Gluten Free Watchdog has received requests to test probiotics due to the recent study by the Celiac Disease Center at Columbia University that was presented at Digestive Disease Week. We can test a few products as part of our regular weekly testing OR we can undertake a more comprehensive study. As of May 27th, 31 different probiotics have been requested for testing by members of the GFWD community… To read the rest of the post, please click HERE.
Gluten Free Watchdog to test probiotics for gluten contamination
I think it is a fine idea to perform more extensive testing of probiotic supplements. I suggest testing all at once with ongoing testing as new products come onto market. Its important that people have confidence in the products they are taking presumably to help their recovery. Also, it is really difficult to get a straight answer from a lot of these suppliers and manufacturers and when you do it often comes down to ‘take our word for it.’ Personally, i simply stopped taking probiotics all together.
I would point out that he researchers used GC/MS in their study. I doubt the sandwich Elisa would yield results of the same sensitivity. Also, we should keep in mind that the levels found were very low for the most part and as the researchers pointed out should not pose a threat unless folks were mega-dosing.
Hi Jim, Thanks for your comments. We will probably do some LC/MS testing as well. Contamination is likely in the form of hydrolyzed gluten. This is why we will be testing the samples with the competitive R5 ELISA. And yes, the amount of product typically “eaten” should be taken into account when assessing risk.