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Where can I find GF dried chickpeas, beans, peas, lentils etc?

s89_ profile image
s89_
18 Replies

Trying to introduce more of the above into my diet, however, ALL of the packets of dry lentils, peas, chickpeas etc (only one brand in Asda anyway) say that they are not suitable for Celiacs due to cross contamination.

Are there any brands of the above that are certified GF? Additionally, what does everyone here think about the canned versions of the above? I don't see any mention of gluten on these, but I assume the risk is the same since they come from the same place..!!

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s89_ profile image
s89_
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18 Replies

Hi there. this is a real bug bear as you rightly say as many are packed where gluten is also present creating a potential problem.

I buy quinoa from Holland and Barretts as their whole grains say may contain traces of sesame and nuts so here's a link about their split lentils which I also buy from there:

hollandandbarrett.com/shop/...

Penel profile image
Penel

If the tinned varieties do not have a “may contain” statement, then they will be ok for you.

I just buy normal ones and thoroughly rinse them

BabsyWabsy profile image
BabsyWabsy

It's that alibi labelling again. The retailer you mention is very risk averse in its policies as it is owned by an American organisation, so they are inclined to use this type of labelling even if there is a very small theoretical risk. I have used lentils from Asda, with no issues btw. Part of the problem is that factories that pack dried goods like beans generally have a dry clean down system between products, rather than a wet clean as you would if you were packing a wetter product such as canned beans for example. A dry clean down may not get into all the nooks and crannys and therefore, if anything at all is packed that contains gluten, there is a thoeretical risk of cross contamination. For the above reasons, this should not occur with canned pulses. But always read the label.

GF certification is very expensive to implement properly and must be audited officially before a GF claim can be made on the label. For a relatively low value item such as a tin of beans, it is probably too costly.

s89_ profile image
s89_ in reply toBabsyWabsy

Thanks for the info on dry/wet cleaning - that makes sense! My issue is that I can't rely on internal or external signals to know when I've been glutened so I try to be as strict as possible so that my bowels aren't being damaged without me knowing.

BabsyWabsy profile image
BabsyWabsy in reply tos89_

Fully understood. I know some coeliacs are asymptomatic, which must make it doubly difficult to know when you have been glutened. I worked in the food industry for most of my working life and have spent time in dozens of different factories, including a large bakery, where I worked for a while. This involved a taste panel every morning of all products made overnight, (doughnuts for breakfast!) and breathing in wheat flour and getting it on my skin every day. Result: wheat allergy. I am now allergic to any wheat derivatives, including Codex wheat starch. Label reading is second nature to me, but it gets tricky with some wheat derivatives such as maltodextrin, which currently don't have to say they are wheat derived. All the best.

esteloca profile image
esteloca

Nuts.com. I'm having trouble figuring out what's safe too. I was diagnosed almost a year ago and follow a strict gf diet but my inflammation markers and white cell count are suddenly through the roof and my Dr says it's from trace gluten.

So anyway, yes it's more expensive but nuts.com has certified GF dry beans, peas, lentils etc. Hope this helps!!

s89_ profile image
s89_ in reply toesteloca

Are you in the UK? How often do you get your bloods checked, if I may ask? It's been over a year since I had mine done.

esteloca profile image
esteloca in reply tos89_

No I'm in the US. I was diagnosed a yr ago and still getting checked every 3 months because I was on my deathbed before I found a hematologist an hour away who figured out what was wrong with me (1st appointment, she knew).

It's taken this long (& many infusions) to get my iron and ferritin up but everything else is still out of whack. Not sure how often a normal person with good Drs is supposed to get chkd though. Hope you're doing well!! We're all WARRIORS that's for sure!!

BabsyWabsy profile image
BabsyWabsy in reply toesteloca

Interesting. I am not sure how GF is managed in US, but according to Nuts.com website, they have two levels of GF, certified and uncertified (Federal rules). It is worth noting that GF can still contain up 20 ppm gluten, and this can be cumulative so this might be causing your issue.

esteloca profile image
esteloca in reply toBabsyWabsy

Good looking out!! You're rt but I went bk and did some digging to figure out how I found nuts.com in the 1st place & verywellfit.com states that nuts.coms beans are tested to less than 10ppm. I haven't ordered any yet. I found the article though and will post it for everyone to see.

esteloca profile image
esteloca

verywellfit.com/gluten-free...

That's where I found out about nuts.com testing beans to less than 10ppm.

Also if you make it to the bottom of the article, there's a link for ppl sensitive to trace gluten that explains why washing dry or canned beans isn't enough for us.

I just read that one btw after washing beans yesterday and thinking that was enough!

I'm at my whitts end w all this 😥

BabsyWabsy profile image
BabsyWabsy in reply toesteloca

Do you mean uncooked beans?

esteloca profile image
esteloca in reply toBabsyWabsy

No 😂 sorry!! I cooked the beans before I ate them.

BabsyWabsy profile image
BabsyWabsy in reply toesteloca

Phew! I am glad to hear that. :-)

esteloca profile image
esteloca in reply toBabsyWabsy

So funny 😂. Thanks for cracking me up this morning!!

esteloca profile image
esteloca in reply toBabsyWabsy

I changed it. Hope it makes more sense now. My brain refuses to work

BabsyWabsy profile image
BabsyWabsy in reply toesteloca

Ha ha.... We have enough gut trouble on here without anyone eating uncooked beans.

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