Which Refried Beans Are Safe?

[NoGluGirl]

Dear Fellow Vegiacs,
I have been craving bean burritos. The trouble is, I am not sure which ones are gluten-free. Ortega was supposed to have an excellent labeling policy, but know some companies have been changing their policies and formulas recently. I prefer fat-free refried beans when possible, since I have to watch my fat intake due to having my gallbladder out. Your help is greatly appreciated!

Sincerely,
NoGluGirl

[Zloduska]

Eden brands are great about listing allergens, I think they have some beans that are GF, plus they have a GF listing online at their website. Plus Amy's is great about labeling stuff. I think they also have GF beans.

[NoGluGirl]

Dear Zloduska,
They probably carry Eden Foods at my favorite healthfood store. I am afraid to eat Amy's foods, because I heard from other Celiacs they got sick from cross-contamination issues. I become violently ill from a microscopic amount of gluten, so I cannot risk that. My body is not happy. We may have toxic mold in the house, so I have extreme sensitivities.

Sincerely,
NoGluGirl

[Rosie]

I am not sure if they are carried nationally but Full Circle brand makes a gluten free refried bean-

[NoGluGirl]

Dear Rosie,
Our Schnuck's gets Full Circle products! Do you use their rice milk? I was wondering if they clearly label gluten. I found out the Rice Dream still has gluten in it, even though it was labeled gluten-free. No wonder I was not recovering!

Sincerely,
NoGluGirl

[Zloduska]

Rice Dream still has gluten in it? That seems counter-intuitive since you'd think something sold as health food and rice-based would be GF. Anyway, as far as Amy's foods, I've noticed that their labeling varies a lot. Some things say "No Gluten Ingredients", some say "Gluten Free", some have an 'allergen warning' at the bottom about cross contamination, and some don't. I seem to tolerate the ones that say "Gluten Free" with no allergen warning, and I'm really sensitive too. Their pizza didn't make me sick. You may be different. I'd say try the GF kind, and good luck.

[xvegangirlx]

Rice dream has gluten in it, because it is made with koji (an enzyme) that comes from barley. They make rice dream the same way amazake is made, by fermenting cooked rice with koji and then blending it.

I've used Amy's GF non dairy pizza, and it was really good.

[lisac957]

Why does Rice Dream say their products are gluten free if they are not? Is this one of those things where the levels are below the "standard" so they can claim it?

Taste The Dream - Special Dietary Restrictions: Gluten Free

[NoGluGirl]

Dear Zloduska,
I agree that it is wrong for Rice Dream to be labeled gluten-free when it is not. Barley is still present in it, as xvegangirlx stated. Truth be told, the FDA does very little to monitor these products. A Chicago Tribune article a while back reported about a boy with a severe wheat allergy going into anaphylactic shock after consuming Wellshire Farm's Gluten-Free Chicken Nuggets. The 6 year-old boy was administered epinephrine immediately, and later recovered at the hospital.

His mother was furious. She knew there is no way he would react to it unless there was some form of wheat present in the food. The mother called the FDA, which told her to test the food herself. Aggravated, she still took the remaining packages to the lab. They tested positive for far beyond the safe limit. Consumers should not be left doing the FDA's job!

Here is how intelligent these people who are responsible for our food safety are. A teenager had a similar reaction to a chocolate chip muffin mix.
She had a severe allergy to dairy. The testers said they tested the mixture over and over again, but could not locate the milk. Guess what they forgot to test? The milk chocolate chips in the mix! No wonder everyone continues to get food poisoning with these morons running things! Can you say "Duh?"

Dear xvegangirlx,
I am glad you posted about the koji. I was wondering where they were hiding it. This company is really pushing it. I am afraid to buy any Arrowhead Mills products now. Hain makes those as well. I will keep Amy's Pizza in mind.

Dear lisac957,
I believe you are right. According to what I understand, the Rice Dream is still under the legal limit. The only safe level of gluten is none! It is abhorrent that these companies are allowed to get away with this. You would think a better regulation system would exist.

Sincerely,
NoGluGirl

[Valerie]

Why not make your own refried beans? They are very easy to make. You can start with dry beans and then you *know* they are gf. Just freeze the leftovers.