Probiotics labeled “gluten-free” would contain traces of gluten. A potential danger for patients suffering from celiac pathologies.
Of the probiotics labeled “gluten-free,” more than half contain traces of it, according to an analysis by researchers at the Center for Celiac Disease at Columbia University. They tested the 22 best-selling products in the United States and found the presence of gluten in 12 of them.
Probiotics, which can be found in dairy products, are increasingly sold as food supplements. These living microorganisms help rebalance the intestinal flora. This is why many patients suffering from celiac pathologies consume it. However, “we have already reported that these patients presented more symptoms than non-consumers. We therefore wanted to know if the probiotics were contaminated by gluten ”, explains Samantha Nazareth, gastroenterologist and one of the authors of the study, which will be presented at the Digestive Disorders Week in Washington DC.
False labels
It is true that today, almost all foods contain gluten. Naturally present in wheat, rye or barley, manufacturers add it everywhere because it promotes fermentation. An ingredient that should absolutely be avoided by people with celiac disease or those with gluten intolerance.
“We have followed with interest the scientific literature and information regarding mislabelling of dietary supplements, and it has emerged that labels claiming that the product is gluten-free cannot be trusted, at least with regard to probiotics, ”says Peter Green, director of the Celiac Center.
Raises many questions
While the dangers are known to the sick, the presence of gluten in products believed to be gluten free raises many questions. “Why do these products have traces of gluten? Why should consumers pay attention to these labels (if they are false and misleading)? And given the growing consumer interest in probiotics, what are regulatory authorities doing to protect them? », Asks Benjamin Lebwohl, co-author of the study.
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