Gluten detection methods

Available scientific data evaluating the introduction of pure oats in the gluten-free diet of patients with celiac disease and dermatitis herpetiformis indicates that moderate amounts of pure oats are well tolerated by the majority of these individuals who are either in remission or newly diagnosed. The term "pure oats" is used to indicate oats uncontaminated with gluten from other cereal grains, like wheat, barley, and rye, as detected by current test methods. Based on pivotal clinical trials in the published literature, the amount of pure oats considered within safe limits is 50-70 g/day for adults and 20-25 g/day for children. 

TABLE 9.1 Published DNA-Based Methods for Detection of Food Allergens and Gluten-Containing Cereals Requiring Labeling... 

Consequently, the method of choice by a given laboratory will depend on individual preferences and their particular specifications. In most cases analysts choose the method that shows reproducible results at the detection limits requested in their own lab and/or those at which they have been validated successfully by official bodies. The current market offers different ELISA kits for the detection of gliadin, which use different antibodies. It is not easy to decide which test kit is the most accurate. In commercial test kits it is important that the specificity and other characteristics of the antibody are reported by manufacturers. One criterion is whether the antibody detects all of the relevant toxic gluten proteins from different cereal species causing celiac disease. 

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