Dear Quorn, what is gluten-free roasted barley malt extract?
Weird – the USA FAQs claim that the grounds are part of their gluten-free products:
Quorn Chik’n Tenders, Grounds, Turk’y Roast, and Naked Chik’n Cutlets are suitable for a gluten-free diet. All allergens are clearly marked on the back of each package within the ingredient declaration and allergy advice section.
BUT – online they do not advertise them as gluten-free. http://www.quorn.us/food/cooking-from-scratch/grounds/ and it contains roasted barley malt extract too.
WHAT GIVES? Submitting this to Gluten Free Watchdog for more answers!
FOLLOW UP:
Tricia Thompson (via GF Watchdog Facebook page) “Gluten Free Watchdog, LLC Erica, barley malt, barley malt extract, and barley malt flavoring are not allowed in labeled gluten-free foods in the US. This is getting tiresome. Quorn joins Aldi, Burt’s and Bosco as manufacturers currently using these ingredients in gluten-free products. It doesn’t matter if “gluten-free” is used as a qualifier before the ingredient and it doesn’t matter if the final product tests below 20 ppm. Please contact the manufacturer via email and see how they respond in writing. Please keep me posted.”
They say (via Twitter)
@QuornUS: “Our Grounds products actually contain <20ppm gluten enabling them to be certified by @Coeliac_UK quorn.co.uk/gluten-free/“
They say (via comment section):
“The Quorn Grounds actually have less than 20 parts-per-million of gluten which allows them to be certified Gluten-Free by the UK Coeliac Society where most Quorn products are produced. For more information, http://www.quorn.co.uk/gluten-free/ or email customer.services@quornfoods.com”
We say: NOPE!
(via Twitter) @GFWatchdog: @QuornUS The information @CeliacBeast is providing is accurate. Per FDA gluten-free labeling rules barley malt ingredients are NOT allowed.
@GFWatchdog: @CeliacBeast @QuornUS @Coeliac_UK Again, Erica is correct. It doesn’t matter how much gluten the final product contains.
@GFWatchdog: @CeliacBeast @QuornUS @Coeliac_UK Imported products must comply w/ US labeling laws which differ from those in UK. Barley malt not allowed.
Update 2/16
Gluten Free Watchdog is taking this over, along with other gluten-free products that contain barley malt as well. Here’s her update: https://www.glutenfreewatchdog.org/news/attention-gluten-free-manufacturers-important-information-about-malt/
Hi Erica,
The Quorn Grounds actually have less than 20 parts-per-million of gluten which allows them to be certified Gluten-Free by the UK Coeliac Society where most Quorn products are produced. For more information, http://www.quorn.co.uk/gluten-free/ or email customer.services@quornfoods.com
Thank you so much for this. I just made what I thought was a gluten free spaghetti with quorn grounds. I was having really horrible heart palpitations (one of my symptoms with gluten intolerance) and I went straight to google. Now I have to give it all away. This is very disappointing.
gave me horrible cramps
Just had these for the first time and got instant stomach pains and severe exhaustion. This is the longest I’ve gone not being sick, and my body was finally starting to act right again, and had to get sick from a “gluten free” product. I’m so angry right now.
I’m so angry.. I bought the Quorn mince as labelled Gluten free now I’m really unwell and then discovered it contains Barley Malt extract which is NOT ok for celiacs
. I bought the Quorn mince as labelled Gluten free now I’m really unwell and then discovered it contains Barley Malt extract which is NOT ok for celiacs