Is Heinz Ketchup Gluten Free? Van Camp's Beans?

[CNV2855]

Heinz originally certified their original ketchup as gluten free and initially said their organic wasn't. I think that's changed and both versions are supposed to be gluten free.

I tested three products this week with EZ gluten (down to 10ppm).

Heinz original ketchup (not the organic) tested positive for gluten.

I want to make clear that this bottle was used in a gluten free household and has never been used on gluten containing foods.

Van Camp's Baked beans (also certified gluten-free) tested pretty damn positive on two consecutive tests.

Rice Chex tested negative for gluten.

All tests done with EZ-gluten. This is becoming frustrating as it's becoming increasingly apparent that we can't rely on statements by these manufacturers.

[seashele2]

That is totally disheartening. There is no way we can afford to buy EZ Gluten test kits, so I depend on manufacturers being truthful. I know when I have a gluten reaction to not buy it again but that is all I can go by.

Michelle

Western Washington state

[ravenwoodglass]

Did you contact the companies? It might be helpful to them if you take a couple of digital photos of the tests and email them to the companies along with the notification and see what they say.

[sa1937]

Here is a list of Heinz products that are gluten-free. Open Original Shared Link Heinz is one of the companies that I trust. But if someone has a problem with one of their products, it could possibly be due to an ingredient their body does not like and may have nothing to do with gluten (although we do seem to blame gluten for everything).

I've eaten Heinz Tomato Ketchup in the past week and had absolutely no problem with it. So that is one product I'm not going to worry about.

[psawyer]

Heinz originally certified their original ketchup as gluten free and initially said their organic wasn't. I think that's changed and both versions are supposed to be gluten free.

I tested three products this week with EZ gluten (down to 10ppm).

Heinz original ketchup (not the organic) tested positive for gluten.

I want to make clear that this bottle was used in a gluten free household and has never been used on gluten containing foods.

Van Camp's Baked beans (also certified gluten-free) tested pretty damn positive on two consecutive tests.

Rice Chex tested negative for gluten.

All tests done with EZ-gluten. This is becoming frustrating as it's becoming increasingly apparent that we can't rely on statements by these manufacturers.

There was considerable discussion about these test strips here about three years ago. That was long before you joined.

A few members claimed that they could increase the sensitivity of the test by providing a larger sample, or by leaving the test more than ten minutes before reading a result. As noted on the maker's Open Original Shared Link both of these can produce incorrect results--false positives.

Can I double the amount of sample I use to increase the sensitivity of the test?

No. The buffers in the Extraction Solution were formulated to deal with a sample size of 0.5g or less. Amounts greater than this can alter the pH of the extract and give false readings on the test.

I don’t see a 'Test' line at 10 minutes, although the 'Control' and 'Hook' lines are present. However, a 'Test' line appears minutes or hours later. Does this indicate that there is gluten in the sample?

No. After an extended period of time, and particularly if the strip is allowed to dry out, there will be an artifact that forms along the test line due to the drying out of the conjugated antibody. If you have a valid test at 10 minutes, meaning that the 'Control' line is present, then this is the point at which the test should be read.

The EZ Gluten Open Original Shared Link also reports unexplained false positives to ketchup and mustard, even when the test is used as directed. They don't know why, so I have to wonder what other unexplained false positive conditions might exist. Baked beans, perhaps?

Why does the test give false positive readings with ketchup and mustard?

During the development of the assay, one ketchup sample and a couple of mustard samples gave positive results on the EZ Gluten which could not be explained. Several other ketchups and mustards have tested negative on the EZ Gluten, but in order to be safe, we suggest not testing ketchup or mustard.

If you want to believe in this test, you can do so. I think it has been shown by the maker to be unreliable. I wouldn't waste my time or money on it.

[mamaw]

Thank You Peter! When things are thrown out in cyber world that aren't exactly correct it sends a gluten free storm/ tornado across the planet ... example: McDonald's fries...again I say THANK YOU..

hopefully no one else has wasted their money.....

[dilettantesteph]

I tested three products this week with EZ gluten (down to 10ppm).

This is becoming frustrating as it's becoming increasingly apparent that we can't rely on statements by these manufacturers.

I just wanted to point out that positive tests that go down to 10 ppm don't show any lack of reliability on the part of the manufacturers when under 20 ppm is the proposed gluten free level.

Even if the tests results are true.

[Skylark]

The EZ Gluten Open Original Shared Link also reports unexplained false positives to ketchup and mustard, even when the test is used as directed. They don't know why, so I have to wonder what other unexplained false positive conditions might exist. Baked beans, perhaps?

If you want to believe in this test, you can do so. I think it has been shown by the maker to be unreliable. I wouldn't waste my time or money on it.

That seems a little strong to me. A few months back we had a member who found gluten in a pill she ground up and tested and it explained her ongoing problems. The test strips can be very valuable and I wouldn't be inclined to discard them out-of-hand because of problems with some foods. I'd write the manufacturer and ask what's up with the false positive on baked beans.

[katerzz]

There is ketchup and probably mustard in baked beans. My guess is that is why you got a positive.

My family is gluten free and my husband is pretty sensitive. We eat both heinz ketchup AND we just had those baked beans with no problem.

[Adalaide]

I eat Van Camp's beans with no symptoms. (Not even the dreaded gas!)

I am not a ketchup fan, but have been enjoying the occasional Heinz Balsamic ketchup symptom free. It's ketchup all grown up, and it's wonderful.

If a company says something is gluten free and it doesn't make me sick I'm going to go right on eating it.

[hwnw123glutenfree]

I, too, use the Heinz ketchup without any issues. I can't speak for the beans though. I have never had them.

I wasn't aware that there were testing kits available to test for gluten. Interesting for those who need them

For now, I am going to trust the information I receive from the companies. In Canada, there will be a new labeling law starting Aug 2012 that all gluten will have to be identified in the ingredient list or on the package. Things will be a lot easier then.

[Lisa]

I, too, use the Heinz ketchup without any issues. I can't speak for the beans though. I have never had them.

I wasn't aware that there were testing kits available to test for gluten. Interesting for those who need them

For now, I am going to trust the information I receive from the companies. In Canada, there will be a new labeling law starting Aug 2012 that all gluten will have to be identified in the ingredient list or on the package. Things will be a lot easier then.

I think you you're pretty smart, by putting your health in your own hands.

And Cheers to Canada! Hopefully, the US will follow soon.