Question about Root Beer

[Tanya coles]

I have been trying to figure out if Steelhead Root Beer is gluten free.  Does anyone know.  Thank you in advance. 

[Scott Adams]

It is not easy to tell from their web site

• https://mckenziebrewing.com/beers/our-beers/

which lists only these ingredients:

• "The bottled variety is brewed using pure vanilla, honey and real cane sugar." 

This site:

• http://rootbeerbarrel.com/2013/09/16/steelhead-rb/

lists these ingredients:

• "Ingredients: carbonated water, cane sugar, honey, maltodextrin, natural and artificial flavors, sodium benzoate, real vanilla, phosphoric acid, salt"

If this ingredient list is correct, it does look like it is naturally gluten-free by ingredients, although it isn't labelled gluten-free.

[Elisabeth Gerritsen]

On 9/10/2020 at 7:07 PM, Scott Adams said:

It is not easy to tell from their web site

• https://mckenziebrewing.com/beers/our-beers/

which lists only these ingredients:

• "The bottled variety is brewed using pure vanilla, honey and real cane sugar." 

This site:

• http://rootbeerbarrel.com/2013/09/16/steelhead-rb/

lists these ingredients:

• "Ingredients: carbonated water, cane sugar, honey, maltodextrin, natural and artificial flavors, sodium benzoate, real vanilla, phosphoric acid, salt"

If this ingredient list is correct, it does look like it is naturally gluten-free by ingredients, although it isn't labelled gluten-free.

The maltodextrin could contain gluten. In Europe it is made of malt beer. In the US mostly of corn, so no gluten

[Scott Adams]

Since the company is based in Eugene, Oregon it's highly doubtful that they would pay to import the ingredient from Europe, as it would be many times more expensive. It is more likely that the maltodextrin is USA made from corn, but to be 100% sure why not call them?  Let us know what you find out.

Also, in Europe maltodextrin is made from "maize, wheat and potato starch," and not from beer:

• https://www.starch.eu/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/5247.055_starch_eu-fiche-maltodextrine-webC.pdf

According to Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maltodextrin :

• "Maltodextrin can be enzymatically derived from any starch. In the US, this starch is usually corn; in Europe, it is common to use wheat. In the European Union, wheat-derived maltodextrin is exempt from labeling, as set out in Annex II of EC Directive No 1169/2011.[3] In the United States, however, it is not exempt from allergen declaration per the Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act, and its effect on a voluntary gluten-free claim must be evaluated on a case-by-case basis per the applicable Food and Drug Administration policy."

So if they did import the ingredient, they would still be required to list it on the ingredients like this: maltodextrin (from wheat)

and at the end of the ingredients the allergen declaration would need to say: Contains wheat.

[Elisabeth Gerritsen]

3 hours ago, Scott Adams said:

Since the company is based in Eugene, Oregon it's highly doubtful that they would pay to import the ingredient from Europe, as it would be many times more expensive. It is more likely that the maltodextrin is USA made from corn, but to be 100% sure why not call them?  Let us know what you find out.

Also, in Europe maltodextrin is made from "maize, wheat and potato starch," and not from beer:

• https://www.starch.eu/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/5247.055_starch_eu-fiche-maltodextrine-webC.pdf

According to Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maltodextrin :

• "Maltodextrin can be enzymatically derived from any starch. In the US, this starch is usually corn; in Europe, it is common to use wheat. In the European Union, wheat-derived maltodextrin is exempt from labeling, as set out in Annex II of EC Directive No 1169/2011.[3] In the United States, however, it is not exempt from allergen declaration per the Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act, and its effect on a voluntary gluten-free claim must be evaluated on a case-by-case basis per the applicable Food and Drug Administration policy."

So if they did import the ingredient, they would still be required to list it on the ingredients like this: maltodextrin (from wheat)

and at the end of the ingredients the allergen declaration would need to say: Contains wheat.

Because I live in the Netherlands, and my husband used to work at the DSM-factory (where maltodextrine is made), I know that they used to buy the foam of the beer breweries. This foam is called malt (from malt beer) Hence the name maltodextrin. We have  a few breweries in the south of Holland.  Lately they used patatoes in stead, but after two years of not much rain, potatoes became very expensive. So I am not sure if they went back to  the breweries for malt.

[Awol cast iron stomach]

Just a side note  After my gluten challenge I became intolerant of corn starch, corn dervatives like corn sourced maltodextrin. I also had problems with benzoates ex sodium benzoates. If you are recently diagnosed you may have or developed an intolerance to one of the additive ingredients. Take notes per food dairy to try to determine the culprit.

Good luck