Rice Dream & Trader Joe's Rice Milk, Are They Gluten-Free or Not?

Rice Dream

Rice Dream will claim their milk is gluten free however it states this on their website:
http://www.tastethedream.com/info/qa_ricedream.php#faqid474

From 1st Quarter of 2008 to Now

*Is Rice Dream Beverage a gluten free product?*

"Yes. Although Rice Dream Beverage is processed using a barley enzyme, the barley enzyme is discarded after use. The final beverage might contain a minute residual amount (less than .002%) of barley protein."

In my opinion (and other people online), a barley enzyme is used and it can't be gluten free if it is used. (Gluten free to me is .000% not .002% like the U.S. states as safe. One of these days the U.S. will change this but that might not be for awhile.) At one time Taste the Dream had on their website that it contained rice enzymes and then they changed it to barley enzymes. Also, they had gluten free on their containers and then they took that off and it's now not on there. This is all wishy washy, changing from being gluten-free on their labels and then not gluten-free in early 2008 and then again a few months later to be gluten-free but containing barley enzymes (on their website). I don't trust them (even with the new labeling law).

Here are some links to show I'm not the only one saying they are not gluten free.
Rice Dream Rice Drink (It states it contains gluten from barley protein at less than .002%.)

http://www.celiac.com/gluten-free/lofiversion/index.php/t18970.html
http://austinsgfcfjournal.blogspot.com/2007/10/rice-dream-is-gluten-free.html
http://looksgoodinpolkadots.wordpress.com/2008/06/13/rice-dream-and-gluten/

http://surefoodsliving.com/2007/08/25/rice-dream-says-its-now-gluten-free/

A reader wrote a letter to Rice Dream and said that I could post it on the site. Here it is:

"I used to use Rice Dream for my kids’ cereal - for the last 20+ years, but had to quit using the product when I discovered my own gluten intolerance. Recently, your labels changed to reflect “gluten free.” I tried it again. Suddenly my old symptom (a rash all over my back) was back. And then I discovered on line, that no recipe had been changed.

Gluten intolerance is serious. A teensy tiny bit will make some of us truly suffer. Printing gluten free on a product that has even a smidge of barley can be toxic for someone like me.

Please rethink this. It seems to me you could turn out a fine product by changing ONE ingredient and truly protecting those special shoppers who NEED to purchase gluten-free (not gluten reduced) products."

There are more sites at
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=is+rice+dream+gluten+free&btnG=Google+Search&aq=0&oq=is+rice+dream+

Trader Joe's Rice Beverage
(2008 and most likely it is still the same company making their milk)

On July 22, 2008 my family went to Trader Joe's and saw that their Rice Beverage stated to be gluten-free. We bought one container and used it. I had the below reaction and I looked on some Rice Dream Beverage containers we have and the ingredients and labeling were the same as Trader Joe's. (No wonder I reacted, it contains a barley enzyme.)

Here is my diary:

Ate ¾ cup with my quinoa flakes & flax cereal.

July 24, 2008 Noticed a papule mark on right ring finger. (This only happens when I eat or touch any type of gluten.) I saw two raised bumps on the top of my right hand. I then saw marks on side of right foot, and over seven marks on right side of leg. I noticed two marks on left side of my leg.

July 25, 2008 Noticed 8 or 9 marks on left side, on right side, at least 7 new marks on the top part and right side of my right side leg, and about 9 of my left side of my right leg.

I have not broken out in a skin rash (this is bad) since eating gluten or being cross-contaminated by mistake. My body continued to break out in a rash from July 24 until the milk was out of my body. In my observation, (and knowing my skin and body), I only break out if I eat or touch any gluten. Trader Joe's milk is NOT gluten free.

I emailed Trader Joe's and told them of my reaction to their Rice Beverage.
"I cannot disclose who our supplier of our Trader Joe's Rice Milk is due to our strict disclosure policy we follow. I can assure you that our Rice Milk is gluten free."

Here is exactly what I sent Trader Joe's:

"I'm sorry to say, even though you CLAIM your rice beverage product is gluten-free, it is NOT. I broke out in rashes I have not broken out in since going gluten-free (hands, back, face, and legs). If it does indeed contain a barley enzyme (which I know it has does) in the beginning process of making the milk, I reacted to it. Many more people online react to your milk and Rice Dream like I did. I thought your company would be more aware of the dangers of gluten (and celiac disease) and not sell products that are made with any product that ever contained gluten. I will never buy your rice milk (unless you change your supplier and can really prove it's gluten-free with no gluten ever used in the milk make process). Even though you can't disclose your supplier, Rice Dream says on their site: " Is Rice Dream Beverage a gluten free product? Yes. Although Rice Dream Beverage is processed using a barley enzyme, the barley enzyme is discarded after use. The final beverage might contain a minute residual amount (less than .002%) of barley protein." They state they use it and then throw it out. It's still in it no matter what. So many people don't trust Rice Dream beverage and they do indeed react like I have reacted. (If it isn't Rice Dream, I would like to know which other company I shouldn't buy milk from.) I happened to stop before it made my small intestines damaged again. My skin is finally clearing up. I stop breaking out once your rice milk was out of my system. Please do consider what I have said and don't trust what they claim it to be (gluten-free) because it is not. I thought I trusted your company but I'm going to be very cautious when I buy any of your products. I do hope you send this to someone higher up than your job position so they know more how people are reacting to your rice milk."

I have not received an answer back and they still claim their rice beverage is still gluten-free on their website. (Sorry to say but it's not.)

In conclusion, I hope this helps you understand why Rice Dream and Trader Joe's Beverage are NOT really gluten-free. If you do use it, please be careful and watch out for reactions via intestines, skin, etc. Rice Dream ice cream is fine (it's not as good since they took a lot of their sugar out of their ice cream).