Yes. All foods listed in the Food and Drink DirectoryOur annual Directory of gluten-free food and drink which manufacturers voluntarily submit to. are suitable for people with coeliac diseaseA condition where a person is unable to eat gluten as it makes their body attack itself. . Even though the products in Section 2 are not specialist products and may not be labelled as ‘gluten-free’, they are still suitable for people with coeliac disease.
Food and Drink Directory 2010 - Q & A's
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Can I eat foods in both Sections?
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Why aren’t some manufacturers or brands listed in the Directory?
Even though we invite over 350 food manufacturers to be listed in the Food and Drink DirectoryOur annual Directory of gluten-free food and drink which manufacturers voluntarily submit to. , not all manufacturers wish to, or are able to, provide us with information to go into the Directory.
You can tell whether something is gluten-freeWhen a food has less than 20 parts per million (ppm) of gluten so it is safe for people with coeliac disease to eat. from the ingredients list. All pre-packaged food bought in the UK are covered by the current EU-wide food labelling legislation. This means that if glutenA protein that is found in the cereals wheat, barley and rye. is used as a deliberate ingredient it must appear on the ingredients list, no matter how much is used.
Manufacturers will name the grain, for example, wheat, rye, barley, oats, or some will use the word gluten as well such as wheat gluten. This information must be declared in the ingredients list, whereas the allergy advice box is only a recommendation and is not compulsory. Therefore it is important to check both the ingredients list and the allergy advice box.
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Can I only eat products listed in the Food and Drink Directory?
No. You do not have to limit yourself to products listed in the Food and Drink DirectoryOur annual Directory of gluten-free food and drink which manufacturers voluntarily submit to. .
The gluten-freeWhen a food has less than 20 parts per million (ppm) of gluten so it is safe for people with coeliac disease to eat. diet is made up of naturally glutenA protein that is found in the cereals wheat, barley and rye. -free foods such as fruit and vegetables, meat, fish and poultry, eggs, cream, milk, rice, potatoes, pulses and beans. Other foods available include gluten-free substitute products you can get on prescription, supermarket ‘free from’ aisles and health food stores. Also you can eat processed foods which happen to be gluten-free such as ready meals, sauces and yoghurts.
You can tell whether a pre-packed food is gluten-free by reading the ingredients list. All pre-packaged food bought in the UK are covered by the current EU-wide food labelling legislation. This means that any ingredients which contain gluten and is used as a deliberate ingredient in a product must be listed on the ingredients list, no matter how much is used. Manufacturers will name the particular grain for example; wheat, rye, barley, oats, or some will use the word gluten as well, such as, wheat gluten. This information must be declared in the ingredients list, whereas the allergy advice box is only a recommendation and is not compulsory. Therefore it is important to check both the ingredients list and the allergy advice box.
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If a product says it is gluten-free on the label, but is not listed in the Directory, can I eat it?
Yes. Not all manufacturers wish to or are able to provide us with information to go into the Directory. If a product states that it is ‘gluten-free’ or ‘suitable for coeliacs’, it will be suitable for a glutenA protein that is found in the cereals wheat, barley and rye. -free diet.
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How do I update my Food and Drink Directory?
It is very important that you update your Food and Drink DirectoryOur annual Directory of gluten-free food and drink which manufacturers voluntarily submit to. . We provide monthly updates to keep your Food and Drink Directory up-to date. You can update your Food and Drink Directory by the following methods listed on page 9 of the 2010 Directory;
- on our website homepage
- by following the links on the electronic newsletter, eXGOur online email newsletter which is sent to our Members each month.
- on Ceefax, BBC2, Page 657, for one week commencing the first Monday of each month
- on digital text service on BBC, by going to the Index and then Community Pages, for one week commencing the first Monday of each month
- via 24-hour recorded message on 01494 473510
- via post – please call 0845 305 2060 to request a copy
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Why aren’t Aldi, Booths, Budgens, Iceland and Lidl listed this year’s Directory?
We did contact these supermarkets but unfortunately they were not able to provide information for the Food and Drink DirectoryOur annual Directory of gluten-free food and drink which manufacturers voluntarily submit to. this year. If you would like information on the gluten-freeWhen a food has less than 20 parts per million (ppm) of gluten so it is safe for people with coeliac disease to eat. products sold in these supermarkets, please contact their customer services teams directly.
Aldi
0844 406 8800
Booths
01772 693 800
Budgens
0800 298 0758
Iceland
01244 842842
Lidl
0870 444 1234
Alternatively you can read the label of products in these supermarkets to see if they are suitable. All pre-packaged foods bought in the UK are covered by EU-wide allergenSomething which causes an allergic reaction. labelling legislation. This means that a glutenA protein that is found in the cereals wheat, barley and rye. -containing ingredient used as a deliberate ingredient in a product must appear on the ingredients list, regardless of the amount used.
Manufacturers must name the particular grain i.e. ‘wheat’, ‘rye’, ‘barley’, ‘oats’; or some will use the word ‘gluten’ as well i.e. ‘wheat gluten’.
This information must be declared in the ingredients list so it is always important to check the ingredients list to assess suitability of a product. Some manufacturers also use an allergy advice box to highlight the presence of gluten in a product. This is not compulsory but also helps in selection of products on a gluten-free diet.
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Bisto Best is now listed in the Directory but the label states that it is produced in a factory handling wheat. Can I eat it?
Since we de-listed Bisto Best from the Directory in September 2008, we have been in discussions with Premier Foods about their Bisto Best gravy granules. Although all the ingredients in the gravy granules had not changed, Premier Foods were unable to confirm that the product was not contaminated due to changes in packaging sites.
Due to continued pressure from Coeliac UK & our Members, Premier Foods carried out extensive testing and risk assessment to determine the levels of glutenA protein that is found in the cereals wheat, barley and rye. contamination in the product. Premier Foods provided substantial test results that confirm that the gravy granules contain a very low level of gluten within the safe levels for people with coeliac diseaseA condition where a person is unable to eat gluten as it makes their body attack itself. (the Codex standardThe standard by which gluten-free foods are measured. All gluten-free products need to get to below a certain limit to be considered either gluten-free or very low gluten. ).
We are now listing the following products in the 2010 Food and Drink DirectoryOur annual Directory of gluten-free food and drink which manufacturers voluntarily submit to. . The glass jars currently available to buy in the shops are suitable for eating on a gluten-freeWhen a food has less than 20 parts per million (ppm) of gluten so it is safe for people with coeliac disease to eat. diet.
Please be aware that the jars still have a ‘may contain’ statement but we have confirmed the product is suitable.
The following Bisto Best products are now suitable for a gluten-free diet:
BISTO BEST
Rich & Roasted Beef (glass jar) 200g
Rich & Roasted Beef (glass jar) 270g
Rich & Roasted Beef (glass jar) 350g
Rich & Roasted Chicken (glass jar) 200g
Rich & Roasted Chicken (glass jar) 270g
Rich & Roasted Chicken (glass jar) 350g
Rich & Roasted Pork (glass jar) 200g
Caramelised Onion (glass jar) 200g
Roasted Winter Vegetable (glass jar) 200g
Roast Lamb Gravy (glass jar) 200g
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Why are Morrisons free from products listed but there isn’t a Morrisons chapter at the back of the Directory?
Morrisons are unable to provide us with a list of their standard foods and have only provided us with a list of their ‘free from’ products listed in Section 1. You can still buy food from Morrisons but you will need to read the ingredients list. All pre-packaged foods bought in the UK are covered by EU-wide allergenSomething which causes an allergic reaction. labelling legislation. This means that a glutenA protein that is found in the cereals wheat, barley and rye. -containing ingredient used as a deliberate ingredient in a product must appear on the ingredients list, regardless of the amount used.
Manufacturers must name the particular grain i.e. ‘wheat’, ‘rye’, ‘barley’, ‘oats’; or some will use the word ‘gluten’ as well i.e. ‘wheat gluten’.
This information must be declared in the ingredients list so it is always important to check the ingredients list to assess suitability of a product. Some manufacturers also use an allergy advice box to highlight the presence of gluten in a product. This is not compulsory but also helps in selection of products on a gluten-freeWhen a food has less than 20 parts per million (ppm) of gluten so it is safe for people with coeliac disease to eat. diet.
To speak to Morrisons directly please contact their customer services team on 0845 611 6111 or via their website www.morrisons.co.uk
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Why aren’t Mars listed in the Directory?
Unfortunately, Mars are not willing to be listed in the Directory. We would advise you to contact Mars directly if you are concerned about a particular product on 0845 045 0042 or via their website www.mars.co.uk
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Why aren’t Walkers crisps listed in the Food and Drink Directory?
Unfortunately, Walkers do not wish to list their products in the Food and Drink DirectoryOur annual Directory of gluten-free food and drink which manufacturers voluntarily submit to. . For information on their products, you can contact them via their website on www.walkers-crisps.co.uk
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Why are Kellogg’s products not listed in this years Food and Drink Directory?
International rules on foods that can be labelled ‘gluten-free’ changed this year. The rules, known as the Codex standardThe standard by which gluten-free foods are measured. All gluten-free products need to get to below a certain limit to be considered either gluten-free or very low gluten. , set out how much glutenA protein that is found in the cereals wheat, barley and rye. can be found in foods and still be safe for people with coeliac diseaseA condition where a person is unable to eat gluten as it makes their body attack itself. to eat.
In July 2008, the very small amount of gluten that foods can contain was lowered even further. Kellogg’s breakfast cereals do not meet this new standard. Kellogg’s breakfast cereals were not listed in the 2009 Directory because they did not meet the older limit.
Many people may have eaten these products and not suffered any harm. We took advice from our independent, expert health advisers, who are leading consultant gastroenterologists who tell us there is very little chance of lasting gut damage. However, we would recommend swapping these cereals with alternatives which are listed in your Food and Drink DirectoryOur annual Directory of gluten-free food and drink which manufacturers voluntarily submit to. on the ‘Breakfast Cereals that contain barley malt extract’ pages in between Sections 1 and 2, or those in the Breakfast Cereals chapter in Section 1.
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Why are some of the breakfast cereals listed in between the Sections?
The breakfast cereals containing barley malt extractIs widely used in a food as a flavour enhancer. It depends on the quantity used as to whether or not people with coeliac disease can eat food that contains it. on the yellow pages are suitable for people with coeliac diseaseA condition where a person is unable to eat gluten as it makes their body attack itself. . Due to the layout of the Directory this year, these cereals do not fit into either Section and are quite unique. They contain a very small amount of barley malt extract as a flavouring and are tested to make sure that they only contain a tiny amount of glutenA protein that is found in the cereals wheat, barley and rye. which is within the safe levels.
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What should I do if a product I have bought contains gluten although it is listed in the Food and Drink Directory?
Manufacturers sometimes change their ingredients without notifying us. If you do find that a product in the Directory is not gluten-freeWhen a food has less than 20 parts per million (ppm) of gluten so it is safe for people with coeliac disease to eat. , please do contact us on 0845 305 2060, so that we can investigate.
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Green and Blacks products are listed in the Food and Drink Directory but some of their products state they are made in a factory that handles wheat ingredients. Are these safe to eat?
Green & Blacks have stated that there is a small risk of cross-contamination. Their products are tested regularly and the results are within the Codex standardThe standard by which gluten-free foods are measured. All gluten-free products need to get to below a certain limit to be considered either gluten-free or very low gluten. . Their extensive clean down procedures and declaration that they are free fromA range of food that is free from certain allergens - for example gluten or dairy. glutenA protein that is found in the cereals wheat, barley and rye. demonstrate their suitability so we list these in the Food and Drink DirectoryOur annual Directory of gluten-free food and drink which manufacturers voluntarily submit to. .
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Why aren’t naturally gluten-free foods listed, such as vegetables, bacon and eggs? Can I eat these foods?
Some foods are naturally gluten-freeWhen a food has less than 20 parts per million (ppm) of gluten so it is safe for people with coeliac disease to eat. . For example, meat, fish, eggs, fruit and vegetables are all glutenA protein that is found in the cereals wheat, barley and rye. -free and so listing these in the Directory would mean the Directory would be unnecessarily large. We list foods on pages 6-8 of the Directory which are naturally gluten-free and produce a gluten-free checklist which you may find useful. You can download this from our website page from the ‘Gluten-free diet’ tab on the homepage.
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Why are the supermarkets listed separately in the Directory?
The way that people use the Food and Drink DirectoryOur annual Directory of gluten-free food and drink which manufacturers voluntarily submit to. varies between individuals. We list the supermarket own-brands separately as many Members only go to one or two supermarkets and so all of their own-brand products are listed in one place.
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Why are there two Sections?
This year there are two Sections because of new legislation published in January 2009. We now have two Sections – Section 1 lists foods that comply with this new legislation and Section 2 lists foods that comply with the 2005 allergenSomething which causes an allergic reaction. labelling legislation based on deliberate ingredients. For more information on how the Sections work, see the introduction pages at the front of each Section.
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Which foods are listed in Section 1?
Section 1 contains products that may be labelled as ‘gluten-free’. This term is based on the level of glutenA protein that is found in the cereals wheat, barley and rye. according to a European regulation (EC 41/2009). Recent evidence indicates people with coeliac diseaseA condition where a person is unable to eat gluten as it makes their body attack itself. can eat unlimited amounts of foods with a gluten level of less than 20 parts per million (ppmParts per million. ) which is the level accepted as being a safe level for labelling products as ‘gluten-free.’
This European regulation was published in January 2009 and manufacturers will have 3 years to enable them to make all necessary changes to product ranges and labels before the law becomes mandatory in January 2012.
You will find the following types of products in Section 1:
- prescription products
- own-brand products that you would normally find in the ‘Free From’ section of the supermarket
- specialist, substitute products that you would normally find in the ‘Free From’ section of the supermarket or buy directly from the manufacturer
- some mainstream products that satisfy the new law
Products that contain less than 20ppm may be labelled ‘gluten-free’. This labelling term can apply to naturally gluten-free products, products which contain Codex wheat starchA specially manufactured kind of wheat starch that has been washed to reduce the level of gluten to a trace level within the Codex standard. and pure, uncontaminated oat products which are less than 20ppm.
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Which foods are listed in Section 2?
Products listed in Section 2 are ‘Everyday Foods’ that you can buy in a supermarket and include as part of the dietary management of your condition. This Section is based on allergenSomething which causes an allergic reaction. labelling law that was introduced in 2005 (2003/89 EC). Products are listed in this Section because they do not contain the ingredients wheat, barley, rye and oats as a deliberate ingredient. Coeliac UK communicates with the manufacturers about the ingredients used in these products and the contamination risk in the production process to ensure that the products are safe to be eaten.
Packaged foods in the UK have to list all ingredients on the label no matter how much is used and also identify allergens like glutenA protein that is found in the cereals wheat, barley and rye. that are present. It is the specific grains containing gluten – WHEAT, BARLEY, RYE and OATS – that must be identified in the ingredients list.
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If products in Section 1 contain less than 20ppm gluten, what is the level of foods in Section 2?
We do not have glutenA protein that is found in the cereals wheat, barley and rye. levels for the products in Section 2. The products in Section 2 are not specialist products or the manufacturers did not provide test results. They do not contain any gluten in the ingredients list. The manufacturers provided us with assurance that there is not a risk of contamination so that these products listed can be safely included in a gluten-freeWhen a food has less than 20 parts per million (ppm) of gluten so it is safe for people with coeliac disease to eat. diet.
All pre-packaged foods bought in the UK are covered by EU-wide allergenSomething which causes an allergic reaction. labelling legislation. You can tell from a product ingredients list whether a food is suitable or not. If a gluten-containing ingredient is used as a deliberate ingredient in a product it must appear on the ingredients list, regardless of the amount used.
Manufacturers must name the particular grain i.e. ‘wheat’, ‘rye’, ‘barley’, ‘oats’; or some will use the word ‘gluten’ as well i.e. ‘wheat gluten’.
This information must be declared in the ingredients list so it is always important to check the ingredients list to assess suitability of a product. Some manufacturers also use an allergy advice box to highlight the presence of gluten in a product. This is not compulsory but also helps in selection of products on a gluten-free diet.
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Why are Lifestyle only listed in the prescribable chapter now?
Lifestyle’s product list they submitted to us only includes prescribable products. For more information, please contact them directly on 0845 270 1400 or via their website www.gfdiet.com
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Why aren’t Wall’s in the Directory this year?
Unfortunately, Unilever who make Walls’ products, did not provide us with any information about Walls ice creams for inclusion in the Directory.
You can still eat many of the Walls products but you will need to read the ingredients list. All pre-packaged foods bought in the UK are covered by EU-wide allergenSomething which causes an allergic reaction. labelling legislation. This means that a glutenA protein that is found in the cereals wheat, barley and rye. -containing ingredient used as a deliberate ingredient in a product must appear on the ingredients list, regardless of the amount used.
Manufacturers must name the particular grain i.e. ‘wheat’, ‘rye’, ‘barley’, ‘oats’; or some will use the word ‘gluten’ as well i.e. ‘wheat gluten’.
This information must be declared in the ingredients list so it is always important to check the ingredients list to assess suitability of a product. Some manufacturers also use an allergy advice box to highlight the presence of gluten in a product. This is not compulsory but also helps in selection of products on a gluten-freeWhen a food has less than 20 parts per million (ppm) of gluten so it is safe for people with coeliac disease to eat. diet.
To speak to Walls directly you can contact their customer services team on 0800 731 1507 or via their website www.walls.co.uk
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Why aren’t Schar products in the Directory this year?
Schar have recently discontinued some of the products and will be continuing to replace some other products with equivalents in the Glutafin range. They did not want to list products that could be discontinued throughout the year. If you contact the Glutafin careline they can help you to find an alternative product and are happy to send out sample for you to try.
Glutafin careline: 0800 988 2470
E-Mail: Glutenfree@glutafin.co.uk
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Why aren’t Somerfield listed in the Directory this year?
In March 2009 Somerfield plc joined The Co-operative Group family. Somerfield products are slowly changing over to the Co-op brand and Somerfield stores will start to disappear. They did not wish to list in the 2010 Directory. If you bought a Somerfield product recently you can still eat many of their products and can check whether it is suitable by reading the ingredients list.
All pre-packaged foods bought in the UK are covered by EU-wide allergenSomething which causes an allergic reaction. labelling legislation. This means that a glutenA protein that is found in the cereals wheat, barley and rye. -containing ingredient used as a deliberate ingredient in a product must appear on the ingredients list, regardless of the amount used.
Manufacturers must name the particular grain i.e. ‘wheat’, ‘rye’, ‘barley’, ‘oats’; or some will use the word ‘gluten’ as well i.e. ‘wheat gluten’.
This information must be declared in the ingredients list so it is always important to check the ingredients list to assess suitability of a product. Some manufacturers also use an allergy advice box to highlight the presence of gluten in a product. This is not compulsory but also helps in selection of products on a gluten-freeWhen a food has less than 20 parts per million (ppm) of gluten so it is safe for people with coeliac disease to eat. diet.
To speak to Somerfield directly please contact their customer services team on 0800 0686 727 or via their website www.somerfield.co.uk
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