Salsa

[GFManiac]

I eat a lot of this and seem to always buy a different brand. Does anyone know of brands that do contain gluten for me to avoid?

Thanks!

[Guest nini]

I don't know any specifically that DO contain gluten, although I know Old El Paso makes quite a few gluten containing products, and I've heard that their salsa may be contaminated even if the ingredients are ok. But I don't know for sure. I just avoid Old El Paso products.

I do know that Green Mountain Gringo Salsa is LABELED gluten free! And I would much rather support a company that is aware of the needs of the gluten free community.

Also, I believe Pace Picante Salsa is gluten-free as is their mild Enchilada sauce.

[lotusgem]

Nisla,

thanks for the warning about Old El Paso! I have some of their tostada shells in the pantry right now, and I could have sworn that they were o.k. I see that they are made by General Mills, so absolutely, they would make lots of gluten-containing products.

I haven't had a reaction from them or the taco shells, but maybe like Quaker Oats, they are a company to avoid.

Maniac,

we used to go through tons of store bought salsa until I went on the diet and happened accross this recipe for homemade salsa. It is delicious! Tastes like the salsa served in Mexican restaurants...fresh. I make a batch, and depending on how many tortilla chips the three of us plow through, it lasts about a week. Try it, you'll like it!

Paula

Homemade Salsa

2 (14.5 oz. cans diced tomatoes with the juice)

6 serrano peppers, chopped (or can use a few jalapenos)

1/2 large onion, chopped

juice of 2 limes

4 cloves garlic, minced

1/2 cup cilantro, chopped

1 t. salt (or more to taste)

1/2 t. pepper

6 dashes hot pepper sauce (more or less depending on how hot you want it)

Put it in a food processor and pulse a few times to desired consistency.

Pour into container and refrigerate.

[jknnej]

I personally stay away from most salsas because most of them contain vinegar. I used Green Mountain Gringo or Amy's. I don't want to take my chances with vinegar. I think Amy's uses apple cider vinegar, which works for us.

[Carriefaith]

Old El Paso is contaminated! Nice...

Are you sure? Has anyone confirmed this with the company. I thought that Old El Paso was ok, I eat a lot of their stuff.

I know that Humpty Dumpty and Tortilla (Lays) stuff is contaminated and I will not eat that stuff.

[KaitiUSA]

Old El Paso is supposed to be a good brand that will not hide any gluten on labels either.(like a Kraft brand)

[Carriefaith]

Thanks Kati, that's what I thought. But does that mean they would only indicate gluten on the label or would thay also indicate if the product could be contaminated such as "may contain traces of wheat"?

[lotusgem]

Hi Carrie,

I called Old El Paso today, because of the above information. What they told me was that there is no hidden gluten in their products. I asked about dedicated lines and they said that if the product is made on a line that is also used for gluten-containing foods, then they will indicate this on the package, in that, it will mention the name of the offending food. They also stated that they do not release gluten-free lists because their formulations can change at any time, and stressed that we always read the labels.

I don't know. It seems like there is sometimes conflicting information that can come directly from the company, depending on who we talk to. From what they said to me, their products would appear to be safe. (Where's the Magic 8 ball when you need it?)

Paula

[Guest nini]

like anything you have to make whatever decisions you are comfortable with, me personally, I don't feel comfortable with Old El Paso products. I got the info about them being contaminated from a local celiac group but I didn't personally verify it with the company. If you have heard otherwise that they are safe and won't hide any wheat or gluten then ok fine, and the only product I know for SURE has wheat in it (other than flour tortillas) is the enchilada sauce.

[Carriefaith]

Paula.

Thanks so much for your reply and help. Now I can keep eating their products and feel safe! as long as I keep reading the labels

[lovegrov]

The product information we get -- whether it's from this board, support groups, other people with celiac, or even the companies -- is always something of a crapshoot. I know I've given wrong info. CSA is known to give out bad info. I tend to rely on the companies, although there are exceptions.

richard

[GFManiac]

Thanks for the info and recipe! Maybe I should start a new thread, but can anyone clarify the vinegar situation? If it just says "vinegar" on the package, is that questionable?

[lotusgem]

If something manufactured in the U.S.A. says "vinegar," then it signifies apple cider vinegar and is safe. There is disagreement on the safety of distilled vinegar. I was told by the CSA that it would be best avoided. Apparently the distillation process can filter out almost all the gluten that came from the grains that went into making the vinegar, but not all of it. And the philosophy is such that if it has any gluten, even miniscule amounts, it is not safe for Celiacs. I never use distilled vinegar, because I had a bad reaction to a product that contained it. But as far as I can tell, most (but not all) of the people on this board who have responded to the vinegar question feel fine using anything except malt vinegar. You should probably look up one of the previous threads on the subject.

Hope this helps.

Paula

[jknnej]

I personally cannot tolerate distilled vinegar. I tried A1 Steaksause which is gluten free but has distilled vinegar. I had a terrible reaction, and I know others on this board have, too.

I personally stay AWAY from distilled vinegar.

[macman]

If something manufactured in the U.S.A. says "vinegar," then it signifies apple cider vinegar and is safe. There is disagreement on the safety of distilled vinegar. I was told by the CSA that it would be best avoided. Apparently the distillation process can filter out almost all the gluten that came from the grains that went into making the vinegar, but not all of it. And the philosophy is such that if it has any gluten, even miniscule amounts, it is not safe for Celiacs. I never use distilled vinegar, because I had a bad reaction to a product that contained it. But as far as I can tell, most (but not all) of the people on this board who have responded to the vinegar question feel fine using anything except malt vinegar. You should probably look up one of the previous threads on the subject.

Hope this helps.

Paula

I doubt that "vinegar" on a USA label translates to apple cider vinegar, where did you get this info. My guess would be "vinegar" means white/distilled/grain vinegar.

[mytummyhurts]

I know that this post is supposed to be about non-gluten-free salsa. But I just wanted to say that I love Amy's salsa which is gluten-free. I like it even better than the stuff I was eating before all this.

[lotusgem]

Macman,

my information came from the CSA. If you still have doubts, then you can always call them and talk with them yourself.

Paula

[Wandering Hermit]

Make your own... it is so much better and you will be 100% safe.

Also it does not take long at all.

Here is what I do. First, I never measure anything, because I like my salsa to always taste different from batch to batch.

I put the following in a blender, in the approximate amounts:

10 roma tomatoes

3 jalapenos

1 medium purple onion

6 cloves of garlic

handful of fresh cilantro

fresh lime juice

salt

maybe some tomatillas too

I grind it up coarse and then throw it in a pot and warm it up on the stove. That's all! Eat it and season it as you go.

[mommida]

Old El Paso salsa made me sick. I stick with Amy's.

Laura

[sunshine20]

Chachie's clearly labels their salsa containers with 'gluten free'. Can't miss it as it's the only other wording on the top and front of the container besides their company name and the 'hotness' of the salsa. Just picked up a container of the mild last night (I'm a big wimp and don't like spicy food!), made gluten-free enchiladas with it and also had some chips and salsa. Wonderful flavor! Emailed the company this morning with my thanks for labeling so clearly. Honestly, I had another brand in my cart and the Chachies just jumped out at me.

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Michelle in IL