Qualitative risk assessment from gluten in dairy products for population with celiac disease

Abstract

People with celiac disease represent susceptible population that can be cured only by "gluten-free" diet, while dairy products have been recognized as exceptionally recommended. Therefore, it is very important for dairy products not to contain gluten in concentrations that could be harmful for them. The aim of this research was to investigate risk exposure to gluten from dairy products for the population with celiac disease in the Republic of Croatia by usage of referent analytical methods and scientifically based methods of risk assessment. Total number of 19 subgroups of standard dairy products (n=40) and four subgroups of "gluten-free" dairy products (n=53) labelled with crossed cereal or quotation "gluten-free" and without quantity of gluten labelled were analysed by ELISA-R5 method. Adult population with celiac disease (n=57) was interweaved on eating habits, while intake of dairy products for infants and children was calculated based on recommended intakes and menus. The results have shown that number of standard dairy products that according to their nature should not contain gluten, as well as "gluten-free" dairy products contain certain amount of gluten that can be estimated in certain unfavourable scenarios and in susceptible subpopulations as risky to sick individuals. Dairy products represent very low risk to adult population with celiac disease and can be consumed in quantities that do not differ from the recommended quantities for healthy population. On the other side, dairy products for infants in the age from 6 to 12 months represent increased risk for infants with celiac disease and require implementation of risk management activities in order to reduce risk. Dairy products for infants and children from 1 to 6 years represent moderate risk depending on eating habits. The obtained results point out neediness of risk management methods implementation through information and education of population with celiac disease, as well as producers of dairy products.