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Ask Wholefood expert Janet Steer for advice

We'd all like to eat healthier, but how do we work all that shopping and preparation into our busy lives? Janet has a background in macrobiotics, a healthy belief in all things organic and a practical take on how, step by step, we improve our diets.

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Question:
TOMATO PASTE
Hi Does tomato paste contain gluten and also do you know of chewing gum that is gluten-free? Also biltong and droëwors
- entronet
Answer:
Janet Steer says:
If eating gluten causes you serious health problems, I recommend that you always study the ingredient information on any product that you purchase.

Remember that gluten may be a hidden ingredient e.g. the label says "anti-caking agent" but does not list the wheat flour that this agent may contain. Also, remember that ingredients of ingredients are often not broken down. Once again, you may eat gluten unknowingly. If you have any doubt, contact the manufacturer.

Product ingredients also change, so refer back to labels from time to time. When buying tomato paste, look for a brand that contains only 100% tomatoes. In this way, you are guaranteed that it is gluten free. Ascertaining whether chewing gum is gluten free is more difficult. Flour can be an ingredient, and sometimes the chewing gum is dusted with flour to avoid sticking. This may not be disclosed. Once again, I suggest that you contact the manufacturer to be sure. I know that certain brands of Wrigley's chewing gum do not contain gluten, but you would need to contact the company for more specific information.

Droëwors often lies on shop counters with no ingredient labelling. I would avoid buying droëwors in this way, unless the manufacturer is close by and can give you a gluten free guarantee. Biltong should not contain gluten, but once again, check the ingredient labelling.


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