Jump to content
This site uses cookies. Continued use is acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. More Info... ×
  • Welcome to Celiac.com!

    You have found your celiac tribe! Join us and ask questions in our forum, share your story, and connect with others.




  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A1):



    Celiac.com Sponsor (A1-M):


  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Our Content
    eNewsletter
    Donate
  • Record is Archived

    This article is now archived and is closed to further replies.

    Sarah  Curcio
    Sarah  Curcio

    Gluten-Free Safety Starts Here

    Reviewed and edited by a celiac disease expert.

    Journal of Gluten Sensitivity Spring 2016 Issue - Originally published April 14, 2016

    Gluten-Free Safety Starts Here - Photo: CC--Joe Lewls
    Caption: Photo: CC--Joe Lewls

    Celiac.com 05/24/2016 - How many of us have suffered from cross contamination? Most celiacs have felt the side effects of getting gluten in their food. If it is not your own kitchen, utensils, pots or pans it can be a bit nerve racking. It is not only extremely unpleasant, but unhealthy to our intestines as well. It can cause damage that can be very detrimental in the long run.

    Photo: CC--Joe LewlsThis is exactly why the gluten-free label is particularly important. This gives celiacs a sense of safety, like a security blanket. However, how is that labeling decided upon? What certifications are really used? What standards are considered to ensure that it is 20 parts per million (ppm) or even less? Just think about the danger that can occur if something has to be recalled. For example, let's take a look at General Mills Cheerios versus Udi's Gluten-Free Foods.

    Celiac.com Sponsor (A12):
    Now, Udi's is certified by the Gluten Free Certification Organization (GFCO), which is an industry program of the Gluten Intolerance Group (GIG.) Whereas Cheerios, takes the oats, used to make the cereal, and puts it through a proprietary, mechanical system. This is supposed to remove any cross-contamination from wheat, barley or rye, according to General Mills. How safe is this for individuals with celiac disease? This is why standards are very vital.

    Now, the GFCO requires that all finished products' ingredients, using their logo, contain 10ppm or even less of gluten. It requires a stringent review process, in order to gain approval. Plus, barley-based ingredients are absolutely not allowed, under any circumstances.

    Then, you look at Cheerios and the differences are as plain as day. Recently, there was a major recall of 1.8 million boxes due to an error where a gluten ingredient was accidentally added. General Mills issued a recall of some Original Cheerios and Honey Nut Cheerios cereal because some boxes were labeled as gluten-free but actually contained wheat.

    This is absolutely not safe for the celiac community. This improper labeling can be dangerous and there are no certifications or review processes like the GFCO. The thought of becoming ill from the cross-contamination is not on any celiac's to do list. Having certified oats versus regular oats is safer that simply having the wheat washed out. The oat fields are way too close to the wheat fields.

    In the end, which would you rather purchase? There is Certified Gluten Free Foods versus just gluten-free foods. Think about your villi because they really should be up and not down!

    References:

    1. Udi's Gluten Free - FAQs. Retrieved from: Open Original Shared Link
    2. Gluten Intolerance Group - The Gluten-Free Certification Organization. Retrieved from Open Original Shared Link
    3. CNBC - General Mills recalls 1.8M Cheerios boxes for allergens. Retrieved from Open Original Shared Link
    4. Gluten Free Living - Gluten-Free Cheerios. Retrieved from Open Original Shared Link


    User Feedback

    Recommended Comments

    There are no comments to display.



    Guest
    This is now closed for further comments

  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Celiac.com:
    Donate
  • About Me

    Sarah  Curcio

    Sarah Curcio is a health and wellness writer and advocate. She's also an Amazon Best Selling Author. 

    She has worked with many different coaches, but her real passion is working with health coaches. 

    Since 2011, she has been the founder and leader of Celiac and Allergy Support. Come and join the support group here: www.meetup.com/allergy.


  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A17):
    Celiac.com Sponsor (A17):





    Celiac.com Sponsors (A17-M):




  • Related Articles

    Jefferson Adams
    Complaints to FDA Led to Cheerios Gluten-free Lawsuit
    Celiac.com 02/26/2016 - Consumer complaints to the FDA fueled a class action lawsuit claiming that cereal maker General Mills mislabeled gluten contaminated Cheerios as "gluten-free."
    The recent suit was brought by a Kentucky woman, who alleges that she purchased two boxes of Honey Nut Cheerios labeled as gluten-free, but which actually contained gluten levels more than two times higher than allowed under FDA standards.
    The consumer complaints led to FDA testing on gluten-free Cheerios. The FDA tested 36 samples of gluten-free Cheerios taken from different manufacturing facilities and lots. The tests found that some "Gluten Free" Cheerios samples contained as much as 43 ppm gluten. Current FDA rules forbid the use of the statement "gluten-free" on any food product with gluten...


    Jefferson Adams
    Celiac.com 03/18/2016 - An Australian man's fight to force his local pub to provide gluten-free gravy to go with his gluten-free New Year meal made it all the way to that country's Federal Circuit Court, before a judge brought the man's quest to an ignoble end by pronouncing the suit "frivolous," and dismissing it entirely.
    The man in the center of the battle is Bruce Skeen, an elderly gentleman with celiac disease or gluten intolerance. Mr. Skeen's travails began when he paid $1 to attend Christmas function at Blacktown Workers Club in December 2013.
    For the Christmas function, Skeen pre-ordered a gluten-free meal and gluten-free dessert, despite never having done so in the past. When his gluten-free roast dinner arrived without gluten-free gravy, Mr. Skeen became "angry and disruptive...


    Jefferson Adams
    General Mills Sued Again Over Recalled 'Gluten-Free' Cheerios
    Celiac.com 03/28/2016 - An Oregon man who claims to have celiac disease filed another proposed class action suit against General Mills in federal court recently.
    The company recalled nearly 2 million boxes of the cereal last year after what they claimed was a mistake at a local packaging plant. That recall incident has spurred several lawsuits already, which were covered in two previous articles, General Mills Sued Over Recalled Gluten-free Cheerios, and General Mills Sued Again, This Time for Misleading Labels on Gluten-free Cheerios.
    In the latest suit, named plaintiff, Christopher Hamilton, of Marion County, Oregon, individually and for all others similarly situated, filed a class action lawsuit Feb. 29 in U.S. District Court for the District of Oregon Eugene Division against...


    Betty Wedman-St Louis, PhD, RD
    Celiac.com 07/18/2016 - Dietary phosphorus occurs naturally in dairy foods, animal meats, and legumes but according to the Institute of Medicine, high levels of phosphorus can be a contributor to cardiovascular, kidney and osteoporosis disorders.
    While phosphorus is considered an essential nutrient, the increased amounts found in processed foods via additives like anti-caking agents, stabilizers and leavening agents or acidifiers does not have to be stated on the nutrition label. Individuals following a gluten-free diet need to consider the health implications of phosphates found in processed foods eaten regularly in their diet. Reducing carbonated beverages is the best way to reduce phosphorus levels in the diet. Extra attention needs to be paid to the ingredient statement on foods....


    Yvonne (Vonnie) Mostat, RN
    Did You Know? (Summer 2016)
    Celiac.com 08/04/2016 - Did, or do you know the hidden dangers of celiac disease? Often we can spout off some of the things we have been told, heard or learned on this gluten free journey, but do you know the hidden dangers of unchecked or ignored celiac disease or gluten sensitivity? I myself was shocked by some of the research that is out there about the damage of consuming gluten. Some people who are diagnosed quickly are able to reverse the certain hidden and unknown problems.
    Did You Know that Medical facts listed by the Canadian Celiac Association in their Medical Facts bulletin of 2016 indicate that celiac disease now affects between 0.5% - 1% of the population of the USA, which is similar to the prevalence reported in Europe? World prevalence is estimated at 1 in 166, and celiac...


    Yvonne (Vonnie) Mostat, RN
    Using the 504 Plan at School to Accommodate a Student with Celiac Disease
    Celiac.com 10/25/2016 - The 504 Plan stems from Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. This section prevents discrimination against public school students in grades kindergarten through 12 because of disabilities. A 504 plan is meant to "remove barriers" to learning by providing a specific outline on how to make accommodations or modifications on a student-by-student basis.
    The Rehabilitation Act of 1973 applies to all institutions receiving federal financial assistance, such as public schools. Under this law, public schools must provide a free, appropriate public education and not discriminate against disabled students. This law acknowledges that the disability may not require special education services, but a plan is needed to ensure the student receives an appropriate education...


  • Recent Activity

    1. - trents replied to GeordieGeezer's topic in Food Intolerance & Leaky Gut
      13

      Anybody else have a similar experience...theories welcome as its something which i dont really understand.....

    2. - GeordieGeezer replied to GeordieGeezer's topic in Food Intolerance & Leaky Gut
      13

      Anybody else have a similar experience...theories welcome as its something which i dont really understand.....

    3. - sh00148 replied to sh00148's topic in Celiac Disease Pre-Diagnosis, Testing & Symptoms
      3

      Nighttime Soiling (5 year old)

    4. - cristiana replied to sh00148's topic in Celiac Disease Pre-Diagnosis, Testing & Symptoms
      3

      Nighttime Soiling (5 year old)

    5. - Scott Adams replied to Blue Roan's topic in Related Issues & Disorders
      2

      Lymph nodes in neck + thyroid issues


  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):



  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      125,791
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748

    Paula4unc
    Newest Member
    Paula4unc
    Joined

  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):


  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      120.8k
    • Total Posts
      68.9k

  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):





  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):



  • Popular Now

    • Elliebee
    • mswhis
    • Dhruv
      20
    • Sking
    • Mary Em
      10
  • Popular Articles

    • Scott Adams
    • Scott Adams
    • Scott Adams
    • Scott Adams
    • Scott Adams
  • Upcoming Events

×
×
  • Create New...