People with suspected natural food chemical sensitivities (salicylates, amines, glutamates and some food additives such as artificial colours and msg) may undertake the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital elimination diet (RPAH elimination) which is sometimes called the FAILSAFE diet as a way of diagnosing and managing these sensitivities.
JOIN THE COMMUNITY: BRAND NEW Dietitian led Facebook group: Amines, Salicylates and Glutamates: The Food Intolerance Dietitian for great information and community support.
Plain rice crackers are often eaten as part of this diet as rice is naturally low in salicylates, amines and glutamates (SAG) and are easily found at the supermarket.
RICE CRACKERS: plain is not always plain!
Buyer beware as I have noticed that the ingredients of the so called plain rice crackers are changing and do not always end up being so plain.
Here are the ingredients from a homebrand PLAIN rice cracker for a leading supermarket:
Australian Rice Flour (92%), Bamboo Fibre, Sunflower Oil, Salt, Maltodextrin, Sugar, Flavour Enhancer (627, 631).
627: Disodium-5′-guanylate = a flavour enhancer
631: Disodium-5′-inosinaten = another flavour enhancer
NOT SO PLAIN!
First of all check the information supplied to you from your specialist Food Intolerance Dietitian and the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital allergy unit resource (food lists): https://www.slhd.nsw.gov.au/rpa/allergy/pdf/20230419_elim_diet_shopping.pdf
SUITABLE RICE CRACKERS FOR THE RPAH ELIMINATION DIET
Rice crackers: look out for and avoid
- flavour as an ingredient although sold as plain (flavoured rice crackers tend to be vary high in glutamates, as are most savoury snack foods)
- seeds (including chia seeds): high in salicylates and amines
- seaweed: very high in salicylates, amines and glutamates
- yeast extract
- soy sauce powder
- flavour enhancers added: see below
Note white or brown rice is absolutely fine but avoid wholegrain (as = seeds, which are high in salicylates and amines)
GLUTAMATE ADDITIVES
620: L-glutamic acid
621: Monosodium L-glutamate or MSG
622: Monopotassium L-glutamate
623: Calcium glutamate
624: Monoammonium L-glutamate
625: Magnesium glutamate
OTHER FLAVOUR ENHANCERS
627: Disodium-5′-guanylate
631: Disodium-5′-inosinate
635: Disodium-5′-ribonucleotides
636: Maltol
637: Ethyl maltol
FLAVOUR MODIFIERS
640: Glycine
641: L-Leucine
Many previously recommended plain rice crackers have turned up with flavours added, or some flavour enhancers.
Always check, even with recommended brands as they can, and do, change without notice.
SUITABLE PLAIN RICE CRACKERS on the RPAH/ FAILSAFE DIET
See some recommended plain rice crackers below: checked 24/7/23 (but always check for yourself!).
Fine suitable plain rice crackers is a bit hard these days: here are some limited choices:
SAKATA plain is readily available in leading supermarkets in Australia
Tribe rice crackers- may need to search speciality stores.
Found in specialty store (I found this in a leading health food store).
You will notice oil the packet that the rice is made from Jasmine rice: see note below re Jasmine rice and moderate salicylates..
This blog will be updated as new products come to hand, feel free to contact me with any suitable rice products you come across that fits the bill!
Supporting the FAILSAE/ RPAH elimination diet.
NOTE RE: JASMINE RICE & MODERATE SALICYLATES
Most rice crackers are made from jasmine rice which are moderate in salicylates, rather than low, as preferred, however, this may need to be overlooked as it is so hard to source non Jasmine based rice crackers, and the companies usually need to be contacted regarding this level of information, which is difficult to do on an ongoing basis.
NOTE RE: FODMAP diet
Rice crackers that do not have onion/galric are suitable for the Low FODMAP diet. All products reviewed are also Low FODMAP.
Updated 24/7/23