Jump to content
This site uses cookies. Continued use is acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. More Info... ×

  • 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

Warning! Quinoa Contamination With Barley

squirmingitch

Recommended Posts

squirmingitch Veteran
squirmingitch
Posted

It seems that the Kosher community has discovered some Quinoa is being dried covered by barley &/or oats.

Read these 2 links for info.

Open Original Shared Link

On this link, scroll down to hwere you see the article post on Feb. 23,2012

Open Original Shared Link

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

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


T.H. Community Regular
T.H.
Posted

I just came across that, too.

Sigh...stuff is everywhere, argh.

Cathey Apprentice
Cathey
Posted

Thank you for that report. I just threw out my Quinoa it wasn't on the list of safe ones. Thanks again.

tom Contributor
tom
Posted

Thank you for that report. I just threw out my Quinoa ....

You shouldn't have.

Even if someone apparently traveled to Peru & reported that they saw possible ways for cc in the field, quinoa seeds have husks. The edible part doesn't touch anything but the inside of the husk.

An article about potential hypothetical cc shouldn't set off a panic.

I'm also kinda skeptical about Peruvian farmers of the "ancient grain" changing how they do it a couple yrs ago.

Lisa Mentor
Lisa
Posted

An article about potential hypothetical cc shouldn't set off a panic.

Agreed! ;)

Skylark Collaborator
Skylark
Posted

By the time the quinoa is hulled and the saponin is rinsed off any barley dust would be long gone.

You have to understand when you read this article that the prohibition against eating or even possessing chametz during Passover is absolute. This is from an Orthodox rabbinical council and they are looking for grains that meet certain religious standards. The idea of chametz grains might be used to keep birds off quinoa, even if the finished product is gluten-free by R5 ELISA, is probably enough for them to issue the prohibition.

If you're really worried, the Bob's Red Mill organic quinoa is really nice and it's gluten-free. I am particularly fond of the Bob's quinoa because it's rinsed well enough that it doesn't take any special care to cook.

FernW Rookie
FernW
Posted

I think I will just stay away from Quinoa for a while, especially for passover. Don't want to get sick and ruin my passover.

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

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


Lisa Mentor
Lisa
Posted

You have to understand when you read this article that the prohibition against eating or even possessing chametz during Passover is absolute. This is from an Orthodox Rabbinical Council and they are looking for grains that meet certain religious standards. The idea of chametz grains used to keep birds off quinoa, even if the finished product is gluten-free by R5 ELISA, is probably enough for them to issue the prohibition.

Interesting Skylark! I learn something every day here - I'm intrigued with the history of religion.

psawyer Proficient
psawyer
Posted

As Skylark said, the dietary rules followed by Orthodox Jews with respect to Passover are inflexible. There must be absolutely no chance of any trace of a prohibited (chametz) grain being in the home during Pesach. Even among Orthodox Rabbis, there is no universal agreement on what the rule means.

I don't think the religious concerns raised by the Chicago Rabbinical Council need worry us. But that is my own opinion. Make your own decision.

Skylark Collaborator
Skylark
Posted

Interesting Skylark! I learn something every day from here - I'm intrigued with the history of religion.

I learned about this from a friend who works at a synagogue. Every Passover the rabbi arranges to buy everyone's chametz (leavened bread from prohibited grains) and sell it to a non-Jew for the length of the holiday. I was fascinated by that one! The only way the five grains (wheat, spelt, rye, barley, oats I think?) can be consumed is as matzoh.

This is why Passover is such a bonanza for celiacs. :) Kosher for Passover food is either made with matzoh meal or is naturally gluten-free. They use potato and arrowroot starch a lot. Back when I first figured out I was celiac, one of the easiest ways to get inexpensive gluten-free mixes and treats was after-Passover sales.

squirmingitch Veteran
squirmingitch
Posted
  • Author

So you're saying that the drying of the Quinoa that's going on is BEFORE it's hulled & the saponin is rinsed off? I would not be afraid to eat it if this is the case. Now, if the grain is covered AFTER it is hulled & rinsed then I have a problem with it.

Thank you Skylark for the religious info. I too find different religious practices interesting to learn about.

FernW Rookie
FernW
Posted

Not all Matzoh is gluten free

Skylark Collaborator
Skylark
Posted

Not all Matzoh is gluten free

Maybe I didn't explain that clearly. If there isn't matzoh meal in the food, it will be gluten-free. Obviously the ones with matzoh meal contain gluten. Here, try this article.

Open Original Shared Link

Cathey Apprentice
Cathey
Posted

You shouldn't have.

Even if someone apparently traveled to Peru & reported that they saw possible ways for cc in the field, quinoa seeds have husks. The edible part doesn't touch anything but the inside of the husk.

An article about potential hypothetical cc shouldn't set off a panic.

I'm also kinda skeptical about Peruvian farmers of the "ancient grain" changing how they do it a couple yrs ago.

That's ok, Tom it was a small amount left and several months old. I usually use the Ancient Harvest Quinoa Pasta's so I'll just look for that brand of Quinoa which is on the safe list.

squirmingitch Veteran
squirmingitch
Posted
  • Author

I have 4 boxes of the ancient Harvest sitting here unopened & not of the lot # that is listed as safe in the articles. So I called Ancient Harvest today. When in doubt, go to the source, so I did. Okay, here's what she told me. She read the article that was by the Rabbinical council just like we did. She says Ancient Harvest is NOT affected by any overlay of Barley or Oats or any gluten grain. Their fields are at 7,000 ft. high & none of those other grains will grow that high. She has been to their fields & seen for herself what happens. She assured me that Ancient Harvest is not now nor will it be affected by such things as we read about. She stated that Ancient Harvest is well aware of their use by the celiac & gluten sensitive community & respects & appreciates their standing as a trusted company. Quinoa is the ONLY thing they produce. The Quinoa is processed by them here & not in S.A.. She said the real story is that the farmers in the low elevations (not Ancient Harvest farms) were supposedly covering the Quinoa SEEDS with Barley or Oats to keep the birds from eating the PLANTED Quinoa seeds until the seeds sprout. She stated that Ancient Harvest is presently seeking the Rabbinical council to rectify the statement to reflect the actual happenings. she further assured me that Ancient Harvest Quinoa was completely safe for me to eat & would always remain so.

I'm going to eat my 4 boxes & ENJOY!

Lisa Mentor
Lisa
Posted

Thanks for taking the time to do some research and sharing. :D

I love my Ancient Harvest Quinoa. :P

squirmingitch Veteran
squirmingitch
Posted
  • Author

Thanks for taking the time to do some research and sharing. :D

I love my Ancient Harvest Quinoa. :P

Me too! And now I'm sure I can eat it. Yay! Guess what's for breakfast in the morning?biggrin.gif

Skylark Collaborator
Skylark
Posted

Thanks for taking the time to do some research and sharing. :D

Yes, great sleuthing! I suspect the rabbis will stick to their decision but it's good to know the whole story.

modiddly16 Enthusiast
modiddly16
Posted

Thank you for teaching me something new about Passover. I love learning new things about religions!

FernW Rookie
FernW
Posted

Thank you, thank you, thank you Skylark I have been looking for a certain pound cake and other items for passover, so it will be a little late, I have the wine and thats whats important, lol. Yes Passover does make my gluten free life a bit easier for 8 days.

Thanks again. Fern

Archived

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

Go to topic listing
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):


  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      131,198
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748
    Jamie0230
    Newest Member
    Jamie0230
    Joined
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):

  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      121.4k
    • Total Posts
      1m
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):



  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):


  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • Scott Adams
      Does Dailymed.nlm.nih.gov site have filters for gluten?

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      Clearly from what you've said the info on Dailymed is much more up to date than the other site, which hasn't been updated since 2017. The fact that some companies might be repackaging drugs does not mean the info on the ingredients is not correct.
    • RMJ
      Waiting Gastroenterology review

      By RMJ · Posted

      To evaluate the TTG antibody result we’d need to know the normal range for that lab.  Labs don’t all use the same units.  However, based on any normal ranges that I’ve seen and the listed result being greater than a number rather than a specific number, I’d say yes, that is high! Higher than the range where the test can give a quantitative result. You got good advice not to change your diet yet.  If you went gluten free your intestines would start to heal, confusing any further testing,
    • Bev in Milw
      Does Dailymed.nlm.nih.gov site have filters for gluten?

      By Bev in Milw · Posted

      Scott is correct….Thank you for catching that!      Direct link for info  of fillers.    http://www.glutenfreedrugs.com/Excipients.htm Link is on 2nd page  of www.glutenfreedrugs.com   Site was started by a pharmacist (or 2) maybe 15-20 yrs ago with LAST updated in  2017.  This makes it’s Drug List so old that it’s no longer relevant. Companies & contacts, along with suppliers &  sources would need to be referenced, same amount effort  as starting with current data on DailyMed      That being said, Excipient List is still be relevant since major changes to product labeling occurred prior ’17.           List is the dictionary that sources the ‘foreign-to-us’ terms used on pharmaceutical labels, terms we need to rule out gluten.    Note on DailyMed INFO— When you look for a specific drug on DailyMed, notice that nearly all of companies (brands/labels) are flagged as a ‘Repackager’… This would seem to suggest the actual ‘pills’ are being mass produced by a limited number of wholesaler suppliers (esp for older meds out of  patent protection.).      If so, multiple repackager-get  bulk shipments  from same supplier will all  be selling identical meds —same formula/fillers. Others repackager-could be switching suppliers  frequently based on cost, or runs both gluten-free & non- items on same lines.  No way to know  without contacting company.     While some I know have  searched pharmacies chasing a specific brand, long-term  solution is to find (or teach) pharmacy staff who’s willing help.    When I got 1st Rx ~8 years ago, I went to Walgreens & said I needed gluten-free.  Walked  out when pharmacist said  ‘How am I supposed  to know…’  (ar least he as honest… ). Walmart pharmacists down the block were ‘No problem!’—Once, they wouldn’t release my Rx, still waiting on gluten-free status from a new supplier. Re: Timeliness of DailyMed info?   A serendipitous conversation with cousin in Mi was unexpectedly reassuring.  She works in office of Perrigo, major products of OTC meds (was 1st to add gluten-free labels).  I TOTALLY lucked out when I asked about her job: “TODAY I trained a new full-time employee to make entries to Daily Med.’  Task had grown to hours a day, time she needed for tasks that couldn’t be delegated….We can only hope majorities of companies are as  conscientious!   For the Newbies…. SOLE  purpose of  fillers (possible gluten) in meds is to  hold the active ingredients together in a doseable form.  Drugs  given by injection or as IV are always gluten-free!  (Sometimes drs can do antibiotics w/ one-time injection rather than 7-10 days of  pills .) Liquid meds (typically for kids)—still read labels, but  could be an a simpler option for some products…
    • Ginger38
      Food Allergies

      By Ginger38 · Posted

      So I recently had allergy testing for IGE antibodies in response to foods. My test results came back positive to corn, white potatoes, egg whites. Tomatoes, almonds and peanuts to name a few.  I have had obvious reactions to a few of these - particularly tomatoes and corn- both GI issues. I don’t really understand all this allergy versus celiac stuff. If the food allergies are mild do I have to avoid these foods entirely? I don’t know what I will eat if I can’t  have corn based gluten free products 
    • JForman
      7yo struggling!

      By JForman · Posted

      We have four children (7-14 yo), and our 7 year old was diagnosed with NCGS (though all Celiac labs were positive, her scope at 4 years old was negative so docs in the US won't call it celiac). We have started her on a Gluten Free diet after 3 years of major digestive issues and ruling out just about everything under the sun. Our home and kitchen and myself are all gluten-free. But I have not asked my husband/her dad or her other siblings to go completely gluten-free with us. They are at home, but not out of the home. This has led to situations when we are eating out where she has to consistently see others eating things she can't have and she has begun to say "Well, I can't have <fill in the blank>...stupid gluten."  How have you supported your gluten-free kiddos in the mental health space of this journey, especially young ones like her. I know it's hard for me as an adult sometimes to miss out, so I can't imagine being 7 and dealing with it! Any tips or ideas to help with this? 
×
×
  • Create New...