Dextrose and Maltextrin

[TracyButler]

I'm still kind of new to gluten free eating and was wondering about a couple ingredients. I have an app on my phone where I can scan the barcode and it tells me if its gluten free or not. Ingredients like dextrose and Maltextrin always pop up as "can be gluten free". I'm just wondering what others have found with these ingredients. Thanks! 

[mbr22m]

I believe Dextrose can be made from wheat. I think Maltodextrin is usually derived from corn,  but can also be made from wheat.  I find it's easier to just not eat a lot of processed food,  or only eat it if it's certified gluten free or from a trusted brand. 

[SLLRunner]

If wheat is used in a product, it has to say so on the label. Open Original Shared Linkis an article on this.

[psawyer]

Both of those are highly refined and contain no detectable gluten, even if the original source is wheat. But, as mentioned, if wheat IS the source, that must be disclosed on the label (at least in Canada and the US).

[kareng]

 

9 minutes ago, psawyer said:

Both of those are highly refined and contain no detectable gluten, even if the original source is wheat. But, as mentioned, if wheat IS the source, that must be disclosed on the label (at least in Canada and the US).

Ditto!  I don't worry about those ingredients.  Almost never made from wheat, anyway.  I would avoid them if they say the product contains wheat, but that probably isn't necessary.  It just makes my life easier when I don't have to analyze or think.  Yep. easier not to have to think. 

[squirmingitch]

Ditto again what Karen & Peter said. 

[TracyButler]

What about modified food starch? 

[squirmingitch]

The same applies. In the US and Canada it has to say wheat if it is from a wheat source.

[kareng]

4 hours ago, TracyButler said:

What about modified food starch? 

I think it is usually corn?  But I have seen, a couple of times, where it says food starch (wheat) or modified wheat starch.  It can be gluten free.  I know at least some wheat starch tests gluten-free.  Like I said before - I am all about making my life easier - so I just avoid anything that says "wheat" even if its the part of wheat that does not contain gluten.  I

 

[psawyer]

The "modified" in MFS does not mean genetically modified, although a  GMO grain could be used to make it. If it is from wheat (almost never the case), it must be declared as such. It is usually tapioca, but corn runs a strong second. It is an ingredient that I just don't let myself worry about. It is safe.

FWIF, in Canada this ingredient name is no longer permitted. Instead it must name the actual source, for example, "modified tapioca starch."