Do oats have gluten?

[Peek-a-boo]

I'm really confused about this. Is there "oat gluten"? Or do they just pick up wheat gluten from being processed on the same equipment?

[Mindful Mom]

I think that oats are naturally gluten-free, but get cross-contaminated during harvesting or processing. I have found some gluten-free oats at our health-food store...

[MsElle07]

Oats grown in the US are not gluten free, because of cross-contimantion in the growing field with wheat. Irish Oats are usually considered gluten free.

[tanyalynn]

You can find GF oats, I'd want them labelled as such because of the contamination that seems to happen at multiple steps. That said, the protein in oats is similar to gluten, and some people react to that as well--we haven't ever tried them for this reason. But there's a good market for GF oats, so they must work for a lot of people.

[jocelyndale]

Most oats pick up contamination from wheat and other grains from the field through the mill.

That said, oats contain a protein called avenin. It's similar to the gliadin protein in wheat and the hordein and secalin proteins found in barley and rye--these are the gluten proteins. Some folks with celiac disease react to avenin, some do not. If you are going GF, you need to cut out oats for the first several months to a year before trying a certified GF oats trial.

I still react to oats/avenin.

[Peek-a-boo]

Originally Posted by jocelyndale

That said, oats contain a protein called avenin. It's similar to the gliadin protein in wheat and the hordein and secalin proteins found in barley and rye--these are the gluten proteins. Some folks with celiac disease react to avenin, some do not. If you are going GF, you need to cut out oats for the first several months to a year before trying a certified GF oats trial.

Thank you! This explanation is very helpful.

[Eben'sMama]

Bob's Red Mill sells GF oats and there's also this place.