Gluten-free diets have become increasingly popular in recent years, with more people avoiding gluten for medical reasons or simply as a lifestyle choice. For those following a gluten-free diet, it’s important to know which foods are naturally gluten-free and which foods have been processed to remove gluten. One common food that often comes into question is oats and oatmeal. While regular oats contain gluten, there are gluten-free oat options available. This article will specifically explore whether Trader Joe’s rolled oats are gluten-free.
What is Gluten?
Gluten is a group of proteins found in grains like wheat, barley, and rye. For most people, gluten doesn’t cause any issues and can be eaten without problems. However, for those with celiac disease or non-celiac gluten sensitivity, gluten triggers an autoimmune response that damages the small intestine. This can cause symptoms like abdominal pain, bloating, diarrhea, fatigue, and more. The only treatment for celiac disease is strictly following a 100% gluten-free diet.
While celiac disease affects about 1% of the population, non-celiac gluten sensitivity may impact 6-7% of people. Additionally, some follow a gluten-free diet because they feel better without gluten, even if they don’t have celiac disease or non-celiac gluten sensitivity diagnosed. Whatever the reason, the gluten-free food market has expanded tremendously over the past decade to meet growing consumer demand.
Are Oats Naturally Gluten-Free?
Oats are inherently gluten-free grains. However, cross-contamination is common during growing and processing. Since oats are often grown alongside gluten-containing grains like wheat and barley, they can become contaminated in the field. Cross-contamination can also occur during transport, milling, and processing. So even though oats themselves don’t naturally contain gluten, they frequently come into contact with gluten sources.
This poses a problem for people following gluten-free diets, as even small amounts of gluten from cross-contamination can cause issues if someone is sensitive. The FDA rules allow products labeled “gluten-free” to contain up to 20 parts per million of gluten. However, some experts believe people with celiac disease should consume less than 10 or 5 ppm. This amount of gluten can still cause damage and trigger symptoms.
So in their natural, unprocessed form, oats don’t contain gluten. But preventing cross-contamination requires using dedicated equipment and facilities to produce pure, uncontaminated oats.
Gluten-Free Oat Standards in the U.S.
In order for oats to be labeled gluten-free in the United States, they must meet certain standards:
– The oats must be grown in fields that haven’t been contaminated by wheat, barley, rye or their derivatives for the previous 3 years.
– The oats can’t be grown in rotation with gluten-containing grains.
– The oats must be harvested, transported, milled, and processed in facilities that are completely gluten-free. Dedicated equipment must be used.
– Testing must show gluten levels are below 20 ppm. Package labeling must indicate “gluten-free” or “certified gluten-free.”
Companies producing gluten-free oats must implement strict protocols throughout the entire supply chain. Field selection, planting procedures, harvesting methods, storage containers, processing equipment and facilities, packaging supplies, and transportation vehicles must all be controlled to avoid any cross-contamination. Regular thorough cleaning and testing ensure gluten levels remain very low.
Following these stringent gluten-free standards allows oats to be safely consumed by those sensitive to gluten. But any lapse along the way can introduce gluten into the final products.
Are Trader Joe’s Rolled Oats Specifically Labeled Gluten-Free?
When you look at the label on Trader Joe’s rolled oats, there is no gluten-free designation. The ingredients simply list “whole grain rolled oats” with no indication that they are gluten-free. Trader Joe’s does carry some gluten-free oats, but they are clearly labeled “gluten-free old fashioned rolled oats.” Since their conventional rolled oats lack the gluten-free label, one can assume they are likely processed on shared equipment alongside gluten-containing grains. Without rigorous procedures to avoid cross-contamination, gluten could sneak into the oats during growing or processing.
Trader Joe’s Statement on Gluten-Free Products
On their website, Trader Joe’s provides this statement regarding their gluten-free products:
“At Trader Joe’s we work hard to ensure that the ingredient lists we provide on our labels are accurate, to enable our customers to make informed purchasing decisions. We do not make gluten-free claims on our products unless the items are certified to be gluten-free. Products certified to be gluten-free are labeled ‘Gluten-Free’ on our product packaging.”
This indicates Trader Joe’s does not consider their conventional rolled oats to be gluten-free, since they are not labeled as such. Only products that are certified gluten-free through audited testing carry the gluten-free label. All other products could potentially contain traces of gluten from cross-contamination that would make them unsafe for anyone with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity.
Testing Results on Gluten Levels in Trader Joe’s Rolled Oats
While Trader Joe’s does not designate their conventional rolled oats as gluten-free, independent testing has been performed by gluten-free watchdog groups to determine if gluten is present. In testing sponsored by Gluten Free Watchdog in 2016, two samples of Trader Joe’s rolled oats were tested. Gluten levels came back at <5 ppm, which falls below the FDA standard for gluten-free labeling. However, the oats were not labeled gluten-free, indicating Trader Joe's opted not to make a gluten-free claim despite the results. The testing also showed evidence of barley and rye, demonstrating potential cross-contamination even though gluten levels were very low. So while these independent test results suggest Trader Joe's rolled oats may be below the limit to qualify as gluten-free, Trader Joe's has not made any certification or claim that they are safe for gluten-free diets. Since the company can't guarantee these results across all batches and production runs, they have chosen not to label their conventional oats as gluten-free.
Precautions for People with Celiac Disease
For people with celiac disease looking to include oats in their gluten-free diet, it’s important to choose oats carrying the gluten-free label to ensure safety. Since celiac disease requires adhering to a strict 100% gluten-free diet, consuming unlabeled or potentially cross-contaminated oats comes with considerable risk. Even tiny amounts of gluten can provoke the immune system and small intestine damage characteristic of celiac disease. Experts typically advise people with celiac disease to avoid oats altogether unless they are specifically labeled gluten-free.
FDA Recall of Gluten-Free Oats
In 2019, the FDA issued a recall for certain lots of gluten-free oats produced by Purity Protocol. This was due to gluten contamination discovered through FDA sampling. All the recalled products were labeled gluten-free but found to contain high levels of gluten through testing. This underscores the potential for gluten cross-contamination even among oats labeled gluten-free. For people with celiac disease, it provides a note of caution about trusting any products not tested individually to verify purity. Consuming companies’ statements may not be sufficient to protect highly sensitive individuals if contamination occurs.
Risk Tolerance Varies Among Gluten-Free Consumers
It’s important to recognize that tolerance for gluten cross-contamination varies depending on the individual. People with celiac disease require the highest level of purity in order to prevent intestinal damage. But those avoiding gluten for other reasons may be able to tolerate small amounts without experiencing adverse effects. Some who follow a gluten-free diet by choice have less restrictive standards than those medically required to be 100% gluten-free.
Factors like symptoms, sensitivities, age, health status, and degree of intestinal damage influence individual risk tolerance. People with celiac disease and gluten ataxia (neurological damage caused by gluten) require the most stringent avoidance. Others may occasionally indulge in overt gluten without experiencing major consequences. So assessments of “safe” gluten levels are highly individual. There aren’t universal standards that apply equally to everyone choosing gluten-free foods. Consumers should evaluate their own health factors, not just regulations and labeling, to determine appropriate risk levels.
Other Considerations for Eating Trader Joe’s Oats
Aside from the potential for gluten cross-contamination, a few other factors are worth considering regarding eating Trader Joe’s rolled oats:
Purity and Processing
Trader Joe’s doesn’t provide detailed information about their growing, harvesting, and milling practices. Without strict protocols to control purity, the risk of contamination increases. The lack of information raises uncertainty around how the oats are handled.
Lack of Third-Party Certification
There is no independent gluten-free certification from recognized organizations like GFCO (Gluten Free Certification Organization) that audit and verify gluten-free claims. Trader Joe’s depends solely on internal testing.
No Testing Results Available
Unlike some brands that provide actual ppm test results for each batch, Trader Joe’s offers no batch-specific gluten testing data. They simply state products aren’t gluten-free if not labeled as such.
Possibility of Oat Protein Cross-Reactivity
A small percentage of people with celiac disease (around 5%) may react to oat protein avenins. These individuals should avoid all oats, even if gluten-free. For them, oat consumption should only be reintroduced under medical supervision.
So while the lack of a gluten-free label raises concerns about potential contamination in Trader Joe’s oats, individuals have to weigh the various considerations in deciding if they feel comfortable consuming them.
Recommendation for People with Celiac Disease and Gluten Sensitivity
For people requiring a strict 100% gluten-free diet, the lack of certification and absence of a gluten-free claim on Trader Joe’s conventional rolled oats would warrant avoiding them. Since celiac disease requires adherence to a completely gluten-free diet without exception, there is too much uncertainty around the risk of cross-contamination. Without rigorous, verified steps to maintain purity, Trader Joe’s oats would be considered unsafe for those highly sensitive. The consequences of exposure are too severe for people with celiac disease to accept unlabeled oats that could contain traces of gluten.
Instead, those with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity should look for rolled oats carrying the gluten-free label and certification seal from reputable third-party auditors like the GFCO, ensuring adherence to gluten-free requirements. Brands that provide actual ppm testing results for every batch offer further verification. Buying certified gluten-free oats reduces the risk of trace contamination while providing peace of mind.
Conclusion
Trader Joe’s rolled oats are not labeled gluten-free or claimed to be appropriate for gluten-free diets. Without rigorous handling protocols in place, cross-contamination with gluten sources is likely during growing and/or processing. Independent testing found very low gluten levels under 5 ppm, but Trader Joe’s declined to designate them gluten-free. For people with celiac disease and gluten sensitivity requiring strict diet adherence, the lack of certification and potential for contamination make Trader Joe’s rolled oats an unacceptable choice. Consumers who need to avoid all gluten exposure should only choose oats that carry the gluten-free label and ideally have third-party certification for purity. While some people may have no issues consuming Trader Joe’s oats, for those who are highly gluten-sensitive, the uncertainty and risks are too great.
