St. Ives/ Unilever

[LenaS]

I contacted Unilever because I had found some ingredients that may contain hidden sources of Gluten on their product labels, I asked them to clarify two products specifically for me, green tea facial scrub and the citrus body wash, here is the response I was sent:

Thank you for contacting us regarding St. Ives Product.

As you may know, gluten is found in wheat, rye, and (to lesser degree) in barley and oats. Unfortunately we do not have a Gluten Free list for our products. Ingredients containing gluten would always be listed separately on all ingredient labels.

Unilever Canada considers gluten to be a

[sa1937]

Welcome, Lena! Unilever will not hide ingredients in products so they are definitely one of the "good guys".

Specifically what ingredients are you suspicious about?

[psawyer]

I replied to this clarifying that I had in fact read the ingredients very carefully, which was the reason for my inquiry in the first place, and asked about the hidden sources.

They already answered, saying that there are NO hidden sources:

"Ingredients containing gluten would always be listed separately on all ingredient labels."

If gluten is present, the name of the grain will appear. Look for the words wheat, rye, barley or oats.

[LenaS]

Thank you Sylvia

I am a newly diagnosed ciliac and am finding it very difficult, people haven't been very friendly or supportive so I thank you for being so helpful. The item I inquired about contains hydroxypropyltrimonium I have two sources that list this as a common hidden source of gluten found in beauty products.

[sa1937]

You're welcome, Lena. I don't know where you heard this is not safe. I googled Open Original Shared Link and came up with the following.

Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride is a water-soluble derivative of natural guar gum, and delivers conditioning properties to shampoos and after-shampoo hair care products.

Guar gum doesn't contain gluten. You can trust Unilever on their labeling.

[psawyer]

Try these links for useful information:

Unsafe ingredients.

Safe ingredients.

Open Original Shared Link If you don't see "wheat, rye, barley, barley malt, oats" on the labels, its not there, or hidden in "flavors, starches, etc."

I am not a supporter of product lists--they are out of date the minute that you print them. Formulas are constantly changing. That is why I like to buy from companies who will label clearly (see the third link above). Always read the label.

[LenaS]

You're welcome, Lena. I don't know where you heard this is not safe. I googled Open Original Shared Link and came up with the following.

Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride is a water-soluble derivative of natural guar gum, and delivers conditioning properties to shampoos and after-shampoo hair care products.

Guar gum doesn't contain gluten. You can trust Unilever on their labeling.

It was listed in the Gluten-Free diet: a gluten free-survival guide by Elisabeth Hasselbeck and in Delight gluten free magazine. Thank you for clarifying this for me, I really appreciate it.

[psawyer]

Elisabeth Hasselbeck is not a reliable source. I have not read her book, but many people have posted about erroneous information in it.

[LenaS]

Elisabeth Hasselbeck is not a reliable source. I have not read her book, but many people have posted about erroneous information in it.

Thank you for all of your help