Up&Up Cranberry Pill

[Bjams]

Has anyone purchased these in the past? The website lists them as gluten free... but the bottle says both gluten free and “contains wheat” on it. Very confusing!!

[cyclinglady]

I went to the website as I was not able to read the label well.  The item in question might be Carmel color.  In the US it is usually derived from corn. But in Europe (or wherever this supplement is actually manufactured — maybe China), it can be derived from wheat that is highly processed and considered gluten free.  But US labeling laws require wheat to be listed even if highly processed.  

It is confusing.   While it might be gluten free, I would not risk it.  I would give my business to another company.  Call Target and complain. 

[Bjams]

I’ve never ever heard of wheat being able to be gluten free! Is that where the 20 ppm thing kicks in? So disappointing

[Scott Adams]

Codex Alimentarius wheat starch is used in European gluten-free products because their labeling laws go strictly by 20 ppm, no matter what ingredients there are. They make superior products, and yes, celiacs in Europe do recover while eating them. Here are some articles we've done on this in case you are curious:

https://www.celiac.com/celiac-disease/miscellaneous-information-on-celiac-disease/gluten-free-diet-celiac-disease-amp-codex-alimentarius-wheat-starch/ 

[cyclinglady]

What Scott says is true.  I want to clarify about my comment on risk.  When you are new to the diet, it can be overwhelming.  Especially, when you are in the store trying to make a decision.  Who has time to look up everything?  I memorized all the sources of gluten.  That helped, but when in doubt and there is no time to research,  do not buy the product.  Sometimes, peace of mind is priceless.  ?

[Bjams]

I’m in the US! It’s listed as made in Minnesota

15 hours ago, Scott Adams said:

Codex Alimentarius wheat starch is used in European gluten-free products because their labeling laws go strictly by 20 ppm, no matter what ingredients there are. They make superior products, and yes, celiacs in Europe do recover while eating them. Here are some articles we've done on this in case you are curious:

https://www.celiac.com/celiac-disease/miscellaneous-information-on-celiac-disease/gluten-free-diet-celiac-disease-amp-codex-alimentarius-wheat-starch/ 

I’m in the US! It’s listed as made in Minnesota

[cyclinglady]

5 hours ago, Bjams said:

I’m in the US! It’s listed as made in Minnesota

I’m in the US! It’s listed as made in Minnesota

Made in Minnesota?  It says, like all Target private labeled products, distributed.  That is Target’s corporate location.  This could be made anywhere in the world.  You would have to call them.  

 

 

Edited May 1, 2020 by cyclinglady

[Scott Adams]

If this product is made and sold in the USA it could be violating USA labeling laws, but I'd need to check and see whether supplements are included in the food labeling laws...maybe not. For foods you cannot use wheat as an ingredient AND include "gluten-free" on the label, even if the form of wheat used is rendered gluten-free.

[cyclinglady]

Supplements are covered under The FDA (Food and Drug Administration) requirements, but oddly not prescription drugs.  

Since Carmel coloring is very processed, it can be derived from wheat and still be considered gluten-free.  I think the product is missing the last sentence below and is therefore mis-labeled.  

 “A product that is labeled gluten-free may include the term “wheat” in the ingredient list (e.g. wheat starch) or in a separate “Contains wheat” statement, but the label must also include the following statement: “The wheat has been processed to allow this food to meet the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requirements for gluten-free foods.”

https://gluten.org/2019/10/16/3-tips-for-gluten-free-label-reading/

This directly from the FDA site:

“In addition to limiting the unavoidable presence of gluten to less than 20 ppm, FDA allows manufacturers to label a food “gluten-free” if the food does not contain any of the following:

• an ingredient that is any type of wheat, rye, barley, or crossbreeds of these grains,
• an ingredient derived from these grains and that has not been processed to remove gluten, or
• an ingredient derived from these grains that has been processed to remove gluten, if it results in the food containing 20 or more parts per million (ppm) gluten”

https://www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/gluten-free-means-what-it-says

This label is confusing.  If the ingredient is originally made from wheat but processed to remove gluten it would say: Carmel coloring (wheat) in the ingredient listing.  The bold: “Contains: Wheat” is actually an allergen listing.  Kind of a short cut for celiacs, but critical for those with a wheat allergy.  You can not rely on the “Contains: Wheat” statement because rye and barley are not considered in the top 8 allergens.  So, you have to read the entire ingredient list as a general rule. 

This product is confusing:

If you believe the “Contains: Wheat” statement, and then you search through the ingredient list (and the only thing that stands out for me) is “Carmel coloring”, you would think this is where the wheat might be.  You would assume that since Carmel color is highly processed that the gluten has been removed.  So, safe for gluten free, but not safe for those with allergies.  It should have that final statement about the wheat being highly processed.  

Again, confusing.   I would avoid this product and find either another gluten-free product or one where you can easily contact the manufacturer.  It is hard to get an answer from company who has private labeled products in my experience.     Even the original wording (not the revision I supplied), Was not simple or clear.  Who has time for that?