Whole Foods pulls 'gluten-free' products from shelves after Tribune story

Responding to a Chicago Tribune investigation and mounting consumer pressure, Whole Foods Markets said Tuesday it has pulled three popular "gluten-free" products because the items actually contain the substance.

The grocery chain also said it will devise a strict definition of "gluten-free" for products sold in its stores and begin monitoring the items so such problems don't recur.

The Tribune reported last month that its testing showed three Wellshire Kids brand "gluten-free" products sold exclusively at Whole Foods—Dinosaur Shapes Chicken Bites, Chicken Corn Dogs and Beef Corn Dogs—contained between 116 and 2,200 parts per million of gluten.

While the federal legal definition of "gluten-free" is imprecise, most experts view "gluten-free" as containing less than 20 ppm.

Bonnie - while we have never recommended those three products, we have taken notice to be even more aware of mislabeling to protect our gluten-free community. Due to cross-contamination of oat products during processing or shipping, I do not recommend oats (even if the label states gluten-free) while on a strict gluten-free diet.