We all know that when we eat packaged or processed foods that are not certified gluten-free, we are taking a chance, and may get sick. For many of us, even foods that say "gluten-free" may make us sick, since a product that contains less than 20 ppm gluten can still be called gluten-free. Note: I am one of many who are strongly against this proposition of calling less than 20 ppm gluten-free. Gluten-free should mean gluten-free.
So you may be wondering why I am bothering to tell you that something is NOT gluten-free, when that may seem obvious already. And the answer is, because there has been a lot of promoting of Quorn lately by bloggers calling Quorn gluten-free. While I hold no ill-will towards anyone, I feel like it is my duty to strongly disagree with this mistake, because Ashley threw up violently after eating Quorn.
I emailed Quorn to ask exactly how much gluten is in their product, and I was very appreciative to receive this response from them:
Dear Kelly
Thanks for your enquiry.
Unfortunately, we cannot be so specific about the amount of gluten in our roast.
All we can say is that the product contains 4% of a flavouring which contains 50% dextrose from wheat.
Therefore, the amount of wheat derivative in the product - dextrose - is 2%, but as dextrose is the sugar derived from wheat, the actual amount of gluten (the protein) present in the dextrose would be very low. Our flavouring supplier has specified that the flavouring does contain gluten above the level necessary to declare a product 'gluten free', so the amount of gluten in the flavouring is greater than 200ppm
Thank you once again for your enquiry and please do not hesitate to contact us again if you require any further information or advice.
Assuring you of our best attention at all times.
Yours sincerely
Tracey Cope
Consumer Care Advisor
Even though there isn't gluten listed on the ingredients, doesn't mean something is gluten-free. Poor Ashley threw up all day after eating Quorn. Just thought you should know the truth:
Quorn is NOT gluten-free.
Sincerely, Kelly
16 comments:
Kelly, I'm so glad you've shared this info because I've seen the "promotions" of other bloggers, too, on the Quorn products. I know we discussed this on Twitter a while back, but do you recall which product specifically that Ashley ate? I just looked at the product I thought you had mentioned and see wheat on the label. I looked at a bunch of the other "chicken" products, too, and they all show wheat. I know you would not have bought such products. So, I'm wondering if Quorn has changed their labeling since then.
Until I read this letter you received I didn't know that their products contained wheat. I was suspecting barley since that does not have to appear on the ingredients label. I had looked before on their site, too, and had not seen wheat. Of course, by law, any product that contains wheat must show that per the FACLPA. Again, if the product contained barley, the company would not have to indicate that (although most companies do) as it's not one of the eight major allergens identifed by the FALCPA.
I think this letter has answered some questions, but also presents a bit of a mystery. I guess the main thing now is to focus on this info and get it out to the masses so nobody will experience the horrid reaction that Ashley did. And, frankly, I'm not surprised she did have such a violent reaction. "greater than 200 ppm" is a lot of gluten for one who is gluten intolerant/celiac.
Thanks again, Kelly, for taking the time to contact the company and getting their response out to the public!
xo,
Shirley
Thanks Shirley! It was this: Turkey Roast that she ate, which does not list gluten or wheat on the ingredients.
PS This is also the same product (Turkey Roast) which is being promoted by bloggers as "gluten-free."
Kelly, as I suspected, I didn't click on the right product. Okay, this is an example of a product containing an undeclared allergen, which is grounds for a recall. This information should be reported to the FDA immediately. and personally, I'd suggest that you also respond to the company and say that they are in violation of the FALCPA, even cc'ing the other party on each of the letters. Maybe they'll do the right thing and immediately pull the product until it's labeled correctly. The American Celiac Disease Alliance, the driver for this law, should be able to help in providing contact info and further direction on how to pursue this for the most effect. In the mean time, let's spread the word as much as we can, as was done with the bakery case in NC where the fellow was knowingly selling regular bread as gluten free. This is no different. People are consuming this product thinking it's safe due to the erroneous labeling.
Shirley
Thank you Shirley! I knew you would know what to do. I will follow your suggestions.
Kelly,
The truth is that no matter whether Quorn is GF, vegetarian, vegan or what have you, these products are not good for ANYONE's health. They are full of toxic ingredients and are especially dangerous for children on the spectrum. As a society, we need to stop making substitutes and start relying on real, whole foods to nourish and heal our bodies. I hope you agree.
Katie,
I agree 100%. :-)
thanks for the awareness... I've never bought Quorn before, and now won't in the future.
Kelly,
I just reviewed the ingriedient list for the Quorn Turk'y Roast and although no wheat products are listed, there was another item that concerns me and perhaps could be the cuplrit of Ashley's reactions, aside from gluten or wheat. Listed in the ingriedients were "autolyzed yeast extract" , another word for MSG, a common flavor enhancer, quite a harmful neurotoxin, and a known allergen causing a wide range of symptoms.This could be the missing link to Ashley's terrible reaction. Manufacturers use quite a few terms to hide MSG.
Here is a very helpful website about MSG, hidden labeling, and its affects, especially to those with autism and ADD/ADHD:
http://healingautismandadhd.wordpress.com/2010/03/04/get-extra-msg/
another website about MSG and its wide range of adverse reactions, some of which may have experienced but never been able to pinpoint a culprit.:
http://www.truthinlabeling.org/adversereactions.html
I hope this is helpful and please let me know what you think.
-Audrey
Thank you Audrey! Ugh, I had no idea!
Most of the Quorn products contain a barley ingredient, and quite a few are breaded, so I would not expect (and they don't advertise) gluten-free.
I'm wheat-intolerant but not celiac. I eat the tenders and the grounds without a reaction, but I'll write to the company to see how much wheat is in them.
I do agree it's best to do whole foods. But it's a helper to have non-meat, pretty healthy stuff to throw in with a big batch of onions and peppers to make fajitas! Or taco "meat." We use it about twice a month. Not sure it's that much more processed than tofu...
nice post.i like the article
This is awful! I break out very easily for Celiac DH -a maddening rash that I have to take Dapsone for that alters your blood count so you're anemic. I try to be very, very careful with what I eat. I find there is very little I can eat now with allergies to dairy, milk, goat, egg, soy, wheat/gluten, flax, almonds. Your website the Spunky Coconut is such a blessing. Plan on getting your book too! Keep up the good work!
This is awful! I break out very easily for Celiac DH -a maddening rash that I have to take Dapsone for that alters your blood count so you're anemic. I try to be very, very careful with what I eat. I find there is very little I can eat now with allergies to dairy, milk, goat, egg, soy, wheat/gluten, flax, almonds. Your website the Spunky Coconut is such a blessing. Plan on getting your book too! Keep up the good work!
Kelly, I was going to say the same thing as Audrey about the "autolyzed yeast extract" in the ingredient list. Conner had a similar reaction (violently ill out of BOTH ends) a couple of years ago, and through my research figured out that it was most likely that (it was not from a Quorn product).
Also, on that note, when I was pregnant with my second, we went out to eat at a Chinese Restaurant that claimed that they did not add any MSG but that they could not verify what was in the products that they used. After about an hour of eating their food, i felt really weird and within two hours I was in pre-term labor at 32 weeks!! Spent 2 days in the hospital to stop the contractions! Now I am totally freaked out about any form of MSG! It is a total neurotoxin!
I wonder if it was a combination of both the gluten and the autolyzed yeast extract for Ashley?
I wanted all to know that many people without gluten problems can have issues with Quorn. My husband, who had *never* thrown up in his life, was violently ill for many hours after eating just a bite of a Quorn. This happened again many months later by accident. He is not allergic or sensitive to gluten! It might be the high concentration of the fungus? FYI, the company denied any responsibility, but if you do a search, you'll find there are many others like my husband. So, if you or your children tend to have allergies, do not try this stuff. It is not worth the risk.
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