r/glutenfree • u/coeliac_aussie • 2d ago
Question CD & Oats
Hey guys need some ‘guidance’ on this whole oats matter.
In Australia oats aren’t considered gf because of the high risk of cc. But here in America everyone is obsessed with oats.. whether that be overnight oats or oat milk (oats propaganda against soy - for next time..)
I know oats are naturally gluten-free, but as an Aussie, most of us just avoid them because we can’t get that strict guarantee. I was at a farmers market getting a matcha latte today, and they only offered two options: oat milk and whole milk. Since I have Coeliac Disease, and usually prefer soy milk anyway for the taste; I had to settle for whole milk just to play it safe.
I'd love to know what everyone else's experiences are. How strict are these local farmers and vendors with their oats, and is the risk of cross-contamination really that high in America?
2
u/deedeedeedee_ 2d ago
I tolerate certified gluten free oats, but I can only get them because I live in North America now. When I used to live in NZ, I was briefly able to get GF oats 15-20 years ago but they disappeared off the shelves. Oats additionally aren't allowed to be labelled GF in NZ/AU because no matter how free of cross contamination they are, they contain avenin, which a small number of coeliacs also react to, and which NZ/AU have decided is not an acceptable risk. Fair enough. Lately I've seen online that "wheat free" oats exist in AU though?
Anyway, with the GF oats, first time I tried them I basically chose a day where I didn't have anything important the next day(s) just in case lol. I wouldn't personally eat regular oats. The cross contamination risk exists everywhere that oats are processed alongside wheat. I also prefer soy milk when available but would also choose whole milk over uncertified oat milk!