Notes of Caution

Where do I start? The FDA took more than a decade to approve xanthan gum as safe for human consumption, though the product was developed under the auspices of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Recent studies show symptoms identical to gluten exposure in gluten-intolerant and celiac sufferers following ingestion of xanthan gum. More alarming yet is the number of infants and children fed xanthan gum now presenting with compromised immune systems, necrosis, or tissue death. And if you’ve got an allergy to soy or dairy, xanthan gum’s a good thing to avoid.