This question comes up all of the time. The truth is oats are gluten free in their purest form. However, farmers who grow grain, often grow wheat and barley or another type that does contain gluten. In these circumstances, oats are moved using the same equipment as other grains and cross contamination occurs.

In order to grow certified gluten free oats, all machinery and equipment must only carry gluten free oats, and each batch is tested in a laboratory for the presence of gluten. In Ireland a food product must test under 20 parts per million (ppm) gluten to be certified gluten free. The Merry Mill Organic Gluten Free Oats test below 5ppm.

To fully understand, you must learn about the journey of organic oats from field to fork.

1. A field is ploughed and organic gluten free oat seeds are sowed.

2. A farmer walks lengths of the field and manually removes any rogue grains that may enter the field (Rogue grains may enter the field by wind, birds or other natural causes)

3. The oats are harvest by a combine harvester and transported to the mill in a gluten free trailer.

4. Oats are stored in a gluten free storage facility.

5. Oats are manufactured and packaged in a gluten free mill.

6. The packaged oats are shipped to the customer.

Each process or location in bold must exclusively have gluten free equipment.

If you have questions or concerns please email us info@themerrymill.ie