Foods that may contain gluten or trace amounts of gluten

It is important to remember to always check food labels to make sure they are declared gluten-free.

Many processed foods may contain hidden gluten in the form of additives or unexpected ingredients. It may also be present in trace amounts. It is advisable to choose brands that certify the absence of gluten in their products.

Once people with celiac disease choose to include processed foods, even at minimal levels, it is necessary to verify their origin as much as possible if they want to ensure an error-free diet. Even with naturally gluten-free foods, care must be taken to watch out for traces of gluten. Here are some products that may contain gluten or traces of gluten.

Natural products

Some naturally gluten-free natural products, such as fruits and vegetables, may contain traces of gluten due to cross-contamination during growing, harvesting or processing. For example, wheat, barley or rye crops may contaminate nearby fruit and vegetable crops. Or the use of straw as mulch during the cultivation process. Or they may be transported or stored in the same containers without first sanitizing, among many other possibilities.

It is important to wash naturally gluten-free foods thoroughly before consumption to reduce the risk of contamination. The amount of gluten in this type of cross-contamination is usually very small. They are traces that mostly affect the most sensitive celiacs.

Nutritional supplements and medications

Nutritional supplements, such as protein shakes and vitamin supplements, may contain gluten as an ingredient in their production. Starches are widely used in excipients, which is the substance used, for example, to give them shape, flavor and consistency.

Unlike foods, pharmacy supplements and medicines in general are required to declare the presence of gluten on the label at all times.

Processed foods

Processed foods and processed beverages may contain gluten-containing ingredients in their processing. One of the most common is modified starch, which can be derived from wheat. Among the most commonly consumed products are:

• Processed meats, fish and seafood: such as, for example, charcuterie, sausages and sausages, imitation meats, marinated poultry, hamburgers made in the butcher or fishmonger, meatballs, pates, preserves (in sauce, pickled, or with tomato). In short, most of the substitutes and derivatives.

• Corn snacks, microwavable corn chips, seasoned olives, among others. Frozen or take-away foods, such as, for example, seasoned rice mixes, seasoned snacks, soup mixes, broths, vegetables in sauce, pre-cooked vegetables; foods with creams or sauces, cooked legumes.

• Sweets and desserts such as cakes, nougat, marzipan. Ice creams in bulk, or with wafers, or containing cream, filling, creams, cookies, cookies or caramel sauces. Fruit derivatives such as jams, jellies, creams, or some dried fruits in bulk, or glazed fruits. Candies, chewing gum, jelly beans, etcetera. Flavored, flavored or powdered sugar.

• Dairy products: most dairy products are naturally gluten-free, but some processed dairy products may contain gluten. For example: melted or flavored cheeses, light butters, cereal milk, dressings, dairy substitutes, flavored milks or cooking cream.

• Condiments and sauces: due to the use of gluten-containing ingredients in their production, such as soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, malt vinegar or modified starch. Colorings, condiments and seasonings such as ground spices may contain traces of gluten.

• Beverages: in general, beverages produced in vending machines may contain gluten. Also malt and milkshakes, some energy and isotonic drinks, coffee substitutes, flavored infusions, powdered soft drinks, juice drinks combined with cereals or other non-fruit ingredients. As well as combined alcoholic beverages, fruit liqueurs, sangrias and so on.

Other not so obvious foodstuffs that may contain gluten

Other foodstuffs that may contain gluten without being noticed are:

• Grated cheese: in some cases, wheat-containing anti-caking agents are used to prevent the cheese from clumping together. In addition, some cheese products are made with bacterial cultures that are grown on gluten-containing media.

• Chocolate: although chocolate itself does not contain gluten, many chocolates contain ingredients that do, such as malt, which is often used as a sweetener in chocolate. Almost all chocolates contain gluten, the only safe one is pure cocoa, for the rest check on the label that states that it is gluten free.

• Communion wafers: they must be made with wheat flour. There are exceptions made with imperceptible amounts of wheat that are approved by the Church.

• Pet foods: Pet foods may also contain gluten, as some pet foods use wheat flour as an ingredient in their production. Care should be taken with cross-contamination in the home.