Domino's new gluten-free pizza crust not recommended for people with celiac disease

Domino's gluten-free crust

/ Domino's

(CBS News) Domino's announced Monday it will be the first national pizza delivery chain to offer gluten-free crust to its consumers.

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Starting today, the pizza chain will offer a small, 10-inch gluten-free crust at all U.S. stores.

Domino's partnered with the National Foundation for Celiac Awareness to make sure its gluten-free pizza met the criteria for the foundation's "GREAT (Gluten-Free Resource Education and Awareness Training) Kitchens Amber Designation."

Celiac disease is a digestive condition that causes the immune system to react to gluten (a protein found in wheat and some grains), causing damage to the small intestines and preventing absorption of essential nutrients. Symptoms vary from person to person, but may include nausea and vomiting, abdominal pain, bloating, fatigue, constipation, and diarrhea.

According to the foundation, its "Amber Designation" means the ingredients have been verified and managers and staff have been trained on the basics, but kitchen practices may vary with this designation, so "those with celiac disease and non-celiac gluten sensitivity should ask questions and exercise judgment when dining at an establishment with an Amber Designation."

As such, Domino's said in a company statement it does not recommend the new crust for people with celiac disease.

"Domino's and the NFCA found that while the crust is certified as gluten free, current store operations at Domino's cannot guarantee that each handcrafted pizza will be completely free from gluten," the company's news release said.

According to Domino's and the NFCA, the crust is a better fit for people with gluten sensitivity.

What's the difference?

Celiac disease is diagnosed through a blood test, so people experiencing discomfort who do not test positive for celiac disease may have non-celiac gluten sensitivity. People with non-celiac gluten sensitivity might experience similar symptoms as someone with celiac disease, but they are often less severe and don't cause the same intestinal damage.

The condition is thought to have become more common in recent years affecting millions of people, but a recent study this February found many people experiencing symptoms such as diarrhea, cramps and bloating might have a condition that causes similar symptoms - irritable bowel syndrome. That means a gluten-free diet won't be of much help in reducing symptoms.

People who think they are sensitive to gluten or have celiac disease should consult with a doctor.

WebMD has more on gluten intolerance and celiac disease.

[kstroup]

As mother of someone with celiacs who was misdiagnosed for 8 years (he was told he had IBS and interstacial cyctitis), I'm appalled at the cavalier posts from people who have no idea how serious celiacs is. He's suffered a concussion, two broken teeth,and a broken nose after attacks that were so severe that the pain caused him to pass out. It's not about him being more RESPONSIBLE for his health. Don't advertise it as gluten free when you know it isn't.When you put it in the same oven as the other pizzas, you've cross contaminated to the extent that you've endangered a person who is highly sensitive, and they were counting on you to give them a GLUTEN FREE pizza, because that's what you advertise. My son is 6ft. tall, and weighs 115 lbs.

[glutenfreemarie]

As someone who has Celiac Disease, I am rather disappointed in Domino's usage of the term "gluten free". May is "Celiac Awareness" month, and yet the company chose to launch a new product dubbed "gluten free", that is not suitable for anyone with Celiac Disease. I was diagnosed with the autoimmune disorder in 1997 at the age of 13. In the past 15 years, access to "truly" gluten free products has greatly grown and I am able to live a healthy lifestyle. Although, for me, it is not a "fad diet", it is a lifetime sentence. The most difficult time period for me was in college, where the staple diet is beer and pizza, two items that are on the "Do not consume" list. You suddenly become a social outcast, by genetic default. I would respectfully ask Domino's to change the label of this product. As of right now, I will not be purchasing any of your pizzas, and neither will my family and friends, because the person with Celiac Disease tends to pick where the group eats.

[nthompson102]

Did you ever think maybe they are saying it's not for Celiac's because of legal reasons? Maybe they don't want hit with a lawsuit if someone gets sick. With the NFCA being involved I trust it, I am sure the NFCA would make sure the toppings were separate and would not put their reputation on the line if it was not gf. It comes down to them avoiding a lawsuit. I give them much credit and respect for the way they have handled adding gf to their menu.

[hboyer90]

I would love to think this, but every time I have tried the pizza I have experienced gluten symptoms. I have tried their pizza several different times and have never not experienced negative results after eating it. :(

[renly85]

You guys are all so narrow minded. Dominos Pizza's new gluten-free crust has a gluten content of less than 20 ppm - ALMOST ZERO! And was publicly certified as gluten-free by the NFCA. But, and they have a disclaimer for this, because the certified gluten-free crust is made in a store with other non-gluten-free items, they can't recommend it for people with Celiac's disease. What do you expect - for them to have a completely separate kitchen in all of their stores just to make this pizza? Impossible.

At least they're offering something that gives an option for people who are gluten-sensitive. And at least they're honest about how it might not be good for people with Celiac disease. They're not perfect.

Watch this video, which explains it all: http://youtu.be/2ZXHU5sXAfA

[noglutenhere]

Are you kidding me?

Glutenfree means less than 20ppm - and Domino's is making a mockery out of something that is to mean safe food for Celiacs and inturn safe for others with either a gluten allergy or gluten sensitivity.

The FDA should march right in a give them a harsh $$$ fine using the word gluten free on a pizza that is clearly not gluten free crust pizza the moment a piece/drop/splash of gluten goes on it! They use "common kitchen" (domino's words) practices where they use the same shared EVERYTHING from toppings to sauces to ovens to pizza cutters.

What a play on the word gluten free.

Did you ever hear kinda pregnant? Well this is kinda glute free.

[wowglutenfree]

Can they do dairy,soy,egg,corn and potato free? I can and my pizza taste great.#1 in the US on gluten free registry.com. Why even sell it if celiacs can't buy it? I would like to hear from my customers.wowglutenfreefood.com

[WeeziesGFK]

Not so fast Domino's! Why would do this if you aren't going to go all the way? I predict they pull this product within months if not sooner. Celiacs and gluten sensitive people won't go NEAR this product because of cross contamination, so who's left???

[CONNOLE1056]

I think they did this for the reason they are in business-to make money! Duh? I bet many celiacs will flock to Domino's for this pizza. Whether or not they should is another story. Many people who choose to be GF will appreciate this because they are not concerned about cross-contamination in the same way celiacs are. I bet there will be individual stores that are willing to clean the pans & utensils, and avoid contaminating food in the first place, to make a truly GF pizza if the demand is high enough. Many celiacs are asymptomatic and get lazy about cross-contamination and this will prob be a big hit for them. Of course, if it tastes like cardboard, as most GF pizza does, the crust could be a huge failure. Almost every restaurant I have been in that makes GF food has some kind of warning about contamination, and I do not see how this is any different.

[LisaSajedi]

We just left our local Domino's completely disappointed....after seeing the CBS news last night we were excited to learn that this pizza chain was now offering " gluten free" pizza but the Dominos employee said he had to read us a prepared statement which stated that people with Celiac should not eat their pizza! My question then is, why did CBS news mention Domino's Pizza while reporting on Celiac Disease in the same story, shame on you! My 12 year old daughter has Celiac Disease and doesn't understand this either......

[DeirdreSaoirseMoen]

Well, the crust *was* gluten free, but it surely won't remain so. I will continue patronizing chains, like Amici's, that have better gluten-free handling practices (as well as the fact that I know their crusts come from a dedicated gluten-free facility; I don't know that about Domino's crusts).

[Puristat_Wellness_Center]

Gluten intolerance is a genetic issue to a very large extent. It is commonly, but not exclusively, connected to type O blood. While thirty-three percent of the Western world's population has type O blood, it is difficult to say just what percentage of these people will become gluten intolerant.

People with type O blood tend to be of Irish, English, and Mediterranean descent. However, people with other blood types are known to become afflicted as well.


http://www.puristat.com/glutenintolerance/default.aspx

Great Info!