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

I received quite a few e-mails in response to the question about the changes
in Benefiber ingredients.  One of our local support group members called for
my advice, as she does not have access to a computer.  It said maltodextrin
(wheat) on the label, and down below showed GF.  She wanted further
verification about the safety of this product.

There were about 15 responses.  I am sharing some of the messages and they
cover all the types of comments made.  There were also a few alternatives
mentioned.  Konsyl is one, and "Whole Foods Blonde Physillum powder at 1/4
of the cost."  Citrucel was also mentioned.
*****************
We anticipate the FDA definition soon. It is most likely going to be based
on a similar number for GF. The Codex is looking to redefine GF as possibly
20ppm for naturally GF and 200 ppm for rendered GF.

******************
The new packages of Benefiber say wheat and they are 10 ppm wheat. That is
considered by the FDA gluten free. I would not take it. I take Benefiber and
they still have the old ones with expiration dates to 2009 so I bought an
extra one with no sugar and the big size that IS gluten free.  I bought it
in Walmart and they have a good supply in my area. After they sell these,
probably no more will come in.
******************
From Clan Thompson....
When we called Novartis in January, 2006 to check Benefiber, they told us
the powder was gluten free, but not the tablets.
******************
I just spoke with a representive of benefiber - she said that they

are recording customer responses to their change in ingredients (from

guar gum to wheat dextrin) and that the more people who call or write

about this concern, the more likely they will use the information.

Go to www.benefiber.com for the phone number.

I also learned that benefiber with guar gum (the gf version) will

continue to be made in the "medical nutrition" dept for those who

require tube feedings...Also, if they will continue

to make both versions, perhaps with enough consumer request/

complaint, both will remain available on store shelves.

Anyway, call and write to benefiber if this matters to you or your

loved ones.

**********

The benefiber ingredients changed without notice this summer.

The ingredient change was economics, it got too expensive to make out of
just guar gum. The hospitals, allergy doctors no one was told in advance.

I have been in contact with the company at several levels  getting different
information, on both the commercial home health numbers and the OTC numbers
repeatedly. The company was unaware that wheat allergy and celiac co-existed
in anyone. The company also was unaware that any gluten was to much. I am
celiac and wheat allergic. The company felt a little wont hurt.... The
company did not feel the customers would quit using the product.

A prime concern of mine was the continued advertisement of gluten free
status by distributors. Especially when the items are delivered with the new
label but ordered as safe. The company would not address this at all.

*******************
Benefiber by Novartis Consumer Health, Parsippany, NJ.

www.benefiber.com

<http://www.benefiber.com/> ; 1-800-452-0051.

A brand new formulation (with red banner marking "new dosage") now

is NOT completely gluten free; it contains wheat dextrin, but in an amount

less than 10 ppm. The threshold for gluten in a product will probably be

determined to be 20 ppm. this month by the FDA. I warned Benefiber rep

that when celiacs learn of some gluten, they will probably not buy this

product, even though the FDA thinks this is a safe amount. The Capsules and

caplets are NOT gluten free. The status of the powder with calcium has not
been

determined.

***************

I liked this response......
The law also requires that the FDA establish a single definition of gluten
free,

which it is in the process of doing. Until then, anybody in the US can

label anything gluten free and mean whatever they want to mean. Rather

like this quote from in Alice in Wonderland: "'When I use a word,'

Humpty Dumpty said in rather a scornful tone, 'it means just what I

choose it to mean - neither more nor less.'" So at the moment in

the US, "gluten free" means: we don't add anything to our food that

contains gluten but it is made in a fog of wheat flour, to we don't add

gluten-containing ingredients and we test to make sure there is no

cross contamination,... to it contains less than 200 ppm (which is what

the "gluten free" label means in Europe), To Benefiber's corporate

decision that less than 10 ppm means that a product is gluten free, to

anything at all.

Thanks for taking the time to  share your opinions and suggestions.

Anne Barfield

San Antonio, Texas
www.chickenparadise.com
210 340-0648








*Please provide references to back up claims of a product being GF or not GF*
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