GLUTEN CONTAMINATION IN RESTAURANTS
GASTROENTEROLOGY NERD ALERT:
GLUTEN CONTAMINATION IN RESTAURANTS
A recent article in Gastroenterology and Endoscopy News in April 2019 reports on findings out of Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons regarding the rate of gluten contamination found more than 5,000 samples of restaurant food that claimed to be gluten-free.
Celiac patients used a commercially available gluten detector (Nima Gluten Sensor, available on Amazon for roughly $280 plus $5 per test, use a pea size amount of food and have a yes or no for gluten in 2 minutes). The rate of gluten contamination was 22.3% at fast casual restaurants (chains where customers typically eat in the restaurant) and 33.3% in fast food restaurants (where the food in typically taken out). Rates of contamination were highest in pizza and pasta.
“…The new results support other evidence that patients with celiac disease should exercise caution when dining out.” One of the authors of the study, Dr. Lerner, points out that packaged food labeled gluten-free is regulated by the Federal Trade Commission, but no one regulates labeling in restaurants.
As far as the new technology used, the Nima Gluten Sensor, authorities have raised multiple concerns including limited ability to identify patchy cross-contamination, the inability to detect fermented gluten or gluten in liquids, and the tendency to flag foods that contain <20 ppm of gluten (a quantity deemed safe for the majority of celiac patients). At this time, major societies do not recommend using these types of devices, citing the absence of independent scientific data.
At Comprehensive Gastrointestinal Health, we love to stay up to date on the latest technological and scientific breakthroughs so that we can share the knowledge with our patients. If you need any help trying to sort out your complicated relationship with wheat-containing products, we can help. Please call 224.407.4400 or visit compgihealth.com to schedule an appointment.