Rice Chex

[Cheryl-C]

The gluten-free-status of Chex has been beaten to death on this board, I know. Forgive me!

Has anyone reacted to only one kind of Chex? I've been eating Honey Chex and Corn Chex with no problems at all. The last three days I've been eating Rice Chex, and I think I've finally figured out that that's maybe what's been making me sick. A bit nauseous, bloated, bowel cramps ... weird. I don't normally get nauseous with gluten (just bloating/cramping/D) so that's kind of strange anyway. But if that's what's happening, is it possible that it's only with the Rice Chex? BTW, I eat rice ALL the time without problems. And no, it's not a dairy thing - I've been eating them dry.

Thanks!

[dilettantesteph]

I had problems with rice chex and not rice. I didn't try the flavored ones as I figured they would be worse. I imagine that some boxes are probably worse than others. That might be it.

[Skylark]

There is nothing in Rice Chex that isn't in Honey Nut. I agree with Steph that you probably just got a bad box.

[Cheryl-C]

Ok, thanks for the ideas. I guess you're right, the box just might be off. How does that happen though? Isn't it made a dedicated facility? Arg!

[Skylark]

  On 12/2/2010 at 5:54 PM, Cheryl_C said:

Ok, thanks for the ideas. I guess you're right, the box just might be off. How does that happen though? Isn't it made a dedicated facility? Arg!

I don't think the Rice Chex are from a dedicated facility. Jerseyangel called General Mills a while back and they said the Rice Chex are made on dedicated lines. is the thread. That was a while back, before the Betty Crocker dedicated facility. You might give a call or email again and ask exactly what they're doing. Also, double-check my ingredient list reading on your boxes of Chex to be sure there is nothing else you could react to. I don't think I saw anything in Rice Chex that isn't in Honey Nut but the boxes are more accurate than the website.

I am not completely sure why some people react to Rice Chex, since foods made on dedicated lines are generally pretty safe.

[Cheryl-C]

Thanks Skylark. Isn't it weird, about who reacts to what?

I brought up my cereal boxes:

gluten-free HONEY NUT CHEX

Corn meal

Sugar

Whole grain corn

Honey

Salt

Molassess

Brown sugar syrup

Canola and/or rice bran oil

Natural almond flavour

Natural flavour

BHT added to preserve freshness.

gluten-free RICE CHEX

Rice

Whole grain rice

Sugar

Salt

Molasses

Vitamin E (mixed tocopherols)

BHT added to preserve freshness.

So ....

[dilettantesteph]

Rice and wheat can be grown in rotation, and shared harvesting equipment can be used. Unless the rice is sourced very carefully, the dedicated facility won't be enough.

[Cheryl-C]

  On 12/3/2010 at 2:55 AM, dilettantesteph said:

Rice and wheat can be grown in rotation, and shared harvesting equipment can be used. Unless the rice is sourced very carefully, the dedicated facility won't be enough.

Oh wow, I never even considered that ... I wonder if that's the issue. The corn ones don't give me any trouble at all, but I really think these rice ones may have been the culprit - or at least part of it. Thanks!

[kareng]

  On 12/3/2010 at 2:55 AM, dilettantesteph said:

Rice and wheat can be grown in rotation, and shared harvesting equipment can be used. Unless the rice is sourced very carefully, the dedicated facility won't be enough.

I live in Kansas. We grow a lot of wheat and no rice. Rice needs a completely different way of growing. I have seen them grow rice in Calif. They flood the fields. We need some farmers to clarify.

Possible they use the same trucks, silos, etc?

We also, grow corn. Seems more likely they would use the same trucks, fields, etc. They are often different growing seasons. While were at it, what about sorghum and soybeans which are rotated with wheat?

[kareng]

  On 12/3/2010 at 2:55 AM, dilettantesteph said:

Rice and wheat can be grown in rotation, and shared harvesting equipment can be used. Unless the rice is sourced very carefully, the dedicated facility won't be enough.

I live in Kansas. We grow a lot of wheat and no rice. Rice needs a completely different way of growing. I have seen them grow rice in Calif. They flood the fields. We need some farmers to clarify.

Possible they use the same trucks, silos, etc?

[FooGirlsMom]

Hi,

You know what's funny? I have the exact opposite problem. I was trying to eat Corn & Honey Nut Chex and I would have bathroom issues. I switched over to Rice & Cinnamon Chex (both are made with only rice, no corn) and I'm fine. The past week I have been staying off the corn & corn products..bathroom issues down by 75%...hmmm

Not sure what to tell you, just thought I'd share,

FooGirlsMom

[Skylark]

  On 12/3/2010 at 2:55 AM, dilettantesteph said:

Rice and wheat can be grown in rotation, and shared harvesting equipment can be used. Unless the rice is sourced very carefully, the dedicated facility won't be enough.

No, rice is generally safe for celiacs. Besides, General Mills is testing their products for gluten-free status. I'm guessing it has to do with the Rice Chex not being made in a dedicated facility.

[bobcat]

Being a newbie to gluten-free diets, I was happy to find Rice Chex listed as gluten-free. Reading the label however showed one ingredient as Vitamin E (mixed tocopherols). Wikipedia shows tocopherols as having 22 possible natural sources, two of which are

wheat germ oil and oats.

General Mills customer services assured me that the cereal is made in a dedicated facility, but they could not tell me whether their vitamin E source is gluten-free. I was told they would try to find out & get back to me.

Cinnamon Chex and Chocolate Chex also use this ingredient.

Corn Chex and Honey Nut Chex do not use this ingredient.

[psawyer]

Wecome to the board.

The Canadian Celiac Association lists tocopherols as gluten-free, without qualification as to source. In the US, where Rice Chex are sold, wheat as the source would have to be disclosed by law (FALCPA).

Tocopherols are just not something I worry about.