Allergy - corn free

From ThePatientsWiki

[edit] Finding Corn Free Products When You Have a Corn Allergy

It is very frustrating for the majority of corn allergic individuals to find products that are safe. Because corn is in so many different products - and the basis of so many products used in production - many companies do not even know that they have corn in their product.

To make matters worse, the Codex Alimentus [1] which is the basis for the labeling laws in many countries does not consider derivatives or packaging information necessary to label. This means that the packaging company that provides a given products packaging does not need to tell the company they are providing for what materials are in the packaging. Some instances of this include:

• Dusting cornstarch on paper plates so they don't stick together.
• Injecting pork with a dextrose solution to ensure its juiciness.
• Using a citric acid wash to preserve meats and fish.

Did you notice that only one of the three examples had the word "corn" in it? This exarcebates the identification problem. Most people will recognize corn syrup, high fructose corn syrup (HFCS), cornstarch, and corn. But, what happens when the label says things like dextrose (always corn), xanthan gum, citric acid, methylcellulose, vegetable oil, or invert syrup among many others? All of these items can be derived from corn - and many in the U.S. market are only derived from corn due to it being very cheap.

[edit] What can you do to find out whether or not there is corn in a given product?

First, learn all the names of corn. (Other Names for Corn). Be prepared for several phone calls to the manufacturer to determine whether any of these items are in the product. Don't trust the first answer you get. When you ask if there is any corn and it is not obvious, they will normally tell you that their product is corn free, or, the dreaded:

"It is not in the Top 8 allergens." (Top 8 Allergens)

or

"'Enter Name for Corn' is so processed that none of the proteins are left to react to."

Ok, that is just the obvious conversation.

The next step is to start going through whether their citric acid, xanthan gum, etc. is corn-derived. You are likely to hear that the supplier does not give them that information as it is a trade secret. Ask for the name of the supplier. This probably won't work, but it is worth a try. If they are willing to contact the supplier for the information, thank them but don't expect much help. Most suppliers will not share the information with their customers let alone a consumer with an allergy. If you can't get the information assume the product is NOT corn-free.

If you find someone especially helpful, write them a thank-you whether or not the product turns out to be corn-free. This will help the next person who has to contact the company.

Even after you get confirmation from a company that a product is corn-free, it is still risky. There are cross-contamination concerns, packaging concerns, even what they wash their equipment with concerns. Labs testing for corn presence in products cannot test very accurately, only down to 50 parts per million where peanuts can be tested down to 1 part per million.

Many of us have adopted the following motto/policy: If it can be made from corn, it is. The only reliable proof of corn-free is human testing.

Companies are often misinformed and well-meaning customer service reps will tell you the "company line" on products such as natural flavors, vanilla, corn alcohols, pectin, xanthan gum, or other questionable ingredient. Sometimes they just don't know that its made from corn, contains corn, or is grown on corn.. and they'll tell you its corn-free since thats what the "company line" on it is. If a company confirms a product to have corn, it does. If a company states a product is corn-free, there is still a 50-50 chance that its not, unless that company has a proven track record of being reliable for corn-free status.

So be careful, and compare notes with other corn allergic/intolerant people. You might not be the only one that doesn't feel so good after eating a "company confirmed" corn-free product.

Many corn allergic individuals are working to increase awareness. There seems to be an alarming increase in the incidence of corn allergy just as labeling laws are becoming more lax. Please push for better labeling laws - someone's life may depend on it.

[edit] Other Useful Articles

The Corn-Free List Avoiding Corn Forum [2]