CSA On Mcdonald's Fries

[lovegrov]

I post this not to stir up any more debate but because I hadn't seen this statement before. If it was posted and I missed it, this thread can be deleted or ignore.

This is from the CSA, which is generally VERY cautious. While they always advise avoiding anything that orginally has a gluten ingredients, they seem to agree that the fries are negative for gluten using the most sensitive testing available and possibly have no gluten whatsoever.

As always, eating out anywhere is risky.

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The Celiac Sprue Association (CSA) has examined the commercial manufacturing process of the natural flavoring with wheat as a starting ingredient which is used in connection with the McDonald's Corporation French fries and hash browns. CSA provides the following statement after knowledgeable, careful evaluation and review of the process and pertinent test results.

French fries and hash browns prepared in oils with this flavoring might be considered, commercially, to "contain no gluten."

Third party analysis of the wheat ingredient of the natural flavoring revealed detectable levels of gluten. Factors affecting the possibility of there being any residual gluten in the final French fries or hash browns include:

* The quantity of wheat ingredient used in the manufacturing of the natural flavor represents only a small amount of the overall natural flavoring formulation.

* The manufacturing of the natural flavor involves processes that significantly reduce or possibly eliminate the levels of gluten that existed in the original wheat ingredient. These steps are completed before the flavor is added to the frying oil.

* The quantity of natural flavoring added to the frying oil represents only a small amount of the total frying oil.

* The oil frying process increases the final potato product weight by a small quantity.

All these factors serve to greatly reduce the initial level of gluten from the original wheat ingredient. The calculated level of any residual gluten in the final French fries and hash browns is below the limits of detection (BLD) of the most sensitive commercial gluten test.

For those with celiac disease, the only risk free choice is products with NO WBRO, that is, no Wheat, Barley, Rye, Oats and any derivatives or crosses in Product, Processing and Packaging.

The knowledge base, manufacturing processes and detection capabilities are always evolving and subject to re-evaluation and/or revision. This information is intended for people with celiac disease to use in making personal diet choices.

Celiac Sprue Association

Toll Free 877-CSA-4-CSA

www.csaceliacs.org

February 2006

[VydorScope]

Thank you. That makes sense, alot more sense then magical fryers

[Canadian Karen]

Thanks for posting that, Richard! It does make sense....

p.s. Is your avatar a picture of your beautiful Grace?

Hugs.

Karen

[AIRHJ]

Thanks for the info, my son loves Mcdonalds fries. I'm still undecided if I should let him continue to eat them. He never had any problems with it, do you think its safe for him to continue. He is 3 years old, he has been on a gluten free diet for a year now.

[VydorScope]

Thanks for the info, my son loves Mcdonalds fries. I'm still undecided if I should let him continue to eat them. He never had any problems with it, do you think its safe for him to continue. He is 3 years old, he has been on a gluten free diet for a year now.

As a parent of a 2 1/2 year old, I will not. Pretend for a min there was NEVER any possiblity of wheat in the fries themsleves. Pretnd they are 100% pure potateo... you still have a HUGE risk of cross contimation in thier friers. Why risk it?

[AIRHJ]

You are right....I just feel so bad for him, he looks forward to the hash browns every saturday morning.

[Lisa]

Vincent:

Maybe the young ones are more inclined, with their little tummies. I , to my knowledge, have not been gluten by the fries. But on the other hand I am still trying to work out healing and glutened. So I have not comments about the fries. I'm not there yet.

I thank richard on his submission. He has always been a very consistant and accurate source.

After, McD's FF, M&M's, might I suggest that salt has gluten in it's process. No.......Never mind, just kidding!

What would we do with our home cooked French Fries. JUST KIDDING.

[VydorScope]

Vincent:

Maybe the young ones are more inclined, with their little tummies. I , to my knowledge, have not been gluten by the fries. But on the other hand I am still trying to work out healing and glutened. So I have not comments about the fries. I'm not there yet.

Lisa,

Different amounts fo gluten cause symptons in different ppl. Some ppl will get symptons from the lightest spec, and some will have to eat 1/2 loaf of bread it seems. BUT Lack of symptons does not mean lack of damage, or lack of gluten.

Eating out any where is a dice roll, eating out a fast food place and you stack the odds against you much higher (even if you assume the fries start gluten-free).

Its a game of rolute, what number you want to play?

I will not take those odd's with my child. Its a personal choice, if you think those odd's are good for you, then thats your call, and I truly wish you the best luck with it.

Oh, and childern tend to be much more resilent then adults... not less

[lovegrov]

Karen,

That is indeed Grace. I was feeling down recently so I decided to put it up. I don't know that I'll leave it for long because it's sometimes startling to go to a thread and see it.

thanks

richard

[tiredofdoctors]

Thanks for posting that, Richard. I could imagine that seeing the avatar would be startling, but Grace is so beautiful, and it's a nice addition to the forum. . . . . Lynne

[Canadian Karen]

Richard,

With a face that kind, warm and serene, I am sure she has had no problem at all earning her wings.....

Hugs.

Karen

[Rachel--24]

With a face that kind, warm and serene, I am sure she has had no problem at all earning her wings.....

I agree.

Richard, she looks absolutely beautiful and like Karen said...serene. She looks very sweet.