In 2019, we wrote about a consumer complaint we received for a labeled gluten-free soup. The product includes the ingredient “flavors (including yeast extract).” Long story short, the consumer who contacted us was told by customer service representatives that brewer’s yeast is the source of the yeast extract. However, she did not receive a definitive answer regarding whether the brewer’s yeast is spent brewer’s yeast. Fast forward to 2024. Gluten Free Watchdog received a consumer inquiry about the autolyzed yeast extract ingredient in Idahoan Cheesy Scalloped Homestyle Casserole. The consumer ..read more

Celiac disease is serious. It would be helpful if manufacturers and the FDA acknowledged this in recall notices for undeclared wheat. This is particularly important when a product is labeled gluten-free or makes a “made with no gluten-containing ingredients”* claim on product packaging. Two recent recalls for undeclared wheat state in the company announcement that, “People who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to wheat run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume this product.” BUT there is no mention of the risk to folks with celiac disease. Wegmans Food M ..read more

To download the poster presented at the Asia-Oceania Mass Spectrometry Conference, please see: https://www.glutenfreewatchdog.org/news/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/PosterAOMSC20230703_AO-MSC_MN_Poster.pdf AOMSC 2023 Poster Abstract Investigation of foods containing beta-amylase for gluten content Mitchell G. Nye-Wood (a), Tricia Thompson (b), Margaret Clegg (b), Michelle L. Colgrave (*a) School of Science, and Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science, Edith Cowan University, Perth, WA, Australia (a) Gluten Free Watchdog, LLC, Manchester, MA ..read more

On October 18, 2023 Gluten Free Watchdog submitted comments to the public docket No. FDA-2023-N- 2393 (Modernizing the Recall Process) expanding upon our September 29, 2023 presentation Improving FDA Recalls: A Texas Case Study given at the public meeting held by FDA. Our comments can be viewed at https://www.glutenfreewatchdog.org/news/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/FDACommentreRecallsGFWDfinal.pdf. Please consider submitting a comment to the docket in support of comments submitted by Gluten Free Watchdog. Comments are due soon–October 27th. To submit, please go to https://www.regulations.gov/do ..read more

This bill would require medication labels to identify ingredients in drugs that are derived directly or indirectly from major food allergens or gluten-containing grains. Has your representative cosponsored this bill (H.R.4263)? Original Cosponsors: Rep. Lawler, Michael [R-NY-1] Rep. Sherrill, Mikie [D-NJ-11] Rep. Gallagher, Mike [R-WI-8] Additional Cosponsors as of September 22, 2023: Rep. Lofgren, Zoe [D-CA-18]   Rep. Fitzpatrick, Brian K. [R-PA-1]       Rep. Vargas, Juan [D-CA-52]   Rep. Allred, Colin Z. [D-TX-32] Rep. Bacon, Don [R-NE-2]&nbs ..read more

The Food and Drug Administration is holding a public meeting, Modernizing Recalls of FDA-Regulated Commodities on September 29, 2023 09:00 AM Eastern Time (US and Canada). You can register to attend the listening session virtually at https://www.fda.gov/food/cfsan-constituent-updates/fda-announces-public-meeting-modernize-recalls-fda-regulated-commodities Adam Rapp, pro-bono counsel to Gluten Free Watchdog will be presenting on our experiences. We have been advised that our presentation has been slotted between 11 am and noon (eastern time). Hope to “see” you there! The post Public FDA meeting ..read more

September 6, 2023 In the experimental work undertaken for our study, Consumer-Led Investigation into Potential Issues That Arise When Testing Dairy Matrixes for Gluten with the NIMA Sensor* we observed a possible disconnect between the result reported by the NIMA sensor and an interpretation of the LFD strip result when assessed by eye. For more information, please see the study link below. LFD test strips and corresponding NIMA sensor readings. Photo credit: Johnna Perry. * Tricia Thompson, Adrian Rogers, Johnna Perry. Consumer-Led Investigation into Potential Issues That Arise When Testing ..read more

August 31, 2023 Brief background: On March 30, 2023, Cargill issued a voluntary recall for soy flour and textured soy flour products manufactured between October 5, 2022, and March 29, 2023, after receiving test results with levels of gluten between 20 ppm and 50 ppm. The source of gluten is believed to be from agricultural co-mingling with rye that was planted as a cover crop. The soy flour is not sold directly to consumers. What we learned from the FOIA materials: Cargill learned of the gluten cross-contact from three customers (companies) who tested products for gluten. They believe the ..read more

For immediate release August 25, 2023: Consumer-Led Investigation into Potential Issues That Arise When Testing Dairy Matrixes for Gluten with the NIMA Sensor published in the Journal of AOAC International by Tricia Thompson, Adrian Rogers, and Johnna Perry. To read the abstract and for a link to the full free text of this article (click on the pdf icon) please see https://academic.oup.com/jaoac/advance-article/doi/10.1093/jaoacint/qsad092/7238205?login=false. Highlights Slight variations in weight and volume of test materials can result in false positive results when testing dairy matrixes (s ..read more

Gluten Free Watchdog was born a little over 12 years ago. This endeavor came to fruition because of the encouragement of Thomas Grace, CEO at Bia Diagnostics. We had recently completed a study on gluten cross contact in naturally gluten-free grains. While I had access to labs for testing, I wanted to make state-of-the-art gluten testing accessible and understandable to interested consumers with celiac disease and other gluten-related disorders. Thom’s positive reaction when I told him what I hoped to do, helped me to pursue this dream. I am forever grateful. Thank you, Thom! AND thank you to t ..read more