Gluten Free Wheat

If you follow a gluten free diet, "wheat" is a big no no in your diet.
Happy National Celiac Awareness Day!... and let's delve into when wheat ISN'T gluten.

There is a wheat starch that can be manufactured gluten-free. Basically the process is flour and water and with the gluten now activated, the dough is washed to remove the starch. The starch dissolves in water and with further processing the water is then dissolved leaving a powdery wheat starch behind.
This starch MUST be tested and certified to be gluten-free.

Wheat starch is used more in Europe and is newly on the scene here in the U.S. The starch improves texture and elasticity of foods, that "glue-like, stretchiness" that typically only gluten provides.

There are some mixes and other products on the market now from reputable gluten-free companies that contain this gluten-free wheat starch.

Is it safe? That depends on you and the integrity of the company. Here in the U.S. products that contain less than 20 parts per million (ppm) of gluten can be labeled gluten-free. In Europe it's more stringent, their threshold is 10 ppm.

But if you're someone who cannot tolerate products that state they are gluten-free but have some possibility of cross-contamination, then I would avoid "gluten-free" wheat starch. Stick to the dedicated gluten-free facilities with certification as your safest bet.

If you do seem to tolerate foods that are labeled gluten-free but do have some possibility of cross-contamination (but fall below the 20 ppm threshold) then you should be safe to eat this.

My next concern has to do with the types of foods that utilize wheat starch. We are talking about pizza crust, bread dough mixes, etc. Typically these are highly processed foods that aren't particularly healthy. Therefore, despite the "safety", I would caution you to not consume such foods with any regularity.

My paranoia forces me to cite concerns of possible "oopses" or mistakes that just seem to happen at times. Yes the company is certified but with wheat starch, clearly they have wheat flour on premises. What is there's a mistake? This could be incredibly costly to your health, so consume these products with that potential liability in mind.

Lastly, PLEASE realize that wheat starch can be an ingredient in a food that DOES contain wheat. Therefore, don't see wheat starch and think you're fine - the product must state that it is certified to be gluten-free as well.

If you're wondering if you have a problem with gluten, consider reaching out to us for a consultation.

For appointments, call the front desk at 727-335-0400