Content about Wheat

If fat, sodium and partially hydrogenated oils were yesterday's undesirable ingredients, the substance many Americans are currently looking to avoid is gluten. A recent NPD survey found that about a third of U.S. adults say they want to cut down or be free of gluten in their diets. More people are being diagnosed with Celiac disease, but even consumers who have no gluten intolerance are opting to eat foods that are free of gluten because they perceive them as healthier.

EAST HANOVER, N.J. — Triscuit announced this week a new line of crackers that adds brown rice to its traditional wheat cracker.

New Brown Rice Triscuit crackers are made with 100% whole grain brown rice and wheat, and pieces of sweet potato and red beans mixed in. Brown Rice Triscuit crackers contain 21 g of whole grain per 29 g serving. The new line of crackers does not contain high fructose corn syrup, hydrogenated oil, cholesterol or artificial flavors.

Brown Rice Triscuit crackers are available in five flavors:

CHICAGO — The percentage of adults in the United States who say they want to reduce or eliminate gluten from their diets reached a new high this January, according to a new study.

The NPD Group, a market research firm, has tracked efforts by Americans to reduce gluten intake since 2009, finding that 30% of adults claimed to cut down on gluten or avoid it entirely in January.

DES PERES, Mo. — A Schnuck Markets store in Missouri will sponsor a special sampling of gluten-free foods to mark a day of recognition for people who can't eat gluten, a protein found in wheat, rye and barley.

CHICAGO — New research from Mintel suggested that the number of consumers that are gluten-intolerant/sensitive or have been diagnosed with celiac disease should be much greater.

SILVER SPRING, Md. — The Food and Drug Administration is looking for comments from consumers, the food industry and others about proposed labeling for gluten-free foods.

Originally proposed in 2007, the proposals include a requirement that foods labeled as "gluten-free" can't contain 20 parts per million or more gluten, a protein that occurs in wheat, rye and barley. The proposal was based on technologies used to detect gluten in food, which can't detect it reliably if the level is less than 20 ppm.

BATTLE CREEK, Mich. — Consumers with celiac disease and gluten sensitivity now can add a popular cereal brand to their diet.

Kellogg's said that its Rice Krispies brand will tout a gluten-free version, which will hit store shelves in June, carrying the same suggested retail price as original Rice Krispies. Each serving of the new gluten-free cereal contains 120 calories, less than 1 g of sugar, 1 g each of fat and fiber, 3 g of protein and 190 mg of sodium.

The introduction marks Kellogg's first-ever gluten-free cereal.

BOCA RATON, Fla. Weight-management products company Smart for Life has developed a diet cookie for those with gluten sensitivity.

The gluten-free banana chocolate chip granola square has no preservatives and is made with many organic ingredients and a balanced protein formula with healthy fats and carbohydrate ratios. As with all Smart for Life products, this gluten-free line also effectively suppresses the appetite, the company said.