We served root beer at a celiac association event recently and we got some questions about whether the root beer was gluten free. The ingredient list included “modified food starch” and some people thought that meant it couldn’t be gluten free.
In fact, the modified food starch was from corn. This information was clear on the company web site and from the telephone customer service agents.
When we talk about ingredients that might be made from a gluten-containing grain, it means that you have to ask about the product, not that it automatically contains gluten. I consider those ingredients “yellow light” ingredients (caution and research needed before you eat the product) not “red light” ingredients (gluten-containing ingredients) which automatically mean the product is off limits.
The good news is that new labeling requirements coming in the U.S. and Canada mean that you won’t see an ingredient like “modified food starch” very often any more. The source of the starch will have to be identified. For now, keep reading those labels and asking questions and you will have lots of choice.
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