Beano now lists wheat on their product

[mle_ii]

Beano, the digestive enzyme, now lists wheat on it's label. :( According to the website, the amount that is detected is less than the amount that can be chemically detected.

Now I'm at a loss as for what to do. The amount isn't measureable so is it still too much and can cause a reaction? Supposedly wheat is somehow used in the process of manufacturing the active ingredient, that is the enzyme Alpha-galactosidase.

This is found in their faq:
http://www.beanogas.com/BeanoFAQs.aspx

Does Beano® contain gluten?

The smallest amount of gluten that can be chemically detected in a product is 0.00016 percent. Results of our testing have shown that Beano® contains less than 0.00016 percent gluten. Although the amount of gluten in Beano® is less than the limit of detection, we would recommend that individuals who have concerns about the use of Beano® speak with their physician.

Any thoughts?

I still have symptoms every once in a while that may or may not be related, but wouldn't it be daily if it were a problem from this since I take this 3 times daily with each meal?

Thanks,
Mike

[tex]

Mike,

It depends on how much "accidental", (IOW, undetected), gluten you are getting on any particular day, from similar trace amounts in other food items, and random, unlisted, tiny amounts caused by cross-contamination.

For all practical purposes,, (in my opinion, at least), there is no such thing as 100% gluten free, as far as processed foods are concerned. They are labeled in terms of passing "threshold tests", according to the prevailing laws. You would have to raise all your own food, and be extremely careful, even then, to maintain 100% GF status.

One would assume, when buying "pure", packaged, "unprocessed" food items, that they would be 100% GF. However, the fact that they are packaged, requires a certain amount of minimum processing, (and, grains can certainly become contaminated in the fields, at harvest, by volunteer wheat plants, or wheat seeds sticking in a combine, during harvesting operations, or in subsequent handling equipment). If they are distributed in bulk, there is an even greater risk of contamination, anywhere down the line, and especially in the store, in open bins.

Technically, that small amount of gluten shouldn't bother you. However, if you're taking a small dose every time you eat a meal, then you are getting a tripple daily dose.

How important to you is the Beano? Gas shouldn't be that big a problem, anyway, unless something is out of order. Eliminating the cause of the gas would be a better course of action than taking a product to supress the gas that results from eating it. Of course, that's easily said, but may not be easy to do.

Tex

[mle_ii]

Mike,

It depends on how much "accidental", (IOW, undetected), gluten you are getting on any particular day, from similar trace amounts in other food items, and random, unlisted, tiny amounts caused by cross-contamination.

For all practical purposes,, (in my opinion, at least), there is no such thing as 100% gluten free, as far as processed foods are concerned. They are labeled in terms of passing "threshold tests", according to the prevailing laws. You would have to raise all your own food, and be extremely careful, even then, to maintain 100% GF status.

One would assume, when buying "pure", packaged, "unprocessed" food items, that they would be 100% GF. However, the fact that they are packaged, requires a certain amount of minimum processing, (and, grains can certainly become contaminated in the fields, at harvest, by volunteer wheat plants, or wheat seeds sticking in a combine, during harvesting operations, or in subsequent handling equipment). If they are distributed in bulk, there is an even greater risk of contamination, anywhere down the line, and especially in the store, in open bins.

Technically, that small amount of gluten shouldn't bother you. However, if you're taking a small dose every time you eat a meal, then you are getting a tripple daily dose.

How important to you is the Beano? Gas shouldn't be that big a problem, anyway, unless something is out of order. Eliminating the cause of the gas would be a better course of action than taking a product to supress the gas that results from eating it. Of course, that's easily said, but may not be easy to do.

Tex

Thanks.

How important? Well, I'm able to eat more veggies with it, as it helps with the gas, cramping and bloating I feel sometimes after eating stuff like brocolli, spinach, etc. But I'm going to stop taking it for a while and see how I feel.

[cludwig]

Hi MIke,

For some reason I have less of a problem digesting veggies when I increase the fat I am eating at that meal....I pour 1-2 T. olive oil over mine and it seems to help with less gas and bloating. Good luck.

Love,
Cristi