Gluten Checker Tool Helps Celiacs Check Foods Released by: Lani K. Thompson Web Site: http://www.clanthompson.com Clan Thompson has released its newest tool to help celiacs find gluten free foods. Email: lani@clanthompson.com Keywords: gluten, gluten-free, celiac disease, celiac, gluten free foods Update Date: 5/10/2006 11:55:11 AM Hits: 486 Descrption:  Clan Thompson, publishers of the celiac SmartList software programs, have released their newest tool to help celiacs find gluten-free foods. When celiacs eat gluten, the protein found in wheat, rye, barley and triticale, the protein sets off an immune response that causes damage to the small intestine. Approximately 1 in 133 Americans are believed to be affected by this auto-immune disorder, according to some estimates. Shopping for safe foods can be difficult, especially for newly diagnosed patients, because gluten often "hides" in other ingredients. Celiacs may not realize that malt is usually derived from barley, soy sauce often contains wheat, and isomalt is gluten free - in spite of its name. Gluten Checker makes it easy to check for suspect ingredients. Users search an online database of over 87,000 food products by entering a UPC code, the product name, or a description like "spaghetti sauce". They can then view items for detailed information. Gluten Checker does not tell users which products are gluten free. That information can only come from the manufacturer. Instead, one of several messages appears. Suspect ingredients are flagged, and the user can click on an ingredient for more information such as "Caramel Color: Can be made from barley malt - starch hydrolysates - lactose or other ing. US manufacturers don't usually use gluten containing ing. in caramel color." With this information, the user can make an informed decision about whether a product can be safely consumed, or whether a follow-up call to the manufacturer is necessary. For more information, visit Clan Thompson online at www.clanthompson.com