence that I just called them, prior to reading your e-mail.

*Support summarization of posts, reply to the SENDER not the Celiac List*