DuPont Nutrition & Health, Wilmington, DE, is sending a clear message to the dietary supplement industry that its entire probiotic range is produced from raw materials that do not contain gluten. The announcement follows publication of a new study at Columbia University, which found that, in a test of 22 best-selling probiotic supplements, more than half contained detectable levels of gluten. Eight of these supplements were marketed as “gluten-free.”
 
For people with celiac disease and some wheat allergies, gluten is a cause of severe digestive discomfort. Celiac patients also risk long-term damage to the small intestine.
 
“As a leading global supplier of probiotics, we understand that many consumers with celiac disease rely on probiotic supplements to strengthen their digestive health,” said Scott Bush, global probiotics business leader for DuPont Nutrition & Health.
 
“For this reason, we monitor our suppliers very closely to ensure they meet our demand for non-gluten raw materials, including the fermentation media used in probiotic production.”
 
Allergen management procedures are in place to prevent cross-contamination at DuPont probiotic production facilities that also handle gluten-containing products. These procedures similarly exclude other allergens, such as dairy and soy, from the probiotic range.
 
“We realize that the Columbia University findings are a cause for concern among our customers and consumers. By eliminating gluten-containing raw materials in probiotic production, DuPont wishes to allay these concerns,” Mr. Bush said.
 
DuPont Danisco offers two ranges of proven probiotic cultures, HOWARU Premium Probiotics and FloraFIT Probiotics for finished formats and unique, customized formulations. The company’s probiotic strains have been scientifically tested and found to support digestive health, as well as the immune and cardiovascular systems.