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

I just received this information that others may find interesting:
       +++
Isolating sucrose from either sugar cane or sugar beets is simply
separation of the naturally occurring sucrose from the surrounding plant
material.  Sugar is not chemically manipulated or bleached.  Sugar is
99.9% pure sucrose the other 1% is water.  Sugar is refined in dedicated
plants and molasses is the plant material from sugar cane which is still
heavily laden with sucrose.  It would almost be impossible for if not
impossible for sugar or brown sugar to contain gluten.

I hope this information is helpful.

Cheryl
Director of Public Policy and Education
The Sugar Association, Inc.
202-785-1122 X18
202-785-5019 Fax

Sugar: All Natural ... 15 Calories Per Teaspoon!

-----Original Message-----
From: Ellen Smith
Sent: Friday, April 04, 2003 9:43 PM
Subject: Sugar.org Feedback form

FORM VALUES:
-------------------------
comments: I have celiac disease, an autoimmune disease requiring
absolute avoidance of gluten from wheat, rye, barley and related grains.
Gluten is present in very unexpected and surprisng places, whether used
as a "processing aid", contamination in the storage/processing stage, or
others. Can you please provide some information about the processing of
granulated (white) sugar, and if this product (made by various
manufactures and sold under various brand names) is generally made in
dedicated facilities, or if there is a possibility that granulated sugar
may not be gluten free? I know that at least one brand of granulated
sugar has been listed in a nationally published listing of gluten-free
foods, but is not in the current issue. I would appreciate any
information that your association can provide about generally recognized
practices in the industry, and whether my search for gluten-free
granulated sugar should be brand specific.

Also, concerning brown sugar, caramel color may be made with
gluten-containing grains. I would only purchase brown sugar listing
"cane sugar and cane caramel color". I appreciate any information that
you can provide about brown sugar.

I thank you very much for any assistance you can provide.

Sincerely,

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