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Below are ingredients that are often misunderstood regarding their gluten free status, by those on the gluten free diet. While some of the items listed were not allowed on the gluten free diet in the past, research by Celiac experts, governments and the food industry have found them to be gluten free and acceptable for people with Celiac or gluten intolerance. The italicized text indicates the latest information regarding these ingredients from Celiac experts and organizations.
1. Grain alcohol- Food scientists have confirmed that the distillation process removes the gluten protein from the final product. There is no residual gluten in distilled alcohols or distilled vinegars derived from gluten containing grains. These products are allowed on a gluten-free diet.
2. Blue cheese- The Canadian Celiac Association [CCA] has recently investigated a variety of blue cheese on the market and found that very few are made using bread mold, and when they are, the test results completed by Health Canada found no detectable levels of gluten in the final product.
3. Instant and Decaf coffee- These do not generally contain gluten. However, some flavored specialty coffee and tea may contain barley malt flavoring which is not gluten free.
4. Natural flavors ; flavors - According to flavor manufacturing companies and expert scientists, flavors generally do not contain gluten. Two exceptions are: a) hydrolyzed wheat protein [this must be declared on a label as “hydrolyzed wheat protein” and not “flavor”] and b) barley malt flavoring or extract [almost always declared as “barley malt flavoring” or “barley malt extract” and not just “flavoring”].
5. Spices with declumping agents- Although an anti-caking agent may sometimes be added to spices, it is usually silicon dioxide, calcium silicate or sodium aluminum silica and not wheat four or wheat starch according to research by Shelley Case, RD. It should be noted that “seasonings” are different than “spices”. Seasonings are a blend of spices and/or herbs along with a carrier agent that may contain wheat flour or wheat starch.
6. Ground spices- (Refer to # 5 above).
7. Vanilla and vanilla extract- Vanilla and vanilla extracts do not contain gluten, though the extract is often distilled from grain (wheat) alcohol. (Refer to # 1 above).
8. Grain vinegar- Although vinegar may come from wheat, the distillation process removes the wheat protein and the final product does not contain gluten.
9. Cheese- Most cheese is gluten-free. Some seasoned shredded cheese may contain seasonings with wheat flour, wheat starch or hydrolyzed wheat protein.
10. Gluten-free spirits- (Refer # 1 above).
11. Ketchup- Ketchup is made with distilled vinegar and is gluten free, unless the label states wheat on it, which is rare (Refer to # 1 above).
12. Artificial color- There is no evidence that artificial colors contain gluten.
13. Stamps and envelopes- The manufacturers of stamps and envelopes state that gluten containing grains are not used in the production of these items. Cornstarch is the most commonly used ingredient.
14. Citric Acid- An organic acid obtained through yeast or bacterial fermentation of glucose/dextrose derived corn, beet sugar, molasses and rarely wheat. The manufacturing process renders citric acid gluten-free regardless of the source.
15. MSG (Monosodium Glutamate)-A flavor enhancer produced through the fermentation of molasses from sugar cane, corn or sugar beets. MSG manufactured in North America is safe. However, when it is manufactured in Asia, wheat may occasionally be used in the fermentation process. US labeling regulations now require that wheat be declared when used in the manufacturing of MSG. If this is the case, the label will identify: MSG (wheat).
Comments
Thanks so much for this updated list! That fact about stamps I found interesting, I had always been told to avoid them. Thanks for clearing up the natural flavor thing!
Great post. I found it upsetting to find some of these items mentioned in The G-Free Diet as unsafe.
Great article! I just told a friend the other day that blue cheese wasn't safe. He'll be delighted to know that it is!
I too believed the myth about stamps and envelopes for over a year. When I went looking for proof that the adhesive used for them contained gluten, I found that is not the case presently.
Thanks! You just added some joy to my life! I am so glad to be able to cross some of these off my list of forbidden/warning ingredients.
I'm glad this information was able to help some people understand these ingredients better. Please remember that one must still read labels (until the laws are changed) unless the label states "gluten free" on it. In regards to blue cheese, there was one brand on the market two years ago that stated wheat on the label. The manufacturer said they were not sure about the gluten status as it was not tested so they decided to add wheat to the label to protect themselves. Actions like these only confuse the issue further, which is why we must have a "gluten- free" labeling law in the U.S., like many other countries have had for years.
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