For background, please see the post, “Gluten-free oats remain complicated as 2023 comes to a close: New article from Gluten Free Watchdog” available at: https://www.glutenfreewatchdog.org/news/gluten-free-oats-remain-complicated-as-2023-comes-to-a-close-new-article-from-gluten-free-watchdog/ Summary of 2024 testing data Twenty-six products (representing 1+ packages of each product) were tested in 2024 that contained oats as an ingredient. Five of these 26 products tested with […] The post Summary of 2024 oat testing data from Gluten Free Watchdog appeared first on Gluten Free Watchdog.
For background, please see the post, “Gluten-free oats remain complicated as 2023 comes to a close: New article from Gluten Free Watchdog” available at: https://www.glutenfreewatchdog.org/news/gluten-free-oats-remain-complicated-as-2023-comes-to-a-close-new-article-from-gluten-free-watchdog/
Summary of 2024 testing data
Twenty-six products (representing 1+ packages of each product) were tested in 2024 that contained oats as an ingredient. Five of these 26 products tested with quantifiable gluten in at least one test portion (3 of these products were from the same store brand—Trader Joe’s). Three of the 5 products tested out of compliance with the gluten-free labeling rule (2 of the 3 products were from the same store brand—Trader Joe’s). The 3 products testing out of compliance listed an oat ingredient as the only or first ingredient.
A closer look at Trader Joe’s brand gluten-free rolled oats
Gluten Free Watchdog commissioned testing on 7 bags of Trader Joe’s gluten-free rolled oats. The results represent a microcosm of potential gluten cross contact in oats. The test report is available on the public side of the website. See https://www.glutenfreewatchdog.org/product/trader-joes-gluten-free-rolled-oats-2024/1372). As you can see from the results, oat cross contact with gluten-containing grains may be highly heterogeneous (i.e., not evenly distributed). Levels of cross contact can vary widely between different lots, within the same lot, and within the same product package.
How do manufacturers ensure oats labeled gluten-free are in compliance with the gluten-free labeling rule?
That is the million-dollar question. But in the opinion of Gluten Free watchdog, the approach must include:
- The “cleanest” oats possible (ideally via a purity protocol)
- Optical and mechanical sorting to remove any remaining errant grain
- Testing, testing, and more testing.
Suppliers and manufacturers can test to find gluten and they can test to not find gluten. What is testing to not find gluten? Testing a single sample portion from an entire lot of oats. What is testing to find gluten? Testing multiple sample portions from the entire oat stream coming into the processing plant and testing multiple sample portions of finished product.
Are you wondering about Gluten Free Watchdog’s current position on oats?
Gluten Free Watchdog as an organization, is unable to recommend any particular brand of gluten-free oats. This does not mean that Gluten Free Watchdog recommends against oats or that you shouldn’t eat oats. Please learn as much as possible about the issues around oats. What you choose to eat is personal, and this includes whether or not to eat gluten-free oats. Whatever you decide, you don’t owe anyone an explanation.
Note: If you do eat oats, please make sure the product label includes a gluten-free claim. Also, remember that the term “gluten-free” when used in the ingredients list may be considered intervening material and a misbranding violation by the FDA. In other words, oats may be gluten-free even if this is not stated in the ingredients list. Again, look for a gluten-free claim on the label.
The post Summary of 2024 oat testing data from Gluten Free Watchdog appeared first on Gluten Free Watchdog.
