Gluten-Free Oats

More thoughts on gluten-free Cheerios

Tricia Thompson2015-06-26T14:05:58+00:00A growing number of manufacturers and suppliers of “gluten-free” oats are using optical and/or mechanical sorting to clean oats at the back end of production.  What these manufacturers such as General Mills should keep in mind is that the celiac disease community has been advised for over 10 years to eat only those oats grown under a purity protocol. Consumers are now being asked by some manufacturers to put aside this advice. However, it is not enough for manufacturers to...

Is Oat Fiber Gluten-Free?

Tricia Thompson2015-06-29T14:31:25+00:00Over the years many consumers have asked me about the “safety” of oat fiber for people with gluten related disorders and whether this ingredient is likely to be contaminated with gluten-containing grains. While I have some concerns about the use of this ingredient in labeled gluten-free foods, only one of the five single ingredient oat fibers tested by Gluten Free Watchdog tested at or above 20 parts per million of gluten. Note: This article pertains to the ingredient designated as “oat...

General Mills “Gluten-Free” Cheerios: Comment from Gluten Free Watchdog

Tricia Thompson2015-07-23T13:06:13+00:00Update July 22, 2015: Please see Gluten Free Watchdog's updated statement on Gluten-Free Cheerios https://www.glutenfreewatchdog.org/news/gluten-free-cheerios-take-two/ Update March 29, 2015: Gluten-Free Cheerios, Grain Millers, Oats, and Mechanical “Cleaning” As Gluten Free Watchdog reported in February, General Mills is using a proprietary mechanical sorting process to remove wheat and barley from the oats they will use in their gluten-free Cheerios. In general, mechanical cleaning of grains separates out unwanted materials based on size, shape, and color among other attributes. Mechanical sorting/cleaning of grains is nothing...

Manufacturer Use of Regular Oats in Gluten-Free Foods: Statement from Gluten Free Watchdog

Tricia Thompson2015-06-25T18:56:31+00:00Ten years ago individuals with celiac disease were advised against eating oats. This was not because oats inherently contain gluten but because oats available commercially were highly likely to be contaminated with wheat or barley. Ten years ago we did not have oats that were specially produced and processed to be gluten-free. Today, thanks to the pioneering efforts of Cream Hill Estates, Avena Foods, Great Northern Growers/Montana Gluten-Free, and Gluten-Free Harvest specially produced and processed gluten-free oats and oat ingredients...

Special Report: The Use of Oats in Gluten-Free Foods

Tricia Thompson2015-06-25T12:43:59+00:00Special Report: The Use of Oats in Gluten-Free Foods Beth Armour, RD, Shelley Case, RD and Tricia Thompson, MS, RD For Gluten Free Watchdog UPDATE from Tricia July 10, 2014: Last week Amy Leger (The Savvy Celiac) contacted me for my input on oats—specifically how they should be included in the ingredients list if they are gluten-free or certified gluten-free. Her question stemmed from a statement provided by General Mills when she asked why the oats in the new Chex Gluten-Free Oatmeal are...