Spices And Seasonings....

[Canadian Girl]

This is a HUGE question that has been bothering me... If the ingredients list "spices" or "seasonings" can gluten hide in those???? I was told that yes, companies can hide gluten in the product if it just says spices b/c it isn't actually disclosing what is in the spices... what?! why would they do that? i've been buying organic stuff that lists all the spices and seasonings and avoiding any that don't.. like i've been told that most kethup is fine.. but how can i know what isn't fine? just call call call???

[psawyer]

Seasonings could contain almost anything, including wheat flour.

Spices do not include anything that contains gluten. Gluten grains are not spices, and can not be labeled as spices.

[T.H.]

Honestly, I would call if the product doesn't say gluten free.

On top of that, I would hunt down what the labeling laws are in your country; that may provide some help. Here in the States, if the seasonings contained wheat, that would have to be labeled as containing wheat. However, the same is not true of rye and barley.

As for spices...I honestly don't know. I'm not sure what the term 'spices' is defined as for differing countries. I imagine there might be some variation, yes?

I think calling would still be worthwhile. From what I've read, whether they have gluten would depend somewhat on the country, the company, and the food. Something (usually cornstarch here in the States) can be is added to spice mixtures to help the flow and prevent clumping, but usually that is NOT a gluten based product. On rare occasions, however, it can be. For many larger companies that buy their spices individually for use in their products, gluten is not likely to be a problem unless there is some contamination issue within their factory.

However, for smaller companies, who might buy spice mixtures from another source, pre-blended, perhaps that might be an issue?

This is a HUGE question that has been bothering me... If the ingredients list "spices" or "seasonings" can gluten hide in those???? I was told that yes, companies can hide gluten in the product if it just says spices b/c it isn't actually disclosing what is in the spices... what?! why would they do that? i've been buying organic stuff that lists all the spices and seasonings and avoiding any that don't.. like i've been told that most kethup is fine.. but how can i know what isn't fine? just call call call???

[psawyer]

In Canada, the word "spices" in an ingredient list can not be used to disguise grain products. "Spices" refers to individual spices such as allspice, cinnamon, and cloves, etc., and herbs such as thyme, sage, savory, etc. Flours and starches are not spices and can not be labeled as spices.

[verushka1974]

I wasn't getting better on my gluten-free diet and after many months it ocurred to me that maybe it was the spices I was using- even though gluten (wheat, rye or barley) wasn't listed on the ingredients- sure enough, I called the company and they said that they processed gluten in the same factory and to be aware of the cross contamination issue. In the US companies are not required to inform of other allergens that could come in contact with the product - that is just voluntarily- like Wholefoods does with their 365 brand. They are just require to list the ingredients they actaully add to the product. So beware of the cross contamination issue. Better to call the company. I don't know about the weather where you live but I personally only use salt and spices such as thyme, rosemary, sage, oregano, cilatro, basil, parsley I buy them in pots at my local nursery and done! If I can't find them in their "natural" state I just don't buy them.