Update 28/1/2015: Annemiek (Glutenvrije Mama) has written a post about what went down. (In Dutch) Short version is, a company called “Guuske’s Glutenvrije Kookworkshops” (Guuske’s gluten-free cooking workshops) is offering pizza making for kids at a food event in Haarlem. With spelt flour. They don’t claim it is gluten-free (they seem to know better than that) but the press around the event is misleading enough that two gluten-free bloggers almost signed up.
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Apparently this post needs to be written. Apparently the very good content already out there on the web is not enough.
Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, and everyone who identifies on a continuum:
Spelt is NOT gluten-free
She knows where it’s at.
I know you’ve probably seen many places offering spelt bread, heard about how it’s the “healthier” choice, yadda yadda.
You may even have heard nutritionists talk about how it’s “lower in gluten” (clue: it still has gluten in it).
You may have heard it recommended for those with “wheat/gluten sensitivity” (clue: it’s an ancient variety of wheat).
You may even have seen businesses using ambiguous terms, misleading people who might be confused into thinking that spelt is a gluten-free alternative.
It’s not. Spelt will cause someone with coeliac disease to have a reaction. If you are claiming something is gluten-free when it contains spelt you are grossly ignorant and should not be providing food or food service to anyone.
Here’s a list of other grains that aren’t gluten-free:
- Wheat
- Kamut
- Triticale
- Farro/Emmer
- Einkorn
- Barley
- Rye
- SPELT
Spelt is not gluten-free
Excellent! VERY glad you posted this, especially since there seems to be a growing level of ignorance about spelt (why!?!?). My Gran tried to get me to order spelt flour for her a couple of weeks ago because she wanted to make me and my dad a cake. Had a bit of a panic right there and then!! Is that why I get ill pretty much every time she bakes me anything? I mean, she’s 86 so there might be other factors there, but it was very nearly a huge mistake. And the fact this company was about to do it to children!?!?? It’s a shame people still have to be told, but I think you’ve told them, good and proper!