These cereals are found in the normal cereal section of UK supermarkets and although include ‘Barley Malt Extract’ in their ingredients, they contain a low enough level of gluten that they keep within the Codex standard. Barley is still listed in the ingredients but they are suitable for people following a gluten free diet. This information comes from Coeliac UK and it is their opinion that if you travel to the UK and require your cereal to be gluten free then you can eat these varieties -
ASDA: Choco Snaps, Cornflakes, Frosted Flakes, Honey Nut Corn Flakes and Rice Snaps.
SAINSBURYS: Choco Snaps, Cornflakes, Frosted Flakes, Honey Nut Corn Flakes and Rice Pops.
SOMERFIELD: Choco Rice, Cornflakes, Crisp Rice, Frosted Flakes and Honeynut Cornflakes
TESCO: Choco Snaps, Cornflakes, Honey Nut Corn Flakes
Tesco Rice Pops also claim to be safe but their rice cereal is called Rice Snaps so I have to look into this further.
I have recently discovered this information and have since gone back to eating a few of these ‘normal’ cereals much to the joy of my tastebuds and my wallet. Things are going well so far and I haven’t felt glutenated but I will keep you updated in case things change. It feels a little disconcerting to be eating something I know contains ingredients I didn’t think I could ever have again even if it is my favourite food ever! If you have any experience positive or negative with eating these cereals then please share your thoughts…..
UPDATE: April 2012. Whilst these cereals continue to include barley malt extract as an ingredient (I’m not sure why they can’t get rid of it!) they are still considered safe for Coeliacs under the new labelling legislation passed at the beginning of 2012. If you’re in the UK and looking for safe products, including cereals, your best bet is to check out the Coeliac UK Food and Drink Directory for the most up-to-date information and listings of safe, gluten free products.
Happy gluten free cereal eating!
laura
Oct 19th, 2009I have been reading other blog sites run by Coeliacs and there seems to be a lot of confusion over whether or not even low levels of Barley Malt Extract are safe for all Coeliacs. As it has only been a couple of months since I was diagnosed and considering I tend to eat pretty huge bowls, I plan to stick to completely gluten free cereals at least until my next hospital appointment and blood tests to ensure I am completely free of gluten when this happens. My dietician suggested that I try to bring oats into my diet after this time to see how I feel so I will probably try ‘normal’ cereals again at this time.
ThatPandaGirl
May 6th, 2012I am a 9 year diagnosed coeliac, and I cannot tolerate any of these cereals without feeling “glutened”. It is my opinion that wherever possible we shouldn’t be playing “just how much can I get away with”instead we should be sticking to things with no gluten containing ingredients.
People (including Coeliac UK) seem to treat this like a challenge. How Much Gluten Can We Feed Them Before They Get Sick. A ridiculous and dangerous attitude if you ask me!