Talking Allergies

From a member of my local support group:

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Karen, here’s some information for any of the OASG members who are or have children with celiac disease. I started this research because our child (anaphylactic to peanuts) has had first communion and was starting to express some concerns about the ingredients in a communion wafer. We were reassured that there were no peanuts used in the process. We have inquired about the flip-side of the coin, the “may have come into contact with…”. We are waiting for an answer.

But, it’s nice to know that some recognized organization has stepped up and said “We’ll do something about this.” They have succeeded in reducing the gluten content to 0.01% (10 ppms) in these particular wafers, and it is apparently safe for those with celiac disease. The Vatican has approved them.

http://benedictinesisters.org/english/s ... low_gluten

I think you can order them via the web site.

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Maybe those with celiac disease can tell me if these would be acceptable to you or not... I realize that people have varying degrees of sensitivity.

K.

I'm not sure what levels are safe. I think the FDA (the US Food and Drug Administration) is passing a law indicating a specific definition of gluten-free. It is near impossible to have 0 parts per million gluten (and gluten-free products aren't generally literally gluten free) so they've come up with a specific standard that is considered safe. I'm not sure what that standard is, though!

It is definitely a step in the right direction if communion wafers can be found to be gluten-free by the FDA's definition!