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

Reading Labels

hathor

Recommended Posts

hathor Contributor
hathor
Posted

I'm curious as to how you all deal with ingredient labels that say something may contain traces of something, is shared with the same machinery as something, or is processed in the same facility as something.

Do you run for the hills? Find it is usually safe (the lawyers just want the company to protect itself)? Or does it vary (sometimes you react, sometimes you don't)?

Does it make a difference if you are talking about gluten or something else where you have a sensitivity, but not an allergy?

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

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


CarlaB Enthusiast
CarlaB
Posted

I seem to be okay with these products. I think most of the time it's a CYA statement, though I know some around here avoid them entirely. That being said, I don't eat many processed foods ...

ravenwoodglass Mentor
ravenwoodglass
Posted

I consider them basically a crap shoot. With some products I will react any time I eat them, with others one time things will be fine and another they won't. I get neuro effects, so lucky me, I usually know fairly quickly that I have been got. I start tipping over within a short time. :blink: For me it depends on how much I really want the product and whether a gluten-free alternative is readily available. I am lucky to live near a Wegmans, they label all safe products which has made shopping much less worrysome.

celiacgirls Apprentice
celiacgirls
Posted

I avoid anything that says "may contain traces of ...". For me, I might take a chance with casein or soy but I wouldn't let my kids because they react to tiny amounts.

I used to buy the ones that said "manufactured in a facility that uses ..." but I have noticed my children have reacted to some of those. For now, I will avoid the ones they have reacted to and look for alternatives in the ones we are not sure about. If no alternative is available, I might let them try it, depending on the circumstances.

Guest cassidy
Guest cassidy
Posted

I steer clear of almost all of that stuff. I am very sensitive and I have tried not worrying about it but I always end up getting sick. I also call or check the website if the product doesn't mention what else is produced in the area because I want to know. I wish I wasn't that sensitive because there are plenty of foods that are supposed to be gluten-free that I love and have had to give up because they get me sick.

I'm sure you will figure out just how sensitive you are and what works best for you.

Aizlynn Rookie
Aizlynn
Posted

I agree, it is a very confusing issue, but what upset me was this morning I was eating my "Wheat Free" waffles from trader joes, and on the back it says made on equipment containing wheat!! I have always prided myself by eating healthy by shopping at TJ's but I am finding more and more that their products are always made on shared equipment. just a note :) and I guess a whine :(

hathor Contributor
hathor
Posted
  • Author

I appreciate everyone's comments. I think I will stay away from the "traces" ones for everything and any "machinery" involving wheat. I can always revisit the issue if I find I am more sensitive. Of course, I will keep track of any adverse reactions.

I feel better having a plan, even if I'm not completely sure it is the right one :huh:

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

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


Yenni Enthusiast
Yenni
Posted

I seem to be very sensitive, so I stay away. I have gotten sick from both "Casein has been used on the same mashine" and " soy is used in the same facility".

I have even felt iffy on Bob's Mills stuff that is supposed to be tested.

When it comes to my allergies I have always been fine with "may contain nuts". Probably shouldn't keep non with that, not that it happens often.

jcford33 Rookie
jcford33
Posted

I eat a lot of Frito Lay products. Their gluten free list also contains the facility and machinery warning, but I've had good luck with them and trust them more than some. I do stay away from the smaller companies with the same warning due to the facility size. When it comes to a facility/machinery warning, I think it's a lot like eating out. You know your taking a little bit of a risk, but it's a chance we all take to live a halfway normal life.

Is the facility/machinery warning required by the FDA, or is it just a courtesy from the companies?

hathor Contributor
hathor
Posted
  • Author

Is the facility/machinery warning required by the FDA, or is it just a courtesy from the companies?

As I understand it, it is not required. I don't know if having such labels is a courtesy or an attempt to immunize themselves from lawsuits :rolleyes:

Under the Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act of 2004, any covered product labeled after January 1, 2006 must specify if it contains one or more of the major allergens. According to the FDA, any advisory statement is not supposed to be a substitute for good manufacturing practices and must be truthful. Further: "FALCPA's labeling requirements do not apply to major food allergens that are unintentionally added to a food as the result of cross-contact. In the context of food allergens, "cross-contact " occurs when a residue or other trace amount of an allergenic food is unintentionally incorporated into another food that is not intended to contain that allergenic food. Cross-contact may result from customary methods of growing and harvesting crops, as well as from the use of shared storage, transportation, or production equipment." Open Original Shared Link

Gee, I kind of wish you hadn't asked and caused me to research this. :blink: It makes me pretty scared about products that don't even bother with advisory statements. They could have all sorts of things in them "unintentionally."

Yenni Enthusiast
Yenni
Posted

As I understand it, it is not required. I don't know if having such labels is a courtesy or an attempt to immunize themselves from lawsuits :rolleyes:

Under the Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act of 2004, any covered product labeled after January 1, 2006 must specify if it contains one or more of the major allergens. According to the FDA, any advisory statement is not supposed to be a substitute for good manufacturing practices and must be truthful. Further: "FALCPA's labeling requirements do not apply to major food allergens that are unintentionally added to a food as the result of cross-contact. In the context of food allergens, "cross-contact " occurs when a residue or other trace amount of an allergenic food is unintentionally incorporated into another food that is not intended to contain that allergenic food. Cross-contact may result from customary methods of growing and harvesting crops, as well as from the use of shared storage, transportation, or production equipment." Open Original Shared Link

Gee, I kind of wish you hadn't asked and caused me to research this. :blink: It makes me pretty scared about products that don't even bother with advisory statements. They could have all sorts of things in them "unintentionally."

Looks like possible cross contamination risks does NOT have to be labeled then.

Archived

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

Go to topic listing
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):


  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      132,144
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748
    Jenny0384
    Newest Member
    Jenny0384
    Joined
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):

  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      121.5k
    • Total Posts
      1m
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):



  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):


  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • trents
      Headaches / Migraines and Hypoglycaemia

      By trents · Posted

      My migraines generally have their onset during the early morning hours as well. Presently, I am under siege with them, having headaches all but two days so far this month. I have looked at all the things reported to be common triggers (foods, sleep patterns, weather patterns, stress, etc.). Every time I think I start to see a pattern it proves not to pan out in the long run. I'm not sure it's any one thing but may, instead, be a combination of things that coalesce at certain times. It's very frustrating. The medication (sumatriptan or "Imatrix") is effective and is the only thing that will quell the pain. NSAIDs, Tylenol, even hydrocodone doesn't touch it. But they only give you 9 does of sumatriptan a month. And it doesn't help that medical science doesn't really know what causes migraines. They know some things about it but the root cause is still a mystery.
    • Scott Adams
      Tamale ingredients

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      These are labeled gluten-free: https://www.amazon.com/Corn-Husks-Tamales-Authentic-Flavorful/dp/B01MDSHUTM/
    • Wheatwacked
      GI DX celiac despite neg serology and no biopsy

      By Wheatwacked · Posted

      Just a gluten free diet is not enough.  Now you have to identify and replenish your malnutrition.  Celiac disease is co-morbid with malabsorption syndrome.  Low vitamin D, Low Thiamine caused Gastointeston Beriberi, low choline, low iodine are common the general population, and in newly diagnosed Celiacs in the western culture its is more likely.  It takes time to heal and you need to focus on vitamins and minerals.  Gluten free foods are not fortified like regular processed foods.  
    • Sarah Grace
      Headaches / Migraines and Hypoglycaemia

      By Sarah Grace · Posted

      Dear Kitty Since March I have been following your recommendations regarding vitamins to assist with various issues that I have been experiencing.  To recap, I am aged 68 and was late diagnosed with Celiac about 12 years ago.  I had been experiencing terrible early morning headaches which I had self diagnosed as hypoglycaemia.  I also mentioned that I had issues with insomnia, vertigo and brain fog.   It's now one year since I started on the Benfotiamine 600 mg/day.  I am still experiencing the hypoglycaemia and it's not really possible to say for sure whether the Benfotiamine is helpful.  In March this year, I added B-Complex Thiamine Hydrochloride and Magnesium L-Threonate on a daily basis, and I am now confident to report that the insomnia and vertigo and brain fog have all improved!!  So, very many thanks for your very helpful advice. I am now less confident that the early morning headaches are caused by hypoglycaemia, as even foods with a zero a GI rating (cheese, nuts, etc) can cause really server headaches, which sometimes require migraine medication in order to get rid off.  If you are able to suggest any other treatment I would definitely give it a try, as these headaches are a terrible burden.  Doctors in the UK have very limited knowledge concerning dietary issues, and I do not know how to get reliable advice from them. Best regards,
    • knitty kitty
      High DGP-A with normal IGA

      By knitty kitty · Posted

      @rei.b,  I understand how frustrating starting a new way of eating can be.  I tried all sorts of gluten-free processed foods and just kept feeling worse.  My health didn't improve until I started the low histamine AIP diet.  It makes a big difference.   Gluten fits into opioid receptors in our bodies.  So, removing gluten can cause withdrawal symptoms and reveals the underlying discomfort.  SIBO can cause digestive symptoms.  SIBO can prevent vitamins from being absorbed by the intestines.  Thiamine insufficiency causes Gastrointestinal Beriberi (bloating, abdominal pain, nausea, diarrhea or constipation).  Thiamine is the B vitamin that runs out first because it can only be stored for two weeks.  We need more thiamine when we're sick or under emotional stress.  Gastric Beriberi is under recognised by doctors.  An Erythrocyte Transketolace Activity test is more accurate than a blood test for thiamine deficiency, but the best way to see if you're low in thiamine is to take it and look for health improvement.  Don't take Thiamine Mononitrate because the body can't utilize it well.  Try Benfotiamine.  Thiamine is water soluble, nontoxic and safe even at high doses.  I thought it was crazy, too, but simple vitamins and minerals are important.  The eight B vitamins work together, so a B Complex, Benfotiamine,  magnesium and Vitamin D really helped get my body to start healing, along with the AIP diet.  Once you heal, you add foods back in, so the AIP diet is worth doing for a few months. I do hope you'll consider the AIP diet and Benfotiamine.
×
×
  • 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.