gluten free?

[bsmi...@cox.net]

Hi,

I chanced across your list of gluten-free items while doing some research and wanted to thank you for all the time and energy you have put into compiling such a complete list!

I was diagnosed as a celiac in 1992 and have been following a strict diet with good results ever since. It's been a while since I have done any research on products...you settle into what works and stick to it =)

I noticed that you listed Pepsi as a gluten free item and wanted to share something that I learned during my initial checking of products. I was told that anything containing carmel coloring, unless the source is listed, should be eliminated...apparently the common source is baked wheat.

Almost all colas and flavored sodas contain carmel coloring...others, such as Squirt contain "modified food starch", aka wheat. "Artificial colors and flavoring" is also a good thing to avoid, as they could be extracts distilled from wheat.

Just thought I would share. I hope that the celiacs and moms of celiacs in Tucson appreciate your extensive work! Have a great week!
Bobbi Smith
Gilbert AZ

[Diana]

Hello Bobbi!

Thanks for the compliments. I certainly try my hardest to keep this
list as up-to-date as possible and it is encouraging when I have
feedback like this. It helps when a reader like yourself reads the
list, makes suggestions and comments. We are all in this together, and
it helps!

I am constantly updating the list, and it has been awhile since I have
done research regarding Pepsi and caramel coloring. Like you said, one
can "settle into what works and stick to it". However, because of your
note, I decided to be sure of my research regarding Pepsi products. I
have read the same before of caramel coloring, and I am a Pepsi fan.
Of course the "alarm" goes off when one realizes Pepsi has caramel
coloring in it. It is good to recheck a product if it has been awhile
(as noted at the beginning of the list).

Regarding caramel coloring: Generally speaking, caramel coloring when
made in the United States is made from corn. I was told this by the
dietitian who spoke at the 2007 CSA conference (attended after Pepsi
was added to the list), and via other resources as I do my research
along the way. An example follows.

From Gluten Free Living:
Caramel color: http://www.glutenfreeliving.com/ingredient.php (a great
list I might add, and is a general reflection of the latest of USA
made product)
"Corn is used to make caramel color in the U.S. The FDA does permit
use of barley malt but all major caramel color producers say corn
makes a better product."

Of course, one can find lots of conflicting statements about caramel
color on the Internet. The problem with the Internet is that as
information becomes outdated, the older information is not
automatically deleted!

Be cautious about your product though. If it is NOT made in the USA,
and it contains caramel coloring, it is very likely NOT gluten free.
In Europe, for instance, caramel coloring is most often derived from
barley or wheat. This is why we find current conflicting information
on the Internet. Don't you wish there was a WORLD standard?

The best thing to do would be to contact the maker of the product in
question (Pepsi, Coke, etc.) to discover what their source of caramel
coloring is. I strongly encourage this. You will find yourself
pleasantly surprised most of the time! I might add that Pepsi (and
Coke) says its products are gluten free (their caramel coloring is
from the USA).

Regarding modified food starch: Be sure you contact a manufacturer
regarding "modified food starch" for the same reason, to find out what
the source is/what the food starch is modified with. Also true with
artificial colors or flavoring. Some products may be gluten free, and
others not so.

As products are included on the Tucson Gluten Free Shopping List, they
are believed to be gluten free.

For a reader, or myself, it is a matter of comfort level on the part
of the reader/consumer.

And of course, as a mother, I would never knowingly give my young
daughter a product where there was even a question about it.

Thanks, Bobbi, for bringing this to our attention. One can never be
too careful!

~Diana
List Editor