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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.
{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }
I haven't really looked too much into this but I have always thought all pure un-contaminated oats were okay for us to eat. I had no idea it was only okay to a certain limit.
I will be looking into this further. Thank you for the information!
I am lucky enough to be able to consume gluten-free oats.
That being said, I think that labelling oats as gluten-free would be the same as labelling spelt or kamut as gluten-free. Just because some gf people can tolerate them, just as many can't. In my mind, if everyone gluten-free can't enjoy them, then those products shouldn't be eligible for a gluten-free label.
ok this is freakin ridiculous! its like how the gov't (at least down here in the states) says taht a little bit of formaldehyde or arsenic (OMG) is allowed in food. for real? really? arsenic? no wonder my brain isnt working, i've been eating arsenic for 43 years!! hence, my struggle to become vegan. trust no one.
I don't like it. Not everyone can tollerate oats. Both my son and I eat gluten free and I can have small amounts of oats but he can not even tollerate any amount of oat without making him very ill.
I have so much to learn. I had no idea about oats at all! Of course we were only wheat free until a few days ago, so I’m just now trying to get the info we need.
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