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

A recent post to this list reported that "I found Tums on the internet--
they are not gf.".

Actually, the Tums web site says:

"Does TUMSR contain gluten?

Although we do not use gluten as a filler in TUMSR, there may be trace
amounts of gluten in the tablets via ingredients that are supplied by
outside vendors."

There is a very big difference between what GlaxoSmithKline is saying on
their web site and the recent poster's interpretation. Nowhere in GSK's
statement do they say that Tums contain gluten. 

Examination of Tums ingredients suggests that there is little or no reason
to suspect that there would be significant contamination, and GSK's
statement, like many other similar statements we see, may just be defensive.


That is an opinion. An opinion is not a fact but, as a research scientist, I
think it is a reasonable opinion based on Tums ingredient list. Stating that
a product is not gluten-free based on an ambiguous statement like "there may
be trace amounts of gluten" is a stretch and may unnecessarily convince
people to avoid products that are in fact useful and safe to consume. 

In fact, it is impossible to say that any food or product is gluten-free.
There is no analytical technique that can say that there is zero gluten in a
sample. The best detection limits I have seen reported range from 2 to 20
parts per million. Not zero. The European standard for gluten-free is
reported to be 200* ppm and there is no U.S. standard. 

In an article titled "Rationale for Gluten-Free Foods" on CSA's web site,
CSA and CCA appear to be arguing for an unattainable standard of zero gluten
in the statement "... the Celiac Sprue Association, USA and (CCA) the
Canadian Celiac Association have continued to strongly recommend a
reconsideration of the proposed 200 ppm of gluten for a gluten-free food and
instead to represent gluten-free as containing no wheat, rye, barley, oats,
or triticale or parts thereof." 

http://www.csaceliacs.org/library/rationalgffood.php

I would encourage anyone specifically concerned about Tums to call GSK at
1-800-897-7535 to question them about their statement on gluten. The more
they hear from us, the more likely they are to be responsive to our needs.
The recent McDonalds fries incident is a good example where the vendor has
responded by getting analyses done to support their position.

Joel

Note: I have no financial interest in GlaxoSmithKline.

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