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

Cross Contamination From Gluten Free Oats?

Roda

Recommended Posts

Roda Rising Star
Roda
Posted

I react badly to certified gluten free oats. I get severe abdominal pain, cramping, bloating, heartburn, bowel troubles and rash on my back side. I do use alot of Bob's products and Bob's does process gluten free oats. If these, and probably are, are processed in the same facility as the other gluten free grains, could the cross contamination in sensitive people cause an elevation in antibodies? I have recently ruled out everything under the sun for my symptoms over the last six months plus and the doctor said I am definately having a flare of the celiac. I had my antibody tests redone and the gliadin IgG is still elevated (strong positive) and has been for the last 1 1/2 years everything else is alright at this point. I am grasping at reasons for this. I am making more changes at my house, but I don't think that it is enough. I did email the company many months ago concerning this question and recieved no reponse back.

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

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


ravenwoodglass Mentor
ravenwoodglass
Posted

If I remember correctly Bob's gluten free items are made in a dedicated plant, could be wrong though. Do keep in mind that there seem to be more of us that don't tolerate oats than do. You may be one of us who doesn't.

GlutenFreeManna Rising Star
GlutenFreeManna
Posted

I have read that some react to Oats the same as Wheat, Barley and Rye. Some lists even list oats as containing gluten though I think that is debatable. I have tried some certified gluten free oats and did okay with them but I don't eat them very often because I have read so much about oats (and other gluten-free grains) being cross-contaminated if not in the factory then in the fields themselves.

glutenfr3309 Rookie
glutenfr3309
Posted

I react badly to certified gluten free oats. I get severe abdominal pain, cramping, bloating, heartburn, bowel troubles and rash on my back side. I do use alot of Bob's products and Bob's does process gluten free oats. If these, and probably are, are processed in the same facility as the other gluten free grains, could the cross contamination in sensitive people cause an elevation in antibodies? I have recently ruled out everything under the sun for my symptoms over the last six months plus and the doctor said I am definately having a flare of the celiac. I had my antibody tests redone and the gliadin IgG is still elevated (strong positive) and has been for the last 1 1/2 years everything else is alright at this point. I am grasping at reasons for this. I am making more changes at my house, but I don't think that it is enough. I did email the company many months ago concerning this question and recieved no reponse back.

gluten-free oats make me sick (i think). i'm going to try them one more time just to make sure it wasn't something else that i ate since i typically won't feel some effects until days later. it's a shame because i loved eating oatmeal for breakfast. i used to EVERYDAY a year ago!

Roda Rising Star
Roda
Posted
  • Author

Thanks for the input. :) My question is not if I could have a problem with gluten free oats, as I already know that I do. Rather, could the potential cross contamination from the gluten free oats with other gluten free grains cause problems especially with the antibodies? Bob's does process the gluten free stuff in a dedicated facility so it would stand to reason that they would process their gluten free oats there as well.

Edit: I just spoke to a rep and the gluten free oats are processed in the same facility and lines as the other gluten free products. They have a clean down process of high powered air and then discard the first 30 lb of product during the first run. I may just try to find a different brand and see if it makes a difference. Bum too, since Bob's stuff is readily available to me.

dilettantesteph Collaborator
dilettantesteph
Posted

I also react to gluten free oats. It was like the gluten reaction, but I think that it was more severe. I had the same conversation with Bob's and did feel better when I stopped eating their products. I felt better when I switched to gluten free pantry. Now I process my own whole grains. I hope that it makes an improvement in your health.

tarnalberry Community Regular
tarnalberry
Posted

I don't know if BRM sources gluten free growers (like Cream Hill Estates). If not, there could be contamination from the fields (since oats are usually grown in rotation with wheat). You might try a dedicated grower. Otherwise, I would assume you are one of the 1-in-10 who react to the oat protein with a celiac reaction.

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

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


GlutenFreeManna Rising Star
GlutenFreeManna
Posted

Thanks for the input. :) My question is not if I could have a problem with gluten free oats, as I already know that I do. Rather, could the potential cross contamination from the gluten free oats with other gluten free grains cause problems especially with the antibodies? Bob's does process the gluten free stuff in a dedicated facility so it would stand to reason that they would process their gluten free oats there as well.

Edit: I just spoke to a rep and the gluten free oats are processed in the same facility and lines as the other gluten free products. They have a clean down process of high powered air and then discard the first 30 lb of product during the first run. I may just try to find a different brand and see if it makes a difference. Bum too, since Bob's stuff is readily available to me.

Okay, now I understand what you were asking better. This could explain why I react to anything by Bob's Red Mill (even though I don't react to gluten-free oats made by other companies). I don't buy their gluten-free products anymore, which is a shame because they are the most common ones around here. I wonder what their testing criteria is for gluten free? How many PPM do they allow in their oats and other products?

Skylark Collaborator
Skylark
Posted

My bag of Bob's oats says they are grown in dedicated fields and tested for gluten. I looked at the website and they're using the R5 elisa which is quite sensitive. R5 does NOT detect aveenin, so they are not testing their other flours for any sort of oat CC.

I found a 2006 post on this forum that quoted the BRM website as saying they cut off at 20 ppm. The link is dead and I'm not finding a ppm limit on the current website. I found a Facebook page talking about the testing and they seem to have carefully avoided putting a number on the ppm gluten there as well.

sunnybabi1986 Contributor
sunnybabi1986
Posted

Okay, now I understand what you were asking better. This could explain why I react to anything by Bob's Red Mill (even though I don't react to gluten-free oats made by other companies). I don't buy their gluten-free products anymore, which is a shame because they are the most common ones around here. I wonder what their testing criteria is for gluten free? How many PPM do they allow in their oats and other products?

Here is Bob's Red Mill's explanation on their gluten free oats: Open Original Shared Link

It doesn't list how many ppm they test to, but I'm sure they'd be happy to tell you if call them :)

Roda Rising Star
Roda
Posted
  • Author

I looked at the website and they're using the R5 elisa which is quite sensitive. R5 does NOT detect aveenin, so they are not testing their other flours for any sort of oat CC.

Yes this was what I was wondering about the CC from aveenin. I guess I didn't explain myself well. :P I just don't know what to do with all of the stuff I have around. I'm also not looking forward to the cost of replacing it all either.

Roda Rising Star
Roda
Posted
  • Author

I also react to gluten free oats. It was like the gluten reaction, but I think that it was more severe. I had the same conversation with Bob's and did feel better when I stopped eating their products. I felt better when I switched to gluten free pantry. Now I process my own whole grains. I hope that it makes an improvement in your health.

Wher do you buy your grains?

dilettantesteph Collaborator
dilettantesteph
Posted

Wher do you buy your grains?

I get my sorghum from Twin Valley Mills. They clean their harvesting equipment for two days before harvest. Nontheless it is shared and I found a wheat berry after sorting through over 30 pounds of sorghum, so I sort and wash. Quinoa I get from Ancient Harvest and also wash (with soap), I stopped eating buckwheat, but the best source seemed to be Burkett Mills. My millet source had no wheat growing within 100 miles and a dedicated facility but I found about 100 wheat berries in a 30 lb bag so I won't give you their name. I got better stuff from Eden Organics. It seems O.K. if I sort and wash. Rice from Lundbergs. Teff from The Teff Company.

I am very sensitive. A typical celiac shouldn't have to do all the sorting and washing.

Archived

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

Go to topic listing

  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Celiac.com:
    Join eNewsletter
    Donate
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A17):
    Celiac.com Sponsor (A17):



    Celiac.com Sponsors (A17-M):



  • Recent Activity

    1. tiffanygosci
      - tiffanygosci posted a topic in Coping with Celiac Disease
      0

      New Celiac Mama in My 30s

      Hello all! My life in the last five years has been crazy. I got married in 2020 at the age of 27, pregnant with our first child almost two months later, gave birth in 2021. We had another baby in April of 2023 and our last baby this March of 2025. I had some issues after my second but nothing ever made me think, "I should see a doctor about this." After...
    2. knitty kitty
      - knitty kitty replied to klmgarland's topic in Dermatitis Herpetiformis
      8

      Help I’m cross contaminating myself,

      On the AIP diet, all processed foods are eliminated. This includes gluten-free bread. You'll be eating meats and vegetables, mostly. Meats that are processed, like sausages, sandwich meats, bacons, chicken nuggets, etc., are eliminated as well. Veggies should be fresh, or frozen without other ingredients like sauces or seasonings. Nightshade vegetables...
    3. Yaya
      - Yaya replied to Jhona's topic in Introduce Yourself / Share Stuff
      29

      Does anyone here also have Afib

      Thank you for responding and for prayers. So sorry for your struggles, I will keep you in mine. You are so young to have so many struggles, mine are mild by comparison. I didn't have Celiac Disease (celiac disease) until I had my gallbladder removed 13 years ago; at least nothing I was aware of. Following surgery: multiple symptoms/oddities appeared including...
    4. larc
      - larc replied to Jhona's topic in Introduce Yourself / Share Stuff
      29

      Does anyone here also have Afib

      When I accidentally consume gluten it compromises the well-being of my heart and arteries. Last time I had a significant exposure, about six months ago, I had AFib for about ten days. It came on every day around dinner time. After the ten days or so it went away and hasn't come back. My cardiologist offered me a collection of pharmaceuticals at the time...
    5. klmgarland
      - klmgarland replied to klmgarland's topic in Dermatitis Herpetiformis
      8

      Help I’m cross contaminating myself,

      So I should not eat my gluten free bread? I will try the vitamins. Thank you all so very much for your ideas and understanding. I'm feeling better today and have gathered back my composure! Thank you kitty kitty I am going to look this diet up right away. And read the paleo diet and really see if I can make this a better situation then it currently...
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):


  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      131,918
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748
    Dottie78
    Newest Member
    Dottie78
    Joined
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):

  • Forum Statistics

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



  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):


  • Who's Online (See full list)

  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • tiffanygosci
      New Celiac Mama in My 30s

      By tiffanygosci · Posted

      Hello all! My life in the last five years has been crazy. I got married in 2020 at the age of 27, pregnant with our first child almost two months later, gave birth in 2021. We had another baby in April of 2023 and our last baby this March of 2025. I had some issues after my second but nothing ever made me think, "I should see a doctor about this." After having my last baby this year, my body has finally started to find its new rhythm and balance...but things started to feel out of sorts. A lot of symptoms were convoluted with postpartum symptoms, and, to top it all off, my cycle came back about 4m postpartum. I was having reoccurring migraines, nausea, joint pain, numbness in my right arm, hand and fingers, tummy problems, hives. I finally went to my PCP in August just for a wellness check and I brought up my ailments. I'm so thankful for a doctor that listens and is thorough. He ended up running a food allergy panel, an environmental respiratory panel, and a celiac panel. I found out I was allergic to wheat, allergic to about every plant and dust mites, and I did have celiac. I had an endoscopy done on October 3 and my results confirmed celiac in the early stages! I am truly blessed to have an answer to my issues. When I eat gluten, my brain feels like it's on fire and like someone is squeezing it. I can't think straight and I zone out easily. My eyes can't focus. I get a super bad migraine and nausea. I get so tired and irritable and anxious. My body hurts sometimes and my gut gets bloated, gassy, constipated, and ends with bowel movements. All this time I thought I was just having mom brain or feeling the effects of postpartum, sleep deprivation, and the like (which I probably was having and the celiac disease just ramped it up!) I have yet to see a dietician but I've already been eating and shopping gluten-free. My husband and I have been working on turning our kitchen 100% gluten-free (we didn't think this would be so expensive but he assured me that my health is worth all the money in the world). There are still a few things to replace and clean. I'm already getting tired of reading labels. I even replaced some of my personal hygiene care for myself and the kids because they were either made with oats or not labeled gluten-free. I have already started feeling better but have made some mistakes along the way or have gotten contamination thrown into the mix. It's been hard! Today I joked that I got diagnosed at the worst time of the year with all the holidays coming up. I will just need to bring my own food to have and to share. It will be okay but different after years of eating "normally". Today I ordered in person at Chipotle and was trying not to feel self-conscious as the line got long because they were following food-allergy protocols. It's all worth it to be the healthiest version of myself for me and my family. I would be lying if I said I wasn't a little overwhelmed and a little overloaded!  I am thankful for this community and I look forward to learning more from you all. I need the help, that's for sure!
    • knitty kitty
      Help I’m cross contaminating myself,

      By knitty kitty · Posted

      On the AIP diet, all processed foods are eliminated.  This includes gluten-free bread.  You'll be eating meats and vegetables, mostly.  Meats that are processed, like sausages, sandwich meats, bacons, chicken nuggets, etc., are eliminated as well.  Veggies should be fresh, or frozen without other ingredients like sauces or seasonings.  Nightshade vegetables (eggplant, potatoes, tomatoes, peppers) are excluded.  They contain alkaloids that promote a leaky gut and inflammation.  Dairy and eggs are also eliminated.   I know it sounds really stark, but eating this way really improved my health.  The AIP diet can be low in nutrients, and, with malabsorption, it's important to supplement vitamins and minerals.  
    • Yaya
      Does anyone here also have Afib

      By Yaya · Posted

      Thank you for responding and for prayers.  So sorry for your struggles, I will keep you in mine.  You are so young to have so many struggles, mine are mild by comparison.  I didn't have Celiac Disease (celiac disease) until I had my gallbladder removed 13 years ago; at least nothing I was aware of.  Following surgery: multiple symptoms/oddities appeared including ridges on fingernails, eczema, hair falling out in patches, dry eyes, upset stomach constantly and other weird symptoms that I don't really remember.  Gastro did tests and endoscopy and verified celiac disease. Re heart: I was born with Mitral Valve Prolapse (MVP) and an irregular heartbeat, yet heart was extremely strong.  It was difficult to pick up the irregular heartbeat on the EKG per cardiologist.  I had Covid at 77, recovered in 10 days and 2 weeks later developed long Covid. What the doctors and nurses called the "kickoff to long Covid, was A-fib.  I didn't know what was going on with my heart and had ignored early symptoms as some kind of passing aftereffect stemming from Covid.  I was right about where it came from, but wrong on it being "passing".  I have A-fib as my permanent reminder of Covid and take Flecainide every morning and night and will for the rest of my life to stabilize my heartbeat.   
    • larc
      Does anyone here also have Afib

      By larc · Posted

      When I accidentally consume gluten it compromises the well-being of my heart and arteries. Last time I had a significant exposure, about six months ago, I had AFib for about ten days. It came on every day around dinner time. After the ten days or so it went away and hasn't come back.  My cardiologist offered me a collection of pharmaceuticals at the time.  But I passed on them. 
    • klmgarland
      Help I’m cross contaminating myself,

      By klmgarland · Posted

      So I should not eat my gluten free bread?  I will try the vitamins.  Thank you all so very much for your ideas and understanding.  I'm feeling better today and have gathered back my composure! Thank you kitty kitty   I am going to look this diet up right away.  And read the paleo diet and really see if I can make this a better situation then it currently is.  
×
×
  • 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.