

Canada issued a Marketing Authorization in 2015 that allows the use of gluten-free claims for gluten-free oats, and foods that contain them, as ingredients. Most European countries allow oats in products labeled gluten-free. Therefore, the allowance of oats that are not contaminated with wheat, rye or barley in foods covered by this standard may be determined at the national level.” “Oats can be tolerated by most, but not all, people who are intolerant to gluten. However, in a footnote, the Codex standard states : The Codex includes oats in its definition of gluten grains. Here’s a breakdown of oats and oat processing to help clear up widespread confusion about the safety of oats as well as oat flour.įact 1: Oats are not considered a gluten source in many countries.Īs we mentioned above, oats are not typically placed in the same category as wheat, barley, or rye when it comes to gluten regulations.Ĭanada, Europe, and many other countries follow a uniform set of guidelines to ensure food safety called Codex Alimentarius Standard_118-1979. Read more about agricultural commingling in our article, “ Gluten in Your Food: Cross-Contact or Cross-Contamination?”Īgricultural comingling and c ross-contact with gluten are valid concern s with oats, leading to the question “Are these oats really gluten-free?”
#Gluten free oatmeal pro#
The term for gluten grains getting into non-gluten grains during growth, harvest, transport, or storag e is “ agricultural comingling ” and the pro per term for gluten getting into non-gluten foods during processing is “ cross-contact” (not cross-contamination which describes bacteria such as salmonella, not food particles). The concern with oats is that they co me into contact with gluten grains from the field to processing. Unlike wheat, barley, and rye, oats are not considered a source of gluten in many countries. Oats are not considered a top allergen, and in their pure form, oats are safe for the majority of people with celiac disease. Oats are a hot button topic within the celiac and gluten-free communities.
