If you’re an individual with Celiac Disease, or you’re trying a gluten-free diet, you may know how tough it can be to navigate the grocery store aisles. There are the well-known sources of gluten – foods like bread, baked goods, crackers and pastas. But gluten can be hiding in many places you might not expect.
Reading the Label
If you are avoiding gluten, it is important to read the label of all products. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency defines gluten sources as barley, oats, rye, triticale and wheat. If any of these sources are present in a product, the source must be declared on the label of a product.
You will find the gluten source:
- In the ingredient list
- In a Contains statement immediately following the ingredient list
- If one of these gluten sources appear in a May contain statement, it means the product may have come in contact with a gluten source.
There are a number of foods where gluten hides. Here are just a few examples of common items that contain gluten sources:
- Salad dressings and cooking sauces often include gluten-containing ingredients as a thickening agent.
- Dried dates are tossed in flour to prevent them from sticking together.
- Nuts are naturally gluten-free; however, some producers may add seasoning or flour before roasting. There is also the risk of cross-contamination if nuts are processed and packaged in the same facility as other gluten-containing foods.
- Processed meats like cold cuts, sausages, and hot dogs may contain gluten-containing ingredients, which are used as a binding agent.
- Ice creams, chocolate bars and chocolate chips often contain gluten-containing ingredients, which are used as a thickening agent.
- Non-food items like toothpaste and mouthwash may also contain gluten.
This is why it’s important to read the product’s label. An easy way to know if a packaged product is gluten-free is to check the packaging for a gluten-free certification. The Canadian Celiac Association (CCA) endorses the Gluten-Free Certification Program (GFCP) trademark*, which assures you that products with this logo are safe, reliable and come from a certified manufacturing facility, which have met or exceeded the CCA food safety standards required by the GFCP.Image may be NSFW.
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All our Compliments Gluten-Free products carry the GFCP trademark* and are available at your local Sobeys. These gluten-free products taste great – but don’t just take our word for it. These products were taste-tested by a panel of customers who have celiac disease, and they were wowed by the great flavours and textures.
Visit your local Sobeys Extra where in-store dietitians and Wellbeing Counsellors can help you discover gluten-free options that fit your lifestyle. Sobeys Extra stores offer free classes and store tours that focus on gluten-free foods. Drop by the customer service desk to get a copy of upcoming classes, book an appointment with your Sobeys dietitian, or visit the Wellbeing section to chat with your Wellbeing Counsellor. We’re here to help you make nutritionally sound choices that are easy and delicious!
May is National Celiac Awareness Month and Sobeys is proud to support with Gluten-Free Food Fairs. Click here for information and to find in-store events at a store near you.
Diana Chard is a Wellbeing Counsellor at Mill Cove Sobeys in Bedford, Nova Scotia. You can find her in the Wellbeing and Natural Source Department (look for her ocean-coloured lab coat) where she’s happy to answer your questions about gluten-free foods, other types of foods and diets, or nutritional supplements.
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