How to Find Hidden Wheat in Processed Foods

If you suffer from a wheat allergy or sensitivity, or if you have celiac disease and follow a gluten-free diet, you need to know which products contain wheat and which do not. But with such a wide variety of processed foods available with additives, preservatives and flavorings, you can have a difficult time interpreting ingredients. Here is how to find the wheat products in your food so you can avoid having a reaction.

Instructions

1. Read the ingredients list to find additives and flavorings. Some of the ingredients that may contain wheat and gluten are malt vinegars, modified food starch, hydrolyzed plant protein or vegetable protein, natural and artificial flavors and dextrin.

2. Find the allergen announcement under the ingredients list. It should read, "Contains wheat ingredients." This verifies that you have a product that contains wheat.

3. Call the manufacturer and ask for the list of flavorings in the product, and ask if they process other wheat-containing products on the same equipment. This may be a source of cross-contamination.

4. Look for oats in the ingredients list. Although oats themselves do not contain wheat, many manufacturers process oats with wheat, thereby contaminating the oats. Pure oats are not widely available, but you may find them in your local health food store.

5. Stay away from soy sauce, rice cereal and frozen French fries unless they specifically say they are gluten- or wheat-free on the label. Many contain additives that can cause a reaction in those with a severe wheat allergy.

Tips & Warnings

• You may also find wheat and gluten in cosmetics, lotions and even household cleansers. For especially sensitive individuals, call or write to the manufacturers of these products and ask for a list of ingredients.