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

May Contain Wheat

Castle

Recommended Posts

Castle Newbie
Castle
Posted

I have been gluten free for almost 3 years now but I still struggle with this topic.

Do you eat foods that have labels with "May contain wheat" Or " May contains traces of wheat"

I don't have physical symptoms so I don't ever really know if I have been contaminated or not. I never purposely eat food that I know contains wheat but I will eat foods that have the label saying "May contain" occasionally. What's your take on this and what do you do? I know it's my choice in the end but I am curious to know what other people do when it comes to this!

Thanks!

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

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


alex11602 Collaborator
alex11602
Posted

We don't in our house, but I also have two young children to think of and wouldn't take a chance with their health. I also find there are plenty of options without that warning, so why bother? That's my personal take on it.

psawyer Proficient
psawyer
Posted

Castle, you said in a previous topic that you are in Canada.

Open Original Shared Link

There is no meaningful difference between "may contain x" and "may contain traces of x"--both indicate the possibility of accidental content at some low level.

I generally avoid products that "may contain wheat," especially if there is an alternative that does not have the warning. But, the warning is voluntary, so its absence does not necessarily mean anything.

ravenwoodglass Mentor
ravenwoodglass
Posted

Do you eat foods that have labels with "May contain wheat" Or " May contains traces of wheat"

I also avoid stuff with this warning.

Hornet Rookie
Hornet
Posted

I avoid all labels that say gluten-free but are not made in dedicated gluten-free facilities. I don't know in reality why it can be called gluten-free if there may be traces of gluten, soy or other allergens.

Ultimately you have to decide what is best for you and if eating traces of wheat poses a problem for your health.

~**caselynn**~ Enthusiast
~**caselynn**~
Posted

I'm an avoider as well, any possible trace is a trace too much for me. ?

Castle Newbie
Castle
Posted
  • Author

Thank you all for your posts! I appreciate the feedback. I am leaning towards avoiding those foods with such labels but it's hard sometimes when there isn't an alternative.

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

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


lpellegr Collaborator
lpellegr
Posted

You also have to consider that since plenty of labels don't say anything about other things that might share the lines or factory, you could be eating things that "may contain traces of wheat" all the time without knowing it, so while it's good to avoid the potential contamination that they tell you about, it still won't keep you 100% safe. That said, if the package states that there's a chance for cross-contamination, I mentally thank them for their honesty and step away from the product.

eatmeat4good Enthusiast
eatmeat4good
Posted

I'm 2 years gluten free.

Got sick from nuts contaminated...definitely gluten by my reaction.

So when I grabbed the Spaghetti sauce that proudly says Gluten free on the front, and I turn it over and it says Made in a facility that also processes wheat...um...no thank you.

I feel sorry that people believe that gluten free on the label means it IS gluten free.

I've been testing that off and on this last year and it's totally true for me that if it's made in a facility that processes wheat, I'll probably get sick.

So as painful as it is.....

I've decided only to eat Certified Gluten Free products.

Cause even if you don't find that warning on the label...and there are no gluten ingredients, it doesn't mean it isn't contaminated. Unfortunately.

I really wish it were not legal to use the Gluten Free on the label unless the product is tested.

Adalaide Mentor
Adalaide
Posted

I appreciate the honesty from companies and steer clear of the products with that label. I was curious about it and tested it for myself. When I was feeling pretty well I decided to eat some dried blueberries with that label and had a very strong reaction. It's sort of a mixed bag for me though, as I take those words on the label as a warning of possible cc.

Here's what I mean by that. Cheetos for instance. Regular, normal Cheetos have no gluten ingredients but aren't produced in a gluten free facility. Sure, they take every precaution but who knows? Heck, they don't even have the warning on the bag, but I still won't eat them. On the other hand, Cheetos Naturals I will eat. It isn't that they are produced elsewhere, they aren't. It is that every batch is tested and verified gluten free, where the regular ones are not. It's an assurance thing that promises the product I am getting really is gluten free.

It's why I appreciate "processed in a facility..." warnings. My health just isn't worth risking over something like the Cheetos that are a little cheaper or the X that is mildly more convenient or whatever. Sure, it could very well be perfectly fine. But why risk it?

Archived

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

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


  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      131,159
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748
    Laz
    Newest Member
    Laz
    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

    • Oldturdle
      Paying for my own Celiac screening at WalkInLab so a positive result doesn’t become part of my medical history

      By Oldturdle · Posted

      It is just so sad that health care in the United States has come to this.  Health insurance should be available to everyone, not just the healthy or the rich.  My heart goes out to you.  I would not hesitate to have the test and pay for it myself.  My big concern would be how you could keep the results truly private.  I am sure that ultimately, you could not.  A.I. is getting more and more pervasive, and all data is available somewhere.  I don't know if you could give a fake name, or pay for your test with cash.  I certainly would not disclose any positive results on a private insurance application.  As I understand it, for an official diagnosis, an MD needs to review your labs and make the call.  If you end up in the ER, or some other situation, just request a gluten free diet, and say it is because you feel better when you don't eat gluten.      Hang in there, though.  Medicare is not that far away for you, and it will remove a lot of stress from your health care concerns.  You will even be able to "come out of the closet" about being Celiac!
    • plumbago
      Paying for my own Celiac screening at WalkInLab so a positive result doesn’t become part of my medical history

      By plumbago · Posted

      Yes, I've posted a few times about two companies: Request a Test and Ulta Labs. Also, pretty much we can all request any test we want (with the possible exception of the N protein Covid test and I'm sure a couple of others) with Lab Corp (or Pixel by Lab Corp) and Quest. I much prefer Lab Corp for their professionalism, ease of service and having it together administratively, at least in DC. And just so you know, Request a Test uses Lab Corp and Quest anyway, while Ulta Labs uses only Quest. Ulta Labs is cheaper than Request a Test, but I am tired of dealing with Quest, so I don't use them so much.
    • Scott Adams
      Does Dailymed.nlm.nih.gov site have filters for gluten?

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      PS - I think you meant this site, but I don't believe it has been updated in years: http://glutenfreedrugs.com/ so it is best to use: You can search this site for prescriptions medications, but will need to know the manufacturer/maker if there is more than one, especially if you use a generic version of the medication: To see the ingredients you will need to click on the correct version of the medication and maker in the results, then scroll down to "Ingredients and Appearance" and click it, and then look at "Inactive Ingredients," as any gluten ingredients would likely appear there, rather than in the Active Ingredients area. https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/   
    • trents
      Paying for my own Celiac screening at WalkInLab so a positive result doesn’t become part of my medical history

      By trents · Posted

      A lot to think about here. Does anyone have any recommendations for third party laboratories that will do full panel celiac screens private pay in the U.S.?
    • Scott Adams
      Paying for my own Celiac screening at WalkInLab so a positive result doesn’t become part of my medical history

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      You don't need an official diagnosis to request a gluten-free diet in either a hospital or nursing home--this can be requested by anyone. The higher costs associated with existing conditions for life insurance is a reality, and regardless of your politics, it could become a reality again for health insurance in the USA. For many this could make health insurance unaffordable, thus, everyone who is undiagnosed should understand such potential consequences before they go the official diagnostic route. As mentioned, once it's on your medical record, it won't go away.
×
×
  • Create New...