Found Gluten In Nutribiotic Berry Rice Protein Powder

[climbmtwhitney]

Hi all,

Just wanted to let you all know that I detected gluten in Nutribiotic Berry Rice Protein Powder. I used ELISA Technologies EZ gluten test (which tests to 10 ppm). I tested it TWICE. Positive TWICE.

I just wanted to warn all of you with the proper disclaimer of course. I know there was a thread a while back questioning the validity of ELISA's test. But, for what it's worth, the protein powder did test positive. BTW I did wash my hands. I did follow the directions exactly. I did the test twice using 2 different samples. And, I did test 3 other supplements that were all negative.

I tested it because I've been feeling like a dead rat since the beginning of the month. One of my New Year's resolutions was to faithfully take my supplements. So, most days I whip them up in a smoothie adding the protein powder. So, I figured whatever's making me sick must be in the supplements. I think I found it.

The packaging does say "wheat free" and free of all common allergens. However, it also says it's processed using "natural" enzymes. I'm guessing that could be barley like the Rice Dream which also made me sick. I figured it was safe since my nutritionist (who's also Celiac) said to use it. So VERY, very frustrating!

Anyway, I know many of you out there use protein powders. So please use caution with this one. I can't wait to see if I feel better after discontinuing it.

Jill

[dilettantesteph]

Thank you for testing and for posting your results. I talked to the guy at ELISA on the phone for about 45 minutes recently. They have improved the test since the last posts. They changed the pH of the solution which prevented the false positives with vinegar containing products. It still will give false negatives for soy sauce. He said that the soy sauce is cooked so much that the gluten is broken up into too small particles for it to be recognized by the test. (hydrolysis). It can still make us sick though.

I got a positive test for Amys gluten free pizza (cheese) which isn''t surprising because it is processed in a facility that also processes wheat. That was after my son got sick. He had been eating it all along without problems so it was hard to pinpoint the source without testing. He hadn't had anything new. Fortunately I found it on the second test. Those tests are expensive.

[wschmucks]

Hmm I use the vanilla rice protein poweder. I usually use it after I get glutened because its hard for me to eat soild food. I havent noticed a bad reaction from it-- but then again im already feeling bad when i take it-- and im only 3 months gluten-free so I'm still feeling out my reactions. I thought the box specifically said gluten free..??? Where can I get these tester strips?

Just checked and it DOES say gluten free:

Open Original Shared Link

So does the berry flavor:

Open Original Shared Link

Is it possible that the test was wrong? Maybe you got a bad batch or somthing you put in the shake wasn't gluten-free? I hate to think that we cant trust anyone/ product :-(

Feel better soon

[climbmtwhitney]

Hmm I use the vanilla rice protein poweder. I usually use it after I get glutened because its hard for me to eat soild food. I havent noticed a bad reaction from it-- but then again im already feeling bad when i take it-- and im only 3 months gluten-free so I'm still feeling out my reactions. I thought the box specifically said gluten free..??? Where can I get these tester strips?

Just checked and it DOES say gluten free:

Open Original Shared Link

So does the berry flavor:

Open Original Shared Link

Is it possible that the test was wrong? Maybe you got a bad batch or somthing you put in the shake wasn't gluten-free? I hate to think that we cant trust anyone/ product :-(

Feel better soon

Hi.

I got the test strips from ELISA at Open Original Shared Link. They're called EZ Gluten.

I have to say that I only tested the BERRY protein powder--not the vanilla and not the whole shake. I ran the tests twice. It is possible that it's a batch problem. Perhaps they have trouble with CC from time to time. Or, perhaps they're following the old standard of gluten free when it's 200 ppm or less. These strips detect down to 10 ppm.

Having said all that, ultimately I can only judge by how I feel. Today is day 3 without taking the protein powder and I am feeling SO much better. Much more alive! In fact I logged 1 hour on my elliptical plus 1/2 hour of weight training this morning. Best workout, by miles, all month. That's the thing with all this gluten stuff--It's incredibly frustrating that we never know 100% for sure.

Cheers!

Jill

[Nancym]

You should let the company know.

[climbmtwhitney]

You should let the company know.

Done! I wrote to them. I will post their response.

Jill

[wschmucks]

Yes please post their response. I just started using mine again yesterday and today...I'm only 3 months in so i dont know how sensetive i am yet. But I will stop using it until you hear back. :-(

[Happy Holly]

This is a little off topic, but how in the world did you find a nutritionist who is also celiac? I would love to find a nutritionist or dietitian in my area who has a strong knowledge about celiacs. Any suggestions? [i'm in the hampton roads area in Virginia]

I figured it was safe since my nutritionist (who's also Celiac) said to use it. So VERY, very frustrating!

Jill

[wschmucks]

Hey any update from the company? I have used my vanilla powder a few times since this post and have felt ok, my symptoms can be unreliable though.

[climbmtwhitney]

Hey any update from the company? I have used my vanilla powder a few times since this post and have felt ok, my symptoms can be unreliable though.

Hi all,

I wrote to Nutribiotic and their response was that the berry protein powder is fine. They asked me for the lot number, but I had already tossed it in frustration. The best I could do was tell them when and where I purchased it. I am confident there was no mistake in my 2 tests. I was super careful and followed the directions exactly (it's an easy procedure anyway). Perhaps I happened to get a cross-contaminated lot??? In any event, I will not use it anymore. And, I absolutely DO feel better since discontinuing it. That is proof enough for me, but everyone will have to be their own judge. I do wonder though.....if a company (any company, not speaking about Nutribiotic) happened to have sloppy manufacturing processes would they admit it? Hmmmm.

Here's Nutribiotic's response:

Jill, we appreciate hearing feedback from our customers. Could you please

let us know the lot number and expiration date from the container so we may

look into this further?

Random tests are conducted on our Rice Protein. They are tested down to 5

parts per million. None have ever come back positive for gluten. We have

many customers who have allergies to gluten that take our Rice Protein on a

regular bases without a reaction.

We will look forward to hearing back from you.

[Takala]

Almost all of these raw ingredient protein powders are imported from China, because they are cheap, and there is just no way to know for sure what is really in them. China does not have our standards of food manufacturing inspection (not that ours don't need improving after this rotten peanut problem) and what is worse, at the time of import, there is no way to individually inspect every single sample of protein powder in an imported lot.

As to needing extra protein, that's also iffy, it is really hard to eat a diet too low in protein diet unless you are a strict vegan who eats no animal products and are not being careful to eat a varied diet. Extra protein is not used by the body nor saved up for when you need it. You'd be much better off just eating rice, or better yet, something else more nutritious. There are MANY things you can put in a smoothie to thicken it that would work better and be safer.

[snowgirl]

I never knew there was an at home test - do you know if it is the same test Univ of Nebraska uses (I think theres is ELISA test), and is it considered accurate? If so I will order some. I looked at the web site and it is much cheaper than sending in for testing. Thanks for the info

sarah