Gluten free diet: myths busted

Volunteers’ Conference, 14 October, 2017

Hidden gluten

Myth

• Manufacturers must list ALL ingredients on an ingredients list

• The grain used must be listed, for example, wheat, rye, barley or oats

• Gluten cannot be hidden

Ingredients list

• Since 2005, manufacturers have had to list if they use any:

• Wheat• Rye• Barley• Oats

• Regardless of how much they have used

• Some may use the word ‘gluten’ as well eg wheat gluten

Example 1

Potato starch, vegetable oil, salt, colour, flavourings; (contains celery, soya, wheat), wheat flour, flavour enhancers, emulsifiers, spice and herb extracts, onion extract

x This product is not suitable for a gluten free diet

Example 2

Sugar, cocoa butter, skimmed milk powder, cocoa mass, lactose, vegetable fat, whey powder, milk, fat, emulsifiers, starch, glazing agent, colours, vegetable oil, flavourings, vanilla extract, milk

This product is suitable for a gluten free diet

Contamination

A breadcrumb won’t hurt someone with coeliac disease

Myth

• Even very small amounts of gluten can be damaging to people with coeliac disease

• It is important that sensible steps are taken to avoid cross contamination with gluten

Glucose syrup

• People with coeliac disease can’t eat:

• Glucose syrup

• Maltodextrin

• Dextrose

Myth

• Some ingredients are made from cereals containing gluten but they are processed to remove the gluten

• These ingredients are gluten free

• They are exempt from labelling legislation

• The European Food Safety Authority have declared them safe for people with coeliac disease and those allergic to wheat

Mustard

“Help! I’m confused about mustard. My friend said that I can’t eat it if I have coeliac disease”

Myth

• Mustard seeds and mustard flour are naturally gluten free

• Traditionally, English mustard contains wheat flour

• If wheat flour has been used it must be declared on an ingredients list

Barley malt extract

• Barley malt extract is made from barley so it is not suitable for people with coeliac disease…

Myth

• Barley flour, barley waters and malted drinks need to be avoided

• Barley malt extract, quantity used may vary

• Small amounts can be tolerated by most people eg own brand breakfast cereals

Oats

Oats are not suitable for people with coeliac disease…

Myth

• Oats can be eaten by the majority of people with coeliac disease, if they are labelled as gluten free

• Contamination

• Gluten free oats are listed in the Coeliac UK Food and Drink Directory

• Can be introduced at any stage

• Oats contain avenin. Small percentage of people may not be able to tolerate

Starch and modified starch

• Starches and modified starch should be avoided as they could be made from wheat…

Myth

• Can be derived from a variety of sources

• If the source is gluten, it must be listed in the ingredients list

• Starch and modified starch are gluten free

• Wheat starch and modified wheat starch are not suitable. If used they must be listed in the ingredients list

Grated cheese

Grated cheese is coated in wheat flour to separate the pieces…

Myth

• All cheese is naturally gluten free

• The mould in blue cheese may be grown on bread but the final product is gluten free

• Codex standard for cheese. Gluten should not be used during processing or coating of cheese

Malt whisky

Myth

• All spirits and liqueurs are suitable for a gluten free diet

• All spirit drinks are distilled which removes any traces of gluten

• Distillates from gluten containing cereals are exempt from labelling legislation

Vinegar

• Malt vinegar can be made from barley so is not suitable

Myth

• Malt vinegar can be made from barley

• Vinegar is made by fermentation

• Trace amount of gluten in the end product, well within safe levels

• Balsamic, cider, white wine and red wine vinegar are also suitable

Strawberries

Myth

• Strawberries are naturally gluten free

• Even if they had been grown on straw they would still be suitable for a gluten free diet

• Rinse before eating to remove any traces

Toothpaste

Myth

British Dental Association not aware of any toothpaste that contains gluten

Cosmetics

“I’ve noticed there is oatmeal in my favouritemoisturiser, can I still use it?”

Myth

• Gluten only causes a problem for people if it is eaten

Summary

• Manufacturers can’t hide gluten in a product

• Some ingredients can be made from wheat but are actually safe to eat

• Foods which contain barley malt extract can be eaten if the level used is within a safe level

• Mustard, modified starch, whisky and vinegar are all safe to eat

• Oats can be eaten by most people with coeliac disease if they are labelled gluten free