Potential Transfer of Toxic Gluten from Biodegradable Tableware to Gluten-Free Foods: Implications for Individuals with Gluten-Related Disorders

The increasing use of biodegradable food-contact materials poses a risk for individuals with gluten-related disorders, including celiac disease. Tableware manufactured from wheat or other cereal derivatives may retain gluten proteins; regulations do not mandate allergen labeling. This study evaluate...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores: Sousa, Carolina, Heredia Barroso, Abel, Arcos, Lucía de, Segura Montero, Verónica, Ruiz Carnicer, Ángela, Comino Montilla, Isabel María
Tipo de recurso: artículo
Estado:Versión publicada
Fecha de publicación:2025
País:España
Institución:Universidad de Sevilla (US)
Repositorio:idUS. Depósito de Investigación de la Universidad de Sevilla
OAI Identifier:oai:idus.us.es:11441/179374
Acceso en línea:https://hdl.handle.net/11441/179374
https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jafc.5c07516
Access Level:acceso abierto
Palabra clave:Biodegradable food-contact materials
Gluten contamination
Gluten migration
Gluten related-disorders
Celiac disease
Food packaging safety
Allergen
Descripción
Sumario:The increasing use of biodegradable food-contact materials poses a risk for individuals with gluten-related disorders, including celiac disease. Tableware manufactured from wheat or other cereal derivatives may retain gluten proteins; regulations do not mandate allergen labeling. This study evaluated gluten transfer from eight commercial biodegradable items to representative gluten-free foods under realistic conditions. Gluten was quantified in biodegradable tableware and food samples after contact, using monoclonal antibody-based assays (G12 and A1) which detect gluten immunogenic peptides (GIP), providing a sensitive measure of potential immunological risk. Only one wheat-derived dish contained gluten and transferred it into solid and liquid foods. Migration was greater in liquid foods, particularly emulsified systems. In several cases transferred gluten exceeded the 20 mg/kg threshold for gluten-free labeling. Heat and prolonged exposure increased transfer. These findings highlight a critical regulatory gap, underscoring the urgent need for mandatory allergen labeling on biodegradable tableware to protect vulnerable consumers.