Gluten Free Watchdog

17 Sep

When an individual is maligned because his scientific opinion is at odds with the commercial messaging surrounding a food-testing gadget we have a problem

Background: As many of you know, Gluten Free Watchdog has been independently testing, assessing, and writing about the Nima Sensor for gluten for a couple of years. Third party testing data was recently released. As a result, we provided an update to our position statement on the testing gadget* (we are not able to recommend it).

In our post we included the following statement from Adrian Rogers, Senior Research Scientist at Romer Labs about the Nima Sensor and the third […]

By Tricia Thompson Nima Sensor 2 Comments Read more...

10 Sep

A Bit of Good News from the FDA on Gluten-Free Labeling Issues

We’ve received a bit of good news from the FDA but before you get too excited continue reading to the end of the post…

Gluten Free Watchdog periodically sends emails to FDA updating them on possible facial misbranding* related to the gluten-free labeling rule. An email sent on August 14, 2018 stated in part:

“I dealt with two product issues yesterday. A sauce labeled gluten-free yet containing beer with barley and malt listed as sub-ingredients AND a cookie labeled gluten-free containing […]

By Tricia Thompson FDA Action Alerts 5 Comments Read more...

06 Sep

Gluten Free Watchdog’s Updated Position Statement on the Nima Sensor for Gluten

At Gluten Free Watchdog we are not able to recommend the Nima Sensor consumer testing gadget* for gluten. Third party testing data released yesterday by Nima Labs has further solidified our position. This testing data confirmed what we’ve noted in our own testing with this gadget. There is no way to know whether a smiley face test result from the Nima Sensor is a true negative in terms of the gluten-free labeling rule (gluten below 20 ppm) or a […]

By Tricia Thompson Nima Sensor 8 Comments Read more...

21 Aug

Enough with the outlandish claims that folks with gluten-related disorders can eat your wheat or wheat bread without harm: They can’t!

Why we tested wheat

Gluten Free Watchdog recently tested crushed wheat for gluten (yes, you read that correctly). This testing was done due to claims being made by the manufacturer “Our Fathers Foods.”

Excerpts from manufacturer

As of August 11, 2018 the following statements were posted on the website of Our Fathers Foods (see screenshots):

“Crushed wheat #1 allows people with gluten intolerance, celiac disease, type 2 diabetes, and other health ailments to eat wheat again.”

“So far we have had around 150 […]

By Tricia Thompson Product Alerts 1 Comment Read more...

27 Jul

Gluten Free Watchdog calls on Nima Labs, Inc. to release third party testing data to their community and to others interested in using the Nima Sensor

Gluten Free Watchdog calls on Nima Labs, Inc. to release third party testing data to their community and to others interested in using the Nima Sensor.

Nima Labs, Inc. has presented useful third party testing data of their Nima Sensor device at selected conferences, but has requested that conference attendees refrain from more widespread dissemination. We are asking them to release the data privately to their users and to others interested in using the device.

Information on false negatives: Nima Labs, […]

By Tricia Thompson Nima Sensor 0 Comments Read more...

28 Jun

Adrian Rogers from Romer Labs presents: Gluten analysis and the challenges of consumer testing devices

June 28, 2018

Adrian generously agreed to allow us to post his slides from yesterday’s Medical Nutrition Practice Group webinar, Gluten analysis and the challenges of consumer testing devices. In this webinar Adrian provides information on:

Gluten Analysis: The challenges
Current Methods of Analysis
Consumer testing devices: Pros and Cons
Gluten Detective : Opinion
Conclusions

If a link to the audio becomes available, it will be posted.

Update: Here is the link to the audio and slides https://eatright.webex.com/eatright/ldr.php?RCID=febe8b09e673ea25bc4505779f32450f

If you have any questions for […]

By Tricia Thompson Testing for Gluten Contamination 0 Comments Read more...

19 Jun

Oats and the Gluten-Free Diet: Q&A Part 2

Two weeks ago I posted on social media asking you to send me your questions on oats—anything that was on your mind. I did this because the situation with oats and the gluten-free diet is one of the most complicated issues I write about–something I’ve been doing for about 21 years.

Because you sent in so many questions, they are being answered in groups. This is the second Q&A post on oats. Some of your questions may have been slightly […]

By Tricia Thompson Gluten-Free Oats 14 Comments Read more...

12 Jun

Oats and the Gluten-Free Diet: Q&A Part 1

Last week I posted on social media asking you to send me your questions on oats—anything that was on your mind because as I stated, “The situation with oats and the gluten-free diet is one of the most complicated issues I write about–something I’ve been doing for about 15 years.”

I’ve actually been writing about oats for so long that I forgot just how long. My first article on oats was published in the scientific literature in 1997—21 years ago […]

By Tricia Thompson Gluten-Free Oats 4 Comments Read more...

11 Jun

Reminder: “Gluten-Removed” Malt Beverages can be Labeled “Gluten-Free” in the State of Oregon

A consumer recently contacted Gluten Free Watchdog about Walkabout GFA (gluten-free ale) from Walkabout Brewing Co. The beer is labeled gluten-free and includes the following statement on the label, “Walkabout GFA is brewed with malted barley and hops specially crafted to be gluten-free.”

Consumer question: Is this legal?

Answer: Yes, in the state of Oregon (this product is also labeled, “for sale in Oregon only”).

Bottom Line: The TTB regulates malt beverages made using both malted barley and hops (e.g., what we […]

By Tricia Thompson Barley Contamination, Gluten-Free Beer, Gluten-Free Labeling of Alcoholic Beverages 0 Comments Read more...

11 Jun

Why are consumers finding malt extract and malt flavor in the ingredients lists of GFCO certified gluten-free foods?

The issue:

During the month of May, three products were reported to Gluten Free Watchdog that were labeled gluten-free and included the certified gluten-free logo from GFCO on product packaging yet named either malt extract or malt flavor in the ingredients list.

Nothin’ But Foods Cinnamon Raisin Granola Cookie Bites
Know Allergies Blueberry and Maple Bars
Goodie Girl Toffee Crunch Cookies

According to GFCO and the manufacturers involved, the malt ingredients are not actually in the product but instead […]

By Tricia Thompson Gluten-Free Labeling, Product Alerts 2 Comments Read more...