cereal and three buns

Non-Food Items That Aren’t Celiac Safe

Posted on by The Quill

By Kelly Waldron, Opinions Editor

What does the “Big Three” mean to you? Big three athletes? Actors? Ice cream flavors? For those with celiac disease, wheat, barley and rye are the “big three.” Celiac disease is an autoimmune disorder where your body is unable to properly digest gluten.  

Seasoned celiacs know to read their food labels and watch out for the hidden opponents like malt, wheat starch and cross contamination warnings. But the dangers aren’t limited to food items. Plates, cups, hygiene products and beauty products may all propose a danger to those with celiac disease and severe gluten sensitivities. 

It is important to know that a proper diagnosis is key to treating celiac disease or gluten sensitivity. I advise against making major lifestyle changes without seeking a medical opinion first, and to conduct your own research as medical information is always evolving. 

 

Paper Products 

Have you ever walked back to your kitchen table with a plate full of food that you’re so excited is gluten free? Well, if that food is on a paper plate, then you might want to think again. In the age of environmentally friendly party products, many biodegradable or compostable paper plates serve as a cause of cross-contamination. 

In an experiment published by the Journal of Agricultural Food and Chemistry, eight different types of biodegradable plates, cups and straws made of gluten-based ingredients were tested for food cross-contamination.  

According to the Celiac Disease Foundation, “While several items were made from wheat or wheat by-products, only one product identified as ‘dish 5’ contained significant gluten, and it was the only item marketed as an ‘eatable’… This product contained an extremely high gluten concentration of about 48,000 mg/kg… far above the gluten-free standard of 20mg/kg.” 

Although the gluten transfer rates depend on many factors like time, temperature, and type of food on the plate, and knowledge that not all biodegradable products present a high cross-contamination warning, the risks associated with paper products should remain on the Celiac radar. 

But paper plates aren’t the only danger for Celiacs using one-use paper products. Paper straws and cups may be better for the environment than plastic, but most are not celiac safe. Although there is mixed research found globally on paper straws containing gluten in glue used to keep the paper together, biodegradable straws and cups still pose similar threats to biodegradable paper plates.  

A better alternative for paper straws that are both environmentally friendly and safe for celiacs would be reusable, metal straws. Many travel kits with metal straws, a straw cleaner and case can be found online for celiacs on the go.  

The Celiac Disease Foundation recommends, “until allergen labeling is required for biodegradable and compostable tableware, it is safest to choose alternatives such as palm leaf or other verified gluten-free materials.” 

Make sure to check all brands of these products as the risks do vary from company to company, and keep in mind that recipes do change over time. 

 

On the Skin and in the Air: Soaps and Cleaning Products 

Those with Celiac or gluten sensitivities understand they need to read their food labels, but what about external products? Do gluten containing soaps and cleaning products effect Celiacs? 

The answer is yes.  

Celiac isn’t simply an internal health issue, and people with Celiac can experience topical irritation from gluten-containing products. However, the primary concern with external products is inhalation, accidental ingestion and similar consumption risks. Those with Celiac or gluten sensitivities are encouraged to check the ingredients on everything.  

The National Celiac Association encourages caution with aerosols, for risk of inhalation and soaps, for risk of ingestion. Especially when managing children with Celiac, it is important to remain cautious as children are more likely to accidentally ingest non-food products. 

Celiacs may also take safety a step further with gluten-free laundry detergent. However, research doesn’t consistently prove that gluten-containing detergent negatively affects those who are gluten-free. Since detergent doesn’t absorb into skin, it is loosely regarded as Celiac safe, but everyone is encouraged to conduct their own research. 

While looking into a better gluten-free lifestyle, Beyond Celiac warns that “ingredients derived from gluten-containing grains can sometimes appear under scientific or alternative names. For example, wheat can be called triticum, barley hordeum, and rye Secale,” so when picking soaps and detergents, it’s best to do your research and select certified gluten-free options if you are highly gluten-sensitive. 

 

Make-up Products: 

A major issue that gluten-free people face, particularly in the United States, is the labeling of products, especially non-food items. Companies are not required by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to label non-food products as gluten-free or containing gluten.  

So, for those who enjoy wearing make-up or using lip balm, there are more potential gluten risks involved. 

Lip products generally propose more of an issue for Celiacs considering someone is more likely to accidentally ingest it. Also, “Cosmetics are not covered under The Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act (FALCPA), meaning manufacturers are not required to label allergens explicitly,” according to Beyond Celiac.  

This makes lip product shopping difficult for those trying to avoid gluten because there’s no simple “certified gluten free” label to search for. Not to mention, many gluten-containing ingredients are placed under unsuspecting names.  

Beyond Celiac encourages those trying to avoid gluten in lip products to look out for ingredients such as: 

  • Triticum lipids 
  • Triticum vulgare 
  • Hordeum vulgare extract 
  • Malt extract 
  • Cyclodextrin, dextrin 
  • Dextrin palmitate 
  • Hydrolyzed vegetable protein 
  • Secale cereale seed flour 
  • Triticum amino acids 
  • Yeast extract 

Very Well Fit also warns against the following ingredients: 

  • Avena sativa (oat bran) 
  • Colloidal oatmeal 
  • Hordeum vulgare (barley) 
  • Oats (unless labeled “gluten-free”)  
  • Secale cereale (rye seed) 
  • Tocopherols 
  • Tocotrienols 
  • Triticum vulgare (wheat bran) 
  • Triticum vulgare (wheat bran) 
  • Vitamin E (could be derived from wheat) 

Both articles list a variety of gluten-free brands, or brands that offer gluten-free products, such as Beauty by Earth, BeeNakedBalm, Blistex, Dr. Bronner’s, Earth’s Daughter, Eco Lips, eos, Hurraw!, Kiss My Face, La Lune Naturals, Pangea Organics, Sky Organics, Sun Bum, Badger Balm (ChapStick), Bare Minerals, BITE Beauty, Ecco Bella, E.L.F, Ilia, Inner Beauty Cosmetics and Tula. However, it is still important to check all ingredient lists and conduct your own research to find products that are both safe and in your price range. 

Although lip products pose the highest risk for Celiacs, some people can experience topical reactions to cosmetics containing gluten. So, it is important to check all creams, powders, blushes, etc. for hidden gluten-containing ingredients that may affect your skin. 

The Beyond Celiac article lists suggested brands and products for those looking to switch to gluten-free cosmetics. 

Overall, gluten is everywhere and those with Celiac disease can struggle to find safe alternatives with non-food items because of lack of warning labels and hard to understand ingredient lists.  

I implore those with celiac or celiac-like symptoms to get diagnosed, do your research, advocate for yourself and your symptoms and know that “too safe” doesn’t exist when your health is on the line.  

 

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