Comments on: Ask Shelley Case: Do Spices, Herbs & Seasonings Contain Gluten? http://www.befreeforme.com/blog/?p=1950 Gluten & Allergy Free Coupons, Samples and Sharing! Fri, 10 Sep 2010 12:31:37 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.2 By: Daniel Evans http://www.befreeforme.com/blog/?p=1950#comment-13642 Daniel Evans Thu, 20 May 2010 00:23:17 +0000 http://www.befreeforme.com/blog/?p=1950#comment-13642 Herbs are really useful in getting nutrients naturally, some of them have medicinal properties too.,~` Herbs are really useful in getting nutrients naturally, some of them have medicinal properties too.,~`

]]> By: Shelley Case http://www.befreeforme.com/blog/?p=1950#comment-9152 Shelley Case Mon, 25 Jan 2010 14:32:34 +0000 http://www.befreeforme.com/blog/?p=1950#comment-9152 Barb The only 2 gluten-free pretzels on the market that I am aware of are from Glutino and Ener G Foods and both are made with corn starch and potato starch. If you are looking for a crunchy, savory snack why not try Mary's Gone Crackers Sticks and Twigs that are made with brown rice, quiona, amaranth, millet, sesame seeds and chia seeds. Barb
The only 2 gluten-free pretzels on the market that I am aware of are from Glutino and Ener G Foods and both are made with corn starch and potato starch.

If you are looking for a crunchy, savory snack why not try Mary’s Gone Crackers Sticks and Twigs that are made with brown rice, quiona, amaranth, millet, sesame seeds and chia seeds.

]]> By: Barb http://www.befreeforme.com/blog/?p=1950#comment-9027 Barb Sat, 23 Jan 2010 13:36:22 +0000 http://www.befreeforme.com/blog/?p=1950#comment-9027 I love pretzels, but can't eat them because of wheat and corn intolerance/allergy. Can you recommend a product without wheat and corn. Barb I love pretzels, but can’t eat them because of wheat and corn intolerance/allergy. Can you recommend a product without wheat and corn.
Barb

]]> By: Kathleen Reale http://www.befreeforme.com/blog/?p=1950#comment-8579 Kathleen Reale Thu, 14 Jan 2010 22:08:28 +0000 http://www.befreeforme.com/blog/?p=1950#comment-8579 Hi Shelley- Thanks so much for this very informative column and also for your reply to help clarify the modified food starch questions! Be Free! Kathleen Hi Shelley-

Thanks so much for this very informative column and also for your reply to help clarify the modified food starch questions!

Be Free!
Kathleen

]]> By: Shelley Case http://www.befreeforme.com/blog/?p=1950#comment-8545 Shelley Case Thu, 14 Jan 2010 05:17:18 +0000 http://www.befreeforme.com/blog/?p=1950#comment-8545 In the USA, if modified starch was derived from wheat it MUST be declared as modified wheat starch or modified starch (wheat) or Contains Wheat in the ingredient list. The FDA's Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act requires the top 8 allergens (which includes wheat) to be declared on the food label- so if it just says modified food starch it could come from corn or other starches but not wheat. It should be noted that meat, poultry, fish and egg products are regulated by the USDA and the FDA food allergen regulations do not apply to these products. So it is possible that a meat product could list modified food starch and not indicate the source of the starch which could be wheat. However, USDA is working on allergen labeling regulations and they report that many manufacturers are voluntarily declaring allergen sources on the food label of meat, poultry, fish and egg products. The current Canadian Food and Drug Regulations does not require the source of modified food starch to be identified. However, Health Canada's proposed regulation called "Enhanced Labelling for Food Allergen and Gluten Sources and Added Sulphites" requires all gluten sources including wheat, rye and barley to be declared on the label. Fortunately many manufacturers are voluntarily complying with this proposed regulation even though it is not yet mandatory at this time. In the USA, if modified starch was derived from wheat it MUST be declared as modified wheat starch or modified starch (wheat) or Contains Wheat in the ingredient list. The FDA’s Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act requires the top 8 allergens (which includes wheat) to be declared on the food label- so if it just says modified food starch it could come from corn or other starches but not wheat.

It should be noted that meat, poultry, fish and egg products are regulated by the USDA and the FDA food allergen regulations do not apply to these products. So it is possible that a meat product could list modified food starch and not indicate the source of the starch which could be wheat. However, USDA is working on allergen labeling regulations and they report that many manufacturers are voluntarily declaring allergen sources on the food label of meat, poultry, fish and egg products.

The current Canadian Food and Drug Regulations does not require the source of modified food starch to be identified. However, Health Canada’s proposed regulation called “Enhanced Labelling for Food Allergen and Gluten Sources and Added Sulphites” requires all gluten sources including wheat, rye and barley to be declared on the label. Fortunately many manufacturers are voluntarily complying with this proposed regulation even though it is not yet mandatory at this time.

]]> By: TK http://www.befreeforme.com/blog/?p=1950#comment-8539 TK Thu, 14 Jan 2010 02:31:09 +0000 http://www.befreeforme.com/blog/?p=1950#comment-8539 I know that it is FDA required, but there is not currently any real enforcement. I am very careful with meat, as many indicate that they contain broth, but do not list components. Often when I call the company the broth contains either soy or wheat, both of which we avoid. How is it that this is able to slide by? I must say though, that the customer service teams answering calls now are much better educated and able to give answers about ingredients and allergens than they were a few years ago. Progress may be slow, but it is still a thing to celebrate. I know that it is FDA required, but there is not currently any real enforcement. I am very careful with meat, as many indicate that they contain broth, but do not list components. Often when I call the company the broth contains either soy or wheat, both of which we avoid. How is it that this is able to slide by? I must say though, that the customer service teams answering calls now are much better educated and able to give answers about ingredients and allergens than they were a few years ago. Progress may be slow, but it is still a thing to celebrate.

]]> By: Amanda http://www.befreeforme.com/blog/?p=1950#comment-8497 Amanda Wed, 13 Jan 2010 15:58:22 +0000 http://www.befreeforme.com/blog/?p=1950#comment-8497 I've noticed many products containing modified food starches, including spices and seasonings, yet they don't claim to contain any wheat. I've also come across a few items marked Gluten Free yet they contain modified food starches. Does anyone have any clarification on this? My doctor along with the Celiac Disease Foundation consider Modified Food Starch to be glutenous. (See this link http://www.celiac.org/cd-treatment.php) Thanks! I’ve noticed many products containing modified food starches, including spices and seasonings, yet they don’t claim to contain any wheat. I’ve also come across a few items marked Gluten Free yet they contain modified food starches. Does anyone have any clarification on this? My doctor along with the Celiac Disease Foundation consider Modified Food Starch to be glutenous. (See this link http://www.celiac.org/cd-treatment.php)
Thanks!

]]> By: Mary Lawler http://www.befreeforme.com/blog/?p=1950#comment-8495 Mary Lawler Wed, 13 Jan 2010 15:51:55 +0000 http://www.befreeforme.com/blog/?p=1950#comment-8495 Thank you! Very informative! Thank you! Very informative!

]]> By: Kathleen Reale http://www.befreeforme.com/blog/?p=1950#comment-8578 Kathleen Reale Wed, 13 Jan 2010 14:40:38 +0000 http://www.befreeforme.com/blog/?p=1950#comment-8578 Martha- Try visiting Navan Foods (http://www.navanfoods.com) they are a great resource for discovering and purchasing allergen-free foods - including corn! If you have any questions, ask the owner Jennifer. She is FaNtAsTiC! Hope this helps! Be Free! Kathleen Martha-

Try visiting Navan Foods (http://www.navanfoods.com) they are a great resource for discovering and purchasing allergen-free foods - including corn!

If you have any questions, ask the owner Jennifer. She is FaNtAsTiC!

Hope this helps!

Be Free!
Kathleen

]]> By: Martha Istvan http://www.befreeforme.com/blog/?p=1950#comment-8493 Martha Istvan Wed, 13 Jan 2010 14:39:05 +0000 http://www.befreeforme.com/blog/?p=1950#comment-8493 Thank you for the info on gluten in spices and herbs. As a celiac, I need to be aware of gluten ingredients. A far more difficult problem for me is corn-derived ingredients in nearly everything processed: foods, medications, body care products, etc. Have you suggestions for where I might find detailed information? Thank you for the info on gluten in spices and herbs. As a celiac, I need to be aware of gluten ingredients. A far more difficult problem for me is corn-derived ingredients in nearly everything processed: foods, medications, body care products, etc. Have you suggestions for where I might find detailed information?

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