Gluten-free Bread Tests Positive for Gluten

It was bound to happen and will probably happen again and again. Great Specialty Products, a North Carolina home based business that sold so-called gluten-free products directly to consumers, has been shut down or at least they can’t sell products as being gluten-free for now. The story came over the celiac listserv and Zach over at Gluten Free Raleigh has been on the case from the start. The products tested at 5000 ppm, which is way too high for products touted as being gluten-free. In fact, it’s 250 times greater than the allowed 20 ppm (or less) guideline. Below is my favorite part of Zach’s post about the situation.

What does this all mean? Basically, at a high level, it means that the state of North Carolina is enforcing Gluten Free product claims/labeling (via fraud) when the FDA won’t. It’s great to know that our state is actively protecting it’s citizenry, especially Celiacs who are often left fighting for themselves at every turn. I’ve not heard of a previous case of this nature anywhere in the country. 

Thank you Zach for telling it like it is. We know that no one was holding Whole Foods feet to the fire when they didn’t seem to mind that the Wellshire Farms Gluten-free Chicken Nuggets tested so high for gluten in 2008. Whole Foods pulled the products from stores only after the Chicago Tribune story broke. The reformulated Wellshire Farms products started turning up in several stores last spring, as reported by Amy over at The Saavy Celiac.   

There really is a need for a legal definition about what gluten-free actually means in this country. The fact that there is not one yet – nor are there plans to rule on one anytime soon – is ridiculous. The FDA states that they decided to offer recommendations about gluten-free labeling but there is no law that requires any manufacturers to adhere to suggested guide lines.

You can’t imagine how many people I meet who think as long as something doesn’t say “contains wheat” on it, the product is gluten-free. Many people don’t even realize that even that allergen label warning isn’t mandatory. Wheat has to be listed in ingredients when present. It does not have to also be listed on the bottom in bold type. When you see that being done, thank the company who makes the product. They are taking it upon themselves to add the extra warning. Last summer, we arrived home with a marinade that didn’t have any allergen listing at the bottom of the ingredient list. It was not until we went to use it that I noticed ”wheat” buried in the tiny text will the rest of the ingredients. We returned the unopened bottle  for a refund and it was completely our fault that we didn’t notice the “wheat” listed in the store.    

Even with wheat having to be listed on labels, neither barley or rye have to be noted. Rye is usally found in rye crackers and bread only. Therefore, it’s fairly easy to avoid rye. Barley on the other hand is a different story. While malt is often made with barley, some companies have quietly switched to malt made from corn. This is excellent news actually, but companies doing this don’t always list what the malt is made with. The companies often find out the hard way they really need to clearly list corn malt (if it’s made from corn) and not just malt. If something says malt on it, I’ll avoid it unless it says malt (made from corn or another non gluten grain). It’ s not worth my time to call companies to inquire about what their malt is made with. 

Not only a gluten-free label law is needed but a “contains gluten” statement would be a nice requirement for any item that does as well. It’s so refreshing when I pick something up from Europe that says “contains gluten” or “might contain gluten”. Recently I did find a granola at Fresh Market that listed “contains gluten” on the bag. Hopefully some U.S. companies will get on board with that allergen statement idea as well. It sure would make shopping trips easier for us all.

Special thanks to Zach over at Gluten Free Raleigh for his informative reporting on this developing situation in North Carolina!