Canadian Retail Survey of Gluten-Free Products and Products That Contain Inherently Gluten-Free Ingredients

Given the abundant presence of retail products with gluten-containing cereal grains (wheat, barley, and rye), the strict avoidance of gluten can be challenging, and consumers with a gluten sensitivity will look for gluten-free equivalent products. These products are typically derived from naturally gluten-free cereal grains such as rice, corn, buckwheat, sorghum, oats, and legumes. In this study, we conducted a survey to determine the extent of gluten cross-contamination of products sold in Canada that are made from inherently gluten-free ingredients as a function of labelling claim in regard to gluten. A total of 657 samples were collected and analyzed for gluten content using the RIDASCREEN ® R-7001 gliadin ELISA. The results showed that 30 of these 657 (4.6%) samples were contaminated above the CODEX recommended level for a gluten-free product statement (20 mg/kg). Of the 270 samples displaying a gluten-free claim, only one (0.4%) of these tested above 20 mg/kg gluten. There were 239 samples tested that did not have any gluten statement, and only one (0.4%) of these tested above 20 mg/kg. The remaining 148 samples contained a precautionary statement for gluten and 28 (18.9%) of these tested above 20 mg/kg gluten. The majority of those samples that tested above the CODEX recommended level (19/30) had oats listed as one of the ingredients.