Jumbo recalls gluten-free spaghetti for having too much gluten

Supermarket chain Jumbo is recalling its own-brand gluten-free spaghetti due to excessive gluten content. The chain cautions that the product could pose a health risk for people with a gluten allergy or intolerance.

A spokesperson warned, “If you follow a gluten-free diet, do not consume this product.” The affected item is ‘Jumbo Lekker vrij van gluten spaghetti’, with a best-before date of September 10, 2028. It has been available in stores since October 15.

Jumbo expressed regret over the recall. “If you have bought the product, you can bring it back to any Jumbo store. We will refund the purchase price, and no receipt is needed,” a spokesperson said.

People with celiac disease, an autoimmune disorder, may experience serious health issues from consuming this product, such as intestinal lining damage, severe stomach pain, nausea, and long-lasting fatigue. Even trace amounts of gluten can provoke a strong reaction.

By law, a product labeled “gluten-free” must contain less than 20 milligrams of gluten per kilogram (20 ppm), but Jumbo’s spaghetti exceeded this threshold.

The high gluten level is most likely due to cross-contamination during production. This can happen when gluten-free spaghetti is manufactured in the same facility or on the same equipment as wheat-containing products.