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

Ron Hoggan from Calgary, Alberta, Canada asked the following question
which I consider worthy of a reply via the List :

> I have been told that the British Coeliac Society recommends against
> wheat starch. Could you tell me if that is accurate and when they
> changed?  I know that it was acceptable to them at one point.
> Do you know why they changed their position on it?

I have been a member of the UK Coeliac Society for almost one year and
have only received a member's information. By this I mean that I have
received the information destined for a Coeliac and not that for a
doctor, researcher, specialist or official of the Society.

During that period, I have seen nothing to indicate a recommendation FOR
or AGAINST wheat starch.

Within the Bi-annual magazine published by the Society, "The Crossed
Grain", there are advertisements by manufacturers of products using
non-grain flours AND those who use both non-grain and wheat-starch based
flours (NOTE I use these terms for explanation only). There are also
disclaimers which state that the Society does not endorse any
advertisers products.

During the few Coeliac meetings I have attended, it has been made clear
that there is equal support given to those who can tolerate the
"de-glutenized" wheat starch and those who cannot. Consideration is also
made for those, like myself, who have additional allergy problems such
as my reaction to eggs ...  I become VIOLENT!!!  :-)  ).

NOTE : this message is my personal opinion of the information I have
received and is not to be taken as the official view of the UK Coeliac
Society.

Ron ... I hope this answers your questions and that you understand my
desire to clarify this to the List.

Graham KENT
An English Coeliac