Belly ache after using Schwartz spices

[Collie]

Has anyone been glutened by Schwartz chilli powder (hot)?

[Researchfan]

No. But that would give bellyache anyway because of the chilli.

X

[Collie in reply to Researchfan]

🙃

[Emzcat41]

No but since I stopped gluten I found I also couldn’t tolerate chilli x

[Collie in reply to Emzcat41]

Thank you for your reply. Interesting that both you and Reaearchfan can’t tolerate chilli 🌶 I am OK with plain cayenne pepper and with fresh chillies. I’ve emailed Schwartz to see whether there’s any risk of cross contamination (I have found a blog online where sometime was glutened by Schwartz pilau spice mix).

X

[Hidden in reply to Collie]

I find there is a standard response to such emails:

Them: No, our product is free of gluten containing ingredients so safe for coeliac.

You: But is it produced in a gluten free safe production line?

Them: Yes. No. I don't know. Let me check with Technical.

Them (a few days later): Technical says it's not safe for coeliac.

You: Ok, so why aren't you telling people this?

Them: (now a senior customer services manager): Our product is free of gluten and safe for anyone following a gluten avoidance diet.

You: Why would Technical say it's not safe?

Them :(still a senior customer services manager): Our product is free of gluten and safe for anyone following a gluten avoidance diet.

You: But do you check/test for gluten though, and is there any gluten on the production line?

Them:.....................................................

You (two weeks later): Hello, can someone answer my question?

Them:.....................................................................................................................................

Them (another month later)......................................................................................................

Moral of the story: If you had a gluten reaction and no other risk items present, more than likely a cross-contaminated product. Don't be gaslighted by the manufacturer or by others implying you have an issue with chilli. Find a safe brand, if possible, or just use fresh whole chillis.

[Collie]

Just recovering from gluten symptoms after using Schwartz chilli spice mix (I am highly sensitive to trace amounts). I've just received a helpful reply from Schwartz which I'm sharing in case anyone else is hypersensitive to gluten:

"With the exception of our Gluten Free Recipe Mix range, Schwartz products are produced in a production unit which sometimes handles gluten, ingredient separation and production sequencing is extremely important to us, however, there is a minimal risk of cross contamination.

Products can only be called Gluten Free if they meet the following criteria.

Our Gluten Free products are certified by Coeliac UK and they have strict rules on sourcing, handling and manufacture of Gluten Free products.

1. Raw materials come from a gluten free source. This means no agricultural contamination and a gluten free supply chain from field to factory. In some parts of the world herbs and spices are grown near or transported with wheat so they could become contaminated with gluten.

2. Before we manufacture our gluten free products we intensively clean our facilities to ensure they are free from gluten

3. We take samples from each production run and have them tested by an external laboratory for gluten.

We trust this answers your enquiry

Warm Regards

Schwartz Customer Service"

[Hidden in reply to Collie]

They didn't actually answer your question though - they provided you with a lovely word salad and quoted Ceoliac UK as a certifier of their GF products, and then distracted you with a rundown on how their GF products are produced. Totally avoided your question, and only alluded to an occasional and minimal risk from gluten in their production for the non-GF labelled products. These people are total spin doctors.

[Collie in reply to Hidden]

Yep. You're right there. I did suggest they amend their labelling in future.