Wheat and its derivatives are used in many forms and have many names such as semolina, durum, spelt, etc. Before the new labeling laws went into effect in January 2006, it was very difficult to determine whether a product contained wheat. Now, any product that contains wheat is required to list it as “wheat” in the ingredients, or have allergy information that states: “Contains: Wheat”. Gluten-free consumers must also look for rye, barley, malt (which is made from barley), triticale and oats.  These grains are not typically processed like wheat and do not have other names, so if a product contains one of these grains, it will be stated in the ingredients in plain lettering. Companies do not specifically list gluten within the allergy information on their products, so it is important to look for this all of these grains.  Medicines and other health and beauty items may also contain gluten and are not subject to the food labeling laws.  To find out if one of these products is gluten-free, it is best to call the manufacturer.

Gluten can also be present in foods that are typically gluten-free because they come in contact with gluten containing foods. This is called cross contamination and can take place in many ways, so people with Celiac Disease must be constantly aware of how their foods are prepared.  For instance, toasting gluten-free bread in the same toaster as regular bread can result in cross contamination. Another way is in a fryer where something such as onion rings are fried in the same oil as french fries. The gluten from the onion ring coating can attach to the french fries and contaminate them.  Butter that has been used on regular bread or water that is used to cook regular pasta could also become contaminated.  Be aware of how your foods are cooked and be assertive to find out when you don’t know. When in doubt, go without.

People with Celiac Disease must also be aware of some miscellaneous products that contain gluten.  For instance, alcohols such as beers and malt beverages contain gluten.  Wines and distilled liquors typically do not. While some distilled liquors are made from gluten containing grains, the distilling process eliminates the gluten from the alcohol. Adhesives on stamps or product packaging may contain gluten.  Certain skin products contain gluten in addition to products like Play-Doh.  People with Celiac Disease must be careful to keep any residues of these products away from their mouth to avoid ingesting any gluten.

Gluten Free Grains

Amaranth Job’s tears Sago Arrowroot Legumes Seeds Buckwheat Millet Soy Cassava Nuts Sorghum Corn Potatoes Tapioca Flax Quinoa Wild Rice Indian rice grass Rice Yucca

Gluten Containing Grains

Wheat Derivatives Wheat Products Other Grains durum Bromated flour Rye einkorn Durum flour Barley emmer Enriched flour Triticale kamut Farina   hydrolyzed wheat protein Graham flour   spelt Phosphated flour   wheat bran Plain flour   wheat germ Self-rising flour   wheat starch Semolina     White flour

Read ingredients on all of foods to see if they contain gluten.  Some packaged foods that are typically gluten-free, like rice, could be made with a sauce that is not gluten-free.