Wheat and gluten in South African food products

Abstract

Individuals with allergies and intolerances to grain products rely on accurate food labelling to prevent potentially life threatening reactions. The aim of this study was to evaluate a number of South African food products for gluten and wheat to ascertain whether these products may pose a risk to celiac and/or wheat allergic individuals. Twenty-five products were analysed, including spelt products, flours of buckwheat, barley, rye, rice, millet, maize, semolina, triticale, oats, porridges, rice- and maize-based cereals, and rye bread. The rye and barley flours and two oat products were shown to be contaminated with wheat. Ten out of 17 naturally gluten-free products contained gluten, although in 13 of these the levels were below 20 mg/kg. The labels of four products were found to be misleading in terms of the gluten and/or wheat claims made. © 2010 Taylor & Francis.