Jump to content

  • Welcome to Celiac.com!

    You have found your celiac tribe! Join us and ask questions in our forum, share your story, and connect with others.



  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A1):

    Celiac.com Sponsor (A1-M):

  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Our Content
    eNewsletter
    Donate

When Labels Say "may Contain Gluten"

Waitingindreams

Recommended Posts

Waitingindreams Enthusiast
Waitingindreams
Posted

Hi everyone!

 

Generally, when reading a food label that says "may contain traces of wheat and/or gluten", I tend to avoid it. I stick to products that specifically say 'gluten free' on the label, or that I can research easily.

 

I just received chocolate/flowers at work from my office, and though there are no actual gluten containing ingredients in the chocolate, it says 'may contain traces of gluten, tree nuts, etc". I've never heard of this brand before, and I've already tried to research it by googling but I've had no luck. The brand name is "Terravita" and it's plain chocolate.

 

Now, obviously I don't need the chocolate - but I was curious what most people do in these kind of situations. I know the 'may contain gluten, etc etc' is usually just a disclaimer to cover their asses, but am I right to assume this is probably not safe to eat? Although having a chocolate bar at my desk is tempting, I am trying to be good.  -_-

 

 

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


Waitingindreams Enthusiast
Waitingindreams
Posted
  • Author

I just switched chocolate bars with a co-worker. Hers was "Tiramisu" flavored, and there is no mention of gluten anywhere on the label (same brand)

kareng Grand Master
kareng
Posted

I never eat these.  They may be fine but, it is the principle of the thing!  I feel like they are too lazy to clean the machines or something.

Waitingindreams Enthusiast
Waitingindreams
Posted
  • Author

That's what I figured! For the longest time I was trying to find cashews, and every time I found a bag/container of plain cashews they ALL said "May contain traces of wheat".So I just didn't eat cashews. I'd much rather be safe than sorry. For the most part, I'm going to stick to trusted brands that actually have "gluten free" printed on the label! 

 

Thanks for your feedback :)

IrishHeart Veteran
IrishHeart
Posted

I would never eat anything labeled "may contain gluten". 

 

IMO, saying "may contain gluten" is actually an honest response. I figure it's better than not saying anything and you find out later. ^_^

 

There are ways to eat cashews without worrying about "traces of wheat" hon. Most nut companies use no wheat on their production lines.

You do not have to give them up for life. 

 

here is just one example

 

Open Original Shared Link

kareng Grand Master
kareng
Posted

I always get Plantars.   Yum....

NoGlutenCooties Contributor
NoGlutenCooties
Posted

I don't touch anything that says "may contain gluten" or "may contain wheat".  They're telling you up front that there is a cross-contamination risk.  I can respect that.  And eat something else.

 

As far as cashews... Planters just warns against traces of tree nuts and peanuts.  I've never had an issue with their cashews or anything else.

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


kirstenB Newbie
kirstenB
Posted

Personally, if it was mine, I would try a little and see how I felt. There is a lot of chocolate companies that do not say gluten free but are.

LauraTX Rising Star
LauraTX
Posted

I will personally eat from shared facilities, but will not eat from shared equipment unless it is from a trusted company like ghirardelli.  If the label blatantly says "may contain" I will pass.  I think you got a good deal with your chocolate bar trade!  I wouldn't recommend trying a little bit to see how you felt, especially if you are at work and don't want to have bathroom Armageddon there.  All depends on your sensitivity.

RMJ Mentor
RMJ
Posted

I will personally eat from shared facilities, but will not eat from shared equipment unless it is from a trusted company like ghirardelli.  If the label blatantly says "may contain" I will pass.  

Just wondering why you feel Ghirardelli is ok? The label on their cocoa (my favorite) changed recently to "may contain wheat." I contacted them and they said it is now made by a "co-manufacturer" on shared equipment. I stopped using it and have been trying to convince myself that I like Hershey's cocoa.

Waitingindreams Enthusiast
Waitingindreams
Posted
  • Author

Wow, thanks for the responses everyone! I agree that it's just not worth it to risk it. I chose the plain chocolate bar, thinking it'd be the least risky out of all of the flavors - but when I saw 'may contain gluten' it made me wary. I think it's interesting that the tiramisu flavor only said 'may contain traces of peanuts or tree nuts', but it worked out! I got to have chocolate and I didn't get sick. :)

 

Planters is such a well known brand, I don't know why I haven't come across their cashews yet. I was looking at the bags in the produce/organic section (thinking they'd be safer) and those all said they may contain traces of wheat, same with all of the store brands I was looking at (Stop & Shop, IGA, Walgreens, etc) Maybe they just don't sell the Planters cashews where I was looking. I think they mostly had mixes. I could try Walmart. 

 

I used to eat peanut butter like it was my job, and then last June (before my celiac diagnosis) I had a bunch of allergy tests done and I found out I was "allergic" to peanuts. I ate extra chunky peanut butter the day they told me I was allergic to peanuts. Heh. So, I've stayed away from peanuts and started eating almond and/or sunbutter...and I started to look for cashews to have as a  snack other than peanuts, then I couldn't find any that didn't have the "may contain wheat" warning. -_- I am planning on getting re-tested for the peanut allergy soon. My boyfriend has been itching to go to Five Guys (they have gluten free fries, but they use peanut oil) with me, but I played it cautious in case I actually am allergic to peanuts. 

IrishHeart Veteran
IrishHeart
Posted

Then don't eat those! The can states they are made with peanut oil.

 

Allergy tests are notoriously incorrect. Are you sure it's a peanut allergy? 

 

Talk to StephanieL about this. Shoot her a PM . She has extensive knowledge about allergy testing. 

Waitingindreams Enthusiast
Waitingindreams
Posted
  • Author

Nope! Haha. I've had pretty bad allergies all of my life (severe pollen allergies, etc) I never carried an epi pen or had an inhaler or anything, I just took my Allegra and that was just fine. Then last year they were absolutely terrible - my Allegra stopped being effective at all. So, I figured it was finally time to see an allergist. He did the prick test on my arms and they swelled up, it was terrible but nothing but what i expected. I had really bad seb. dermatitis on my scalp/ears, so I assumed (hoped?) it was an allergy. He sent me for some food allergy tests, peanuts being one of them. I tested positive for peanuts, then a few weeks later (after being very sick for a while) my primary care doctor gave me a blood test for celiac disease because I told him that everything I ate was just going right through me. It was like I had constant food poisoning.

 

My doctor told me that false positive are common with celiac disease, so I do plan on getting re-tested for peanuts soon. It certainly would make my life easier if I didn't need to worry about that, too! And so far this season my allergies have calmed down significantly. Last year was brutal, but I think everything was just coming to a head. I feel much better this year. 

 

I might send her a message. I really don't think it's a true peanut allergy, but of course I wasn't going to risk it. 

LauraTX Rising Star
LauraTX
Posted

Just wondering why you feel Ghirardelli is ok? The label on their cocoa (my favorite) changed recently to "may contain wheat." I contacted them and they said it is now made by a "co-manufacturer" on shared equipment. I stopped using it and have been trying to convince myself that I like Hershey's cocoa.

 

I was referring to the OP asking about chocolate bars.  The only product I buy of theirs is the filled squares... cocoa I haven't looked at since it is totally different and I buy the nestle tollhouse cocoa, and I also haven't bought any in a good while since I sparsely use it.  But a recent change in the labeling is a good reason to practice reading every label, every time.  Ever try scharffen berger chocolate or cocoa?  It is pricey but their stuff is sooooo good.  gluten-free and says so on labels to take out guesswork.

RMJ Mentor
RMJ
Posted

I was referring to the OP asking about chocolate bars.  The only product I buy of theirs is the filled squares... cocoa I haven't looked at since it is totally different and I buy the nestle tollhouse cocoa, and I also haven't bought any in a good while since I sparsely use it.  But a recent change in the labeling is a good reason to practice reading every label, every time.  Ever try scharffen berger chocolate or cocoa?  It is pricey but their stuff is sooooo good.  gluten-free and says so on labels to take out guesswork.

In case anyone is interested, I also asked Nestle about their Tollhouse cocoa:

"Nestlé® Toll House® Baking Cocoa - Made in the same facility as products that contain gluten ingredients."

I have tried Scharffen Berger cocoa - good but pricey.

MGR Apprentice
MGR
Posted

I am new to this gluten-free life... And on some occasions I have eaten products with the " May contain traces of" and felt ill afterwards... I have to add I am extremely sensitive... No, I have learned to avoid these foods.

BlessedMommy Rising Star
BlessedMommy
Posted

I always get Plantars.   Yum....

Thanks for the recommendation! I was looking for snacks for a wedding reception that I was going to, and I remembered that, so I picked up a container of Planter's mixed nuts. :)

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

Go to topic listing

  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Celiac.com:
    Join eNewsletter
    Donate
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A17):
    Celiac.com Sponsor (A17):



    Celiac.com Sponsors (A17-M):



  • Recent Activity

    1. sc'Que?
      - sc'Que? commented on Celiac.com Sponsor: Review's article in Product Reviews
      1

      Bold Taste, No Alcohol & Crafted to Remove Gluten: Daura Non-Alc Beer Takes Alcohol-Free Beer to the Next Level

      @Daura Damm: Can we get a gluten-free Imperial Oatmeal Stout, please? Please?!?
    2. Mari
      - Mari replied to Jmartes71's topic in Related Issues & Disorders
      21

      My only proof

      I think, after reading this, that you areso traumatized by not being able yo understand what your medical advisors have been what medical conditions are that you would like to find a group of people who also feel traumatized who would agree with you and also support you. You are on a crusade much as the way the US Cabinet official, the Health Director of...
    3. Jmartes71
      - Jmartes71 replied to Jmartes71's topic in Related Issues & Disorders
      21

      My only proof

      Thus has got to STOP , medical bit believing us! I literally went through 31 years thinking it was just a food allergy as its downplayed by medical if THEY weren't the ones who diagnosed us! Im positive for HLA-DQ2 which is first celiac patient per Iran and Turkey. Here in the States especially in Cali its why do you feel that way? Why do you think your celiac...
    4. knitty kitty
      - knitty kitty replied to Scott Adams's topic in Post Diagnosis, Recovery & Treatment of Celiac Disease
      44

      Supplements for those Diagnosed with Celiac Disease

      @Scatterbrain, Thiamine Vitamin B1 and amino acid Taurine work together. Our bodies can make Taurine from meats consumed. Our bodies cannot make Thiamine and must consume thiamine from food. Meat is the best source of B vitamins like Thiamine. Vegetarians may not make sufficient taurine since they don't eat meat sources of taurine...
    5. knitty kitty
      - knitty kitty replied to Jmartes71's topic in Related Issues & Disorders
      21

      My only proof

      @Jmartes71, I went to Doterra's site and had a look around. The Doterra TerraZyme supplement really jumped out at me. Since we, as Celiacs, often have digestive problems, I looked at the ingredients. The majority of the enzymes in this supplement are made using black mold, Aspergillus! Other enzymes are made by yeast Saccharomyces! Considering...
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):


  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      132,545
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748
    PatientOne
    Newest Member
    PatientOne
    Joined
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):

  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):



  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      121.5k
    • Total Posts
      1m
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):

  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • Mari
      My only proof

      By Mari · Posted

      I think, after reading this, that you areso traumatized by not being able yo understand what your medical advisors have been  what medical conditions are that you would like to find a group of people who also feel traumatized who would agree with you and also support you. You are on a crusade much as the way the US Cabinet  official, the Health Director of our nation is in trying to change what he considers outdated and incorrect health advisories. He does not have the education, background or experience to be in the position he occupies and is not making beneficial decisions. That man suffered a terrible trauma early in his life when his father was assonated. We see now how he developed and worked himself into a powerful position.  Unless you are willing to take some advice or  are willing to use a few of the known methods of starting on a path to better health then not many of us on this Celiac Forum will be able to join you in a continuing series of complaints about medical advisors.    I am almost 90 years old. I am strictly gluten free. I use 2 herbs to help me stay as clear minded as possible. You are not wrong in complaining about medical practitioners. You might be more effective with a clearer mind, less anger and a more comfortable life if you would just try some of the suggestions offered by our fellow celiac volunteers.  
    • Jmartes71
      My only proof

      By Jmartes71 · Posted

      Thus has got to STOP , medical bit believing us! I literally went through 31 years thinking it was just a food allergy as its downplayed by medical if THEY weren't the ones who diagnosed us! Im positive for HLA-DQ2 which is first celiac patient per Iran and Turkey. Here in the States especially in Cali its why do you feel that way? Why do you think your celiac? Your not eating gluten so its something else.Medical caused me depression. I thought I was safe with my former pcp for 25 years considering i thought everything I went through and going through will be available when I get fired again for health. Health not write-ups my health always come back when you're better.Im not and being tossed away at no fault to my own other than shitty genes.I was denied disability because person said he didn't know how to classify me! I said Im celiac, i have ibs, hernia, sciatica, high blood pressure, in constant pain have skin and eye issues and menopause intensified everything. With that my celiac nightmare began to reprove my disregarded disease to a bunch of clowns who think they are my careteam when they said I didn't have...I feel Im still breathing so I can fight this so no body else has to deal with this nightmare. Starting over with " new care team" and waisting more time on why I think I am when diagnosed in 1994 before food eliminated from my diet. P.s everything i went through I did write to medical board, so pretty sure I will continue to have a hard time.
    • knitty kitty
      Supplements for those Diagnosed with Celiac Disease

      By knitty kitty · Posted

      @Scatterbrain, Thiamine Vitamin B1 and amino acid Taurine work together.  Our bodies can make Taurine from meats consumed.  Our bodies cannot make Thiamine and must consume thiamine from food.  Meat is the best source of B vitamins like Thiamine.   Vegetarians may not make sufficient taurine since they don't eat meat sources of taurine.  Seaweed is the best vegetarian source of taurine. Vegetarians may not consume sufficient Thiamine since few veggies are good sources.  Whole grains, legumes, and nuts and seeds contain thiamine.  Many of these sources can be hard to digest and absorb for people with Celiac disease.   You may find taking the forms of thiamine called Benfotiamine or TTFD (tetrahydrofurfuryl disulfide) and a B Complex will give the benefits you're looking for better than taurine alone.  
    • knitty kitty
      My only proof

      By knitty kitty · Posted

      @Jmartes71, I went to Doterra's site and had a look around.  The Doterra TerraZyme supplement really jumped out at me.  Since we, as Celiacs, often have digestive problems, I looked at the ingredients.  The majority of the enzymes in this supplement are made using black mold, Aspergillus!  Other enzymes are made by yeast Saccharomyces!  Considering the fact that Celiac often have permeable intestines (leaky gut syndrome), I would be very hesitant to take a product like this.  Although there may not be live black mold or yeast in the product, the enzymes may still cause an immune system response which would definitely cause inflammation throughout the body.   Skin, eyes, and intestines are all made from the same basic type of cells.  Your skin on the outside and eyes can reflect how irritated the intestines are on the inside.  Our skin, eyes, and intestines all need the same vitamins and nutrients to be healthy:  Vitamin A, Niacin B3 and Tryptophan, Riboflavin B2, Biotin B7, Vitamin C, and Omega Threes.  Remember that the eight B vitamins work together.  Just taking high doses of just one, vitamin like B12, can cause a deficiency in the others.  Taking high doses of B12 can mask a Folate B9 deficiency.  If you take B12, please take a B Complex, too.  Thiamine B1 can be taken in high doses safely without toxicity.  Thiamine is needed by itself to produce energy so every cell in the body can function, but Thiamine also works with the other B vitamins to make life sustaining enzymes and digestive enzymes.  Deficiencies in either Niacin, Vitamin C, or Thiamine can cause digestive problems resulting in Pellagra, Scurvy, and Gastrointestinal Beriberi.   If you change your diet, you will change your intestinal microbiome.  Following the Autoimmune Protocol Diet, a Paleo diet, will starve out SIBO bacteria.  Thiamine keeps bacteria in check so they don't get out of control as in SIBO.  Thiamine also keeps MOLDS and Yeasts from overgrowth.   Menopause symptoms and menstrual irregularities are symptomatic of low Vitamin D.   Doctors are not as knowledgeable about malnutrition as we need them to be.  A nutritionist or dietician would be more helpful.   Take control of your diet and nutrition.  Quit looking for a pill that's going to make you feel better overnight.  The Celiac journey is a marathon, not a sprint.   "Let food be your medicine, and let medicine be your food."
    • RUKen
      Are Lindt chocolate balls gluten free?

      By RUKen · Posted

      The Lindt (Lindor) dairy-free oat milk truffles are definitely gluten-free, and (last time I checked) so are the white chocolate truffles and the mint chocolate truffles. 
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

NOTICE: This site places This site places cookies on your device (Cookie settings). on your device. Continued use is acceptance of our Terms of Use, and Privacy Policy.