Coeliac UK has removed a range of breakfast cereal products which contain malt flavouring derived from barley (malted cornflake products) from its Food & Drink Directory which lists gluten-free food products that are suitable for people with coeliac disease.

We have done so because we have recently received data from Kellogg's which show that their malted cornflake products contain more gluten than previously assessed. The new data has been derived from a newer and more sensitive test (the Mendez Method). For the time being we are removing all malted cornflake products listed in the Food & Drink Directory until we can confirm that levels of gluten are acceptable.

Some rice-based cereals also contain malt flavouring. Kellogg's have tested their rice-based cereals, using the Mendez Method, and they are shown to be within the accepted level of gluten. However as a precaution, we are removing other rice-based cereals using malt flavouring or extract until we confirm that their levels of gluten are acceptable as well.

The products removed from the directory are :

• Kellogg's Corn Flakes, Corn Flakes Banana Crunch, Crunchy Nut Corn Flakes, Crunchy Nut Red, Crunchy Nut Nutty, Frosties, Frosties Reduced Sugar, Frosties Cereal and Milk Bar, Choco Frosties, Cereal and Milk Bar
• Asda Choco Flakes, Choco Snaps, Cornflakes, Crispy Nut Corn Flakes, Frosted Corn Flakes, Frosted Flakes, Organic Corn Flakes, Rice Snaps, Variety Pack
• Co-op Choco Snaps, Crisp Rice, Frosted Flakes, Golden Nut Corn Flakes
• Sainsbury's Cornflakes, Frosted Flakes Breakfast Cereal, Honey Nut Corn Flakes
• Somerfield Basics Corn Flakes, Choco Flakes, Choco Rice, Choco Teddies, Corn Flakes, Crisp Rice, Honey Nut Corn Flakes
• Waitrose Corn Flakes, Frosted Flakes, Honey Nut Corn Flakes, Crisp Puffed Rice

Why have we taken this action?

Malted breakfast cereals have appeared in our Food and Drink Directory for a number of years and since 2004 we have flagged up those known to contain barley derived ingredients like malt flavouring. Previous test results from Kellogg's showed that all their malted breakfast cereals contained low levels of gluten, but well within the accepted threshold of 200 parts per million which is the international Codex Standard. Now, a newer, more sensitive and accurate test indicates a higher level of gluten than previously identified. The new method is called the R5 ELISA assay and has been developed by Prof Enrique Mendez.

What alternatives are there?

We have left Kellogg's Rice Krispies, Ricicles and Coco Pops in the Directory as tests using the Mendez Method show that they are well within the Codex Standard. A number of other brands which do not contain malt flavouring are also listed. These include: Alara, Barkat, Big Oz, Doves Farm, Eat Natural, Ener-G, Glutano, Granny Ann, Heron, Infinity, Kallo, Nature's Path, Orgran, Spoff , Suma, Health Store, Vogels and Whole Earth. There are also some brands for which we do not have any information, so you should check the ingredients' label and if in any doubt, contact the manufacturer.

What does this mean for people on a gluten-free diet?

When products are removed from the Directory it is because they no longer conform to the required Codex Standard and are therefore not considered suitable for a gluten-free diet. However, our independent, expert, health advisers who are leading NHS consultant gastroenterologists tell us there is very little chance of lasting health problems for people with coeliac disease who have eaten these products.

Calcium is an important element of breakfast and you should ensure that you continue to keep up the levels in your diet. Oily fish, low fat cheese, yogurt, milk and milkshakes are all good sources of calcium.