l

UPDATED 5/9/07 Can oats be part of the gluten free diet? Celiacs have been researching this topic for twenty years and reached no firm conclusions. Are oats safe in the best of situations? Is it possible to find oats that are not contaminated by contact with gluten-toxic grains? The Celiac Sprue Association recommends that "…excluding oats is the only risk free choice…" The Gluten Intolerance Group that you "…work closely with your health team before deciding to introduce oats into your diet,…". The Canadian Celiac Association states that the celiac who wishes to add oats to their diet "…must ensure that the oats they are eating are free from gluten contamination."They do not specify how to accomplish this. Click on the names of the organizations to read their comments in full.

Two American firms sell "certified" oats on-line. Gifts of Nature.Com states that their product contains less than 10 parts per million gluten. Gluten Free Oats.Com makes the same claim. I was unable to identify any companies that sell cookies or other items made with "certified" oats.