In Canada for a product to be labeled or implied that it is gluten free it must be free from wheat, barley, rye, oats and their derivatives. This month Health Canada is looking for feedback on proposals to change the labeling to remove oats as a gluten free restriction.
Oats have for a long time been thought to be an unsafe grain for celiac disease triggering the same autoimmune symptoms. Studies have emerged that have shown that “pure uncontaminated oats” are safe for consumption for celiac disease sufferers and with a lot of push from consumers Health Canada is looking to allow these products {"pure uncontaminated oats"}
to be labeled “Gluten Free”.
Health Canada is hoping to change the labeling laws in order to:
minimize the risk of inadvertent consumption and to maximize the choices
of gluten free foods for individuals and families following the gluten
free diet
The problem is not all people with celiac disease can safely consume oats. Health Canada even acknowledges this by saying that
most Canadians are able to tolerate moderate amounts of oats in their diet.
I know for myself I am not able to tolerate oats and I don't want to have to check every “gluten free” label to make sure there are no oats in the product. And what is this “moderate amount” they are talking about?
In a great post written by one of the very best, and my favourite gluten free companies, Kinnikinnick addresses this issue. According to studies they have read, the safe amount of oats that can be consumed per day is only around 50-70g of pure uncontaminated oats. That is like the equivalent to your morning bowl of oatmeal. The problem with this is lets say you enjoyed your oatmeal before heading off to work – then you were offered a gluten free oatmeal cookie at the office. Do you need to calculate in your head how many grams of oatmeal you have had today to make sure you don't go over your safety limit?
Gluten free is not a “fad” for people with celiac disease. It is the only way we can ensure our safety. By allowing oats {un-contaminated or not} we are adding risk to those of us who can not tolerate the grain and adding more confusion when it comes to how much we can eat.
If someone wishes to consume “pure un-contaminated oats” on their own terms – let them seek that option out for themselves but let's keep the labels safe for those who need it safe and NOT include oats as gluten free.
Edited to add: Want to make it clear that I understand that the proposition is looking at allowing "pure uncontaminated oats" into the gluten free labeling. When I write "oats" I am speaking even for "pure uncontaminated" oats.
:: Would love to hear your $0.02! ::
Edited to add:
Head over to Health Canada's website and leave your $0.02 there too - they are taking comments until July 11th
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