Everyone needs a refresher from time to time

Hidden gluten is scary... remember these tips

Alcohol - Vinegar Questions:
The process of distillation should not allow any gliadin to get through into the distillate, according to chemists. The single word "vinegar" on food labels denotes an apple source and should be safe.

Commercially-prepared pickles, catsup, mustard, mayonnaise, steak sauce and other condiments are usually made with distilled grain vinegar. Similarly, alcohol in flavorings may be grain based. Through the process of distillation, there should be little or trace amounts of residual gluten left. Some celiacs may have inherent sensitivities to vinegars. You may try condiments and other vinegar-containing items one at a time in your Foundation Diet-Step 1.

Artificial & Natural Flavorings: According to flavoring experts and researched by Ann Whelan, editor of "Gluten-Free Living" newsletter, it is unlikely that wheat is used in most flavorings. However, meat bastings and flavors should be suspect. Flavors are also used in small amounts. McCormick & Adams brands pure spices and extracts are gluten free. McCormick has full disclosure on its labels.

Autolyzed Yeast: No gluten. However, autolyzed yeast and its extract contain MSG.

Caramel Coloring: Two companies produce most of the caramel color used the U.S., and neither uses a gluten grain in the preparation. Corn, they say, makes a better product. We don’t need to worry about caramel color on labels.

Dextrin: Can be from a gluten source. Questionable.

Dextrose, glucose, maltose, sucrose: These are all sugars.

High Fructose Corn Syrup: A sweetener from corn – gluten free.

HVP, HPP, TVP: HVP (hydrolyzed vegetable protein), according to the FDA, should now have the source clearly marked on labels. Protein hydrolysates must be declared by their common and usual names. Textured vegetable protein (TVP) or hydrolyzed plant protein(HPP) may not have the source listed; check these out.

Malt flavoring or extract: Usually from barley, which contains gluten and is not safe in any amount. Malt is typically found in most grocery store cereals, which inclusion makes these cereals not safe for celiacs.

Maltodextrin: Usually from corn.

Modified food starch is one of the major nebulous terms to look for on labels. However, if the food label states the single word "starch," it is supposed to be cornstarch,(if it is manufactured in the U.S.), according to the FDA. At this time there does not seem to be a source of pure wheat starch, although in theory it could be made gluten free. Avoid wheat starch.

Mono- and Di-Glycerides: These are fats that inherently do not contain gluten.

Roquefort and Bleu Cheese: Although some bleu cheese/roquefort has been produced from mold on bread in the past and would be contaminated, most bleu cheese and roquefort is now started with chemicals, not bread mold.

Soy Sauce: Soy sauce is produced from soybeans and other ingredients, and sometimes wheat. Some soy sauces list wheat on labels and some do not Of course, Kikkoman’s is the common brand that contains wheat. San-J Tamari and La Choy seem to be gluten free at this time. Soy sauces in oriental restaurants should be suspect because they are usually imported and you don’t know the ingredients. Note that meats/poultry could be marinated in soy sauce in the kitchen, although the final dish does not contain soy sauce; ask. Oriental restaurants are difficult to eat in.

Soy sauce in many Thai restaurants could be made in Thailand and be free of gluten because wheat is not grown in Thailand. Ask the manager if the soy sauce is directly from Thailand and ask to see the bottle label.

Vinegar

Eden Foods www.edenfoods.com (888 441-3336): apple cider vinegar, brown rice
vinegar, Ume Plum vinegar (11/04)

Heinz www.heinz.com (800 255-5750): vinegar—distilled white, red wine, apple cider
(not apple cider flavored) (1/05)

Nakano Seasoned Rice Vinegar: All

Lee Kum Kee rice vinegar

Marukan (562 229-1000 x104): rice vinegar (2/05)

Nakano Seasoned Rice Vinegar: All (2/05)

Oorenzi balsamic vinegar (11/04)

Marukan Genuine Brewed Rice Vinegar (Green Trim Label)

Regina (973 401-6500) (www.bgfoods.com) All Vinegars and Cooking Wines (1/04)

Spectrum organic brown rice vinegar, balsamic vinegars (1/04)

Sushi Chef: rice vinegar, sushi vinegar (12/04)

Trader Joe’s Genuine Balsamic Vinegar, Raspberry Vinegar (11/03)

Whole Foods 365 Balsamic Vinegar, balsamic 5 yrs old, (11/04)