May contain gluten?

[Alison_71]

I was diagnosed a coeliac 6 months ago but I find ingredients lists on foods confusing. Although there is no gluten in the main ingredients some say may contain gluten. Do you take the risk that it's safe or not ?

[Hidden]

Hi Alison_71...I completely understand where ur coming from. " May contain" is so annoying on the ingredients list. I don't take the risk. I wouldn't advise you to take the risk either seeing as it's not been very long since u were diagnosed.

Hope that helped a little 😊

[Alison_71 in reply to Hidden]

Thankyou for your reply good to hear from other people's experiences. I wont take the risk not worth it.

[E_05]

I’ve been a coeliac for 10 years and don’t take the risk when it says may contain gluten mainly because I suffer with external symptoms not just the damage it’s doing to my insides. I don’t personally think it’s worth having gluten at all x

[Alison_71 in reply to E_05]

Thankyou for reply I will keep away from the may contain foods

[BabsyWabsy]

Hi Alison,

This is known as 'alibi labeling' in the food industry and it is used when other products are made in the same premises and there may be a carryover of allergenic ingredients. To label products 'gluten free', the company has to jump through loads of hoops to prove that their processes are adequate to remove all traces. It is easier (and cheaper) to label 'may contain' than to go down the full gluten free route, so many companies choose this option, thereby swerving responsibility. For wheat avoiders, like you and me, this is a dilemma. Personally, having risked it and been caught out, I avoid these products. It is very annoying though when you find a product that should naturally be gluten free, but it is labelled 'may contain'.

[Alison_71 in reply to BabsyWabsy]

Thankyou for your reply you have made it alot clearer to me.

[Karen49]

The reason for “may contain gluten “ comment on labelling;

an ingredient may have passed through a facility which handles a gluten containing product, or may have been grown on land which previously grew a gluten product, hence possible cross contamination.

Always wash rice and pulses thoroughly before cooking to minimise any residue of cross contamination.

[Alison_71 in reply to Karen49]

Thankyou for your reply. I hadn't thought about washing rice and puses before cooking, will do in future.

[WobblyCaroline]

As replies above, I have also been caught out so do not take the risk