July 20, 2009
Dedicated Facilities
Reading this recent post by The Gluten Free Insider further solidified my desire to consume only foods produced in a dedicated gluten-free facility. Granted, this post is on the official blog of a dedicated gluten-free facility company, Kinnikinnick, so there is always the potential for bias. However, the observations presented coincide with what I have read elsewhere about flour in the air and the difficulties of truly cleaning equipment between runs.
Product: Sunsweet Pitted Prunes
The label of my Sunsweet Pitted Prunes indicated no gluten.
INGREDIENTS: Pitted California prunes (dried plums), potassium sorbate (as a preservative).
However, there was no statement about shared facilities or equipment. A short email to Sunsweet was quickly answered in detail.
INGREDIENTS: Pitted California prunes (dried plums), potassium sorbate (as a preservative).
However, there was no statement about shared facilities or equipment. A short email to Sunsweet was quickly answered in detail.
Dear Ms. thestrictceliacThanks to Sunsweet for a detailed and quick response!:
Thank you for contacting us regarding the gluten content of Sunsweet products.
The ingredient list on all our products is complete and accurate. With one exception, Sunsweet products do not contain gluten, nor do we process any products in plants that contain gluten. The one exception is the Sunsweet Chocolate Plum Sweets which has an allergen statement on the packaging stating that the product contains milk and soy and is manufactured in a facility that processes dairy, peanuts, soy, tree nuts and wheat.
In regards to any potential allergic reaction to an ingredient, your physician would be the best person to consult. We cannot give medical advice.
If you have any further questions, please call our Consumer Affairs Department, toll free, at 1-800-417-2253. Our representatives are available to assist you weekdays between 9:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. Eastern Time.
Thank you for your comments.
Amusing Observation #1
You know you're a celiac when...
...the 5 second rule no longer applies. I never realized how much dropped food I ate.
...the 5 second rule no longer applies. I never realized how much dropped food I ate.
July 19, 2009
Working List of New Kitchen Items
I was not surprised to learn that I needed to replace my wood cutting board. It is both made from a porous material and is too large to be washed in the dishwasher. However, I was initially surprised to learn I needed to replace my teflon pans. Had I thought about it, I might not have been so surprised. Teflon scratches easily, and gluten can get in the scratches and remain there to deposit itself into your food.
Here is my working list of new kitchen items I need to purchase. I had hoped to go this weekend, but given that I still need to thoroughly clean the kitchen, it's probably not a bad thing that this hasn't happened yet. For now, I am only eating things that can be prepared without cookware, made on a cleaned counter surface or the microwave.
I share our kitchen with my gluten-eating boyfriend, so a reorganization is also in order. We will probably keep all my food and kitchen items in one area. I am interested in finding more resources on sharing a kitchen, so that is a note to self.
It's my current understanding that glasses, plates, and silverware can be shared as long as they are thoroughly cleaned before use, and that the dishwasher is sufficient for this purpose. I'll be getting new pots of various sizes. Pots can get scratched when inappropriate mixing utensils are used and gluten can remain in these scratches.
The List
large metal pot (pasta, etc.)
medium metal pot (quinoa, rice, etc.)
small metal saucepan
medium skillet
(all pots and pans with no plastic handles)
tupperware in many sizes, at least 10 pieces
serving and mixing utensils
cutting boards
baking pans, assorted sizes
chip clips
Future List
This list contains items I will need to research more thoroughly before purchasing since I do not currently own any of them.
rice cooker
bread maker
crock pot
Here is my working list of new kitchen items I need to purchase. I had hoped to go this weekend, but given that I still need to thoroughly clean the kitchen, it's probably not a bad thing that this hasn't happened yet. For now, I am only eating things that can be prepared without cookware, made on a cleaned counter surface or the microwave.
I share our kitchen with my gluten-eating boyfriend, so a reorganization is also in order. We will probably keep all my food and kitchen items in one area. I am interested in finding more resources on sharing a kitchen, so that is a note to self.
It's my current understanding that glasses, plates, and silverware can be shared as long as they are thoroughly cleaned before use, and that the dishwasher is sufficient for this purpose. I'll be getting new pots of various sizes. Pots can get scratched when inappropriate mixing utensils are used and gluten can remain in these scratches.
The List
large metal pot (pasta, etc.)
medium metal pot (quinoa, rice, etc.)
small metal saucepan
medium skillet
(all pots and pans with no plastic handles)
tupperware in many sizes, at least 10 pieces
serving and mixing utensils
cutting boards
baking pans, assorted sizes
chip clips
Future List
This list contains items I will need to research more thoroughly before purchasing since I do not currently own any of them.
rice cooker
bread maker
crock pot
Why is this blog here?
I was just diagnosed with celiac disease on July 15, 2009. In the few days since my diagnosis I have found finding accurate information for my new gluten-free diet challenging and frustrating.
There are 'gluten-free' product review blogs and 'gluten-free' product lists at some of my local grocery stores. Now, I just put gluten-free in quotes there for a reason. The clinical gluten-free diet for celiacs requires that food be prepared in a gluten-free dedicated facility. Many foods with 'gluten-free' labeling are processed in facilities and on equipment with wheat or other foods with gluten ingredients. That is not gluten-free. I am following the strict clinical gluten-free diet recommended for people with celiac disease. I have personally chosen not to risk eating those products, as they have a higher probability of cross-contamination with gluten.
My main reason for starting this blog is to keep track of what I have found. Which products are really gluten-free according to the clinical definition? Also, what websites do I need to remember to check out. What items do I need to remind myself to look up? Which companies responded to my emails and what did they say? What interesting things have come up (e.g. my handsanitizer has gluten in it)?
Right now this site is for me to keep my sanity as I try and keep track of everything. If it helps someone else that is amazing! Maybe further in my journey I will make an effort to promote it to help others who are following a strict gluten-free diet.
I am not a medical doctor and if you have celiac you should make decisions on your own with the help of a nutritionist and/or doctor about what you will eat. Ingredients change and a product I post may later become glutenized.
There are 'gluten-free' product review blogs and 'gluten-free' product lists at some of my local grocery stores. Now, I just put gluten-free in quotes there for a reason. The clinical gluten-free diet for celiacs requires that food be prepared in a gluten-free dedicated facility. Many foods with 'gluten-free' labeling are processed in facilities and on equipment with wheat or other foods with gluten ingredients. That is not gluten-free. I am following the strict clinical gluten-free diet recommended for people with celiac disease. I have personally chosen not to risk eating those products, as they have a higher probability of cross-contamination with gluten.
My main reason for starting this blog is to keep track of what I have found. Which products are really gluten-free according to the clinical definition? Also, what websites do I need to remember to check out. What items do I need to remind myself to look up? Which companies responded to my emails and what did they say? What interesting things have come up (e.g. my handsanitizer has gluten in it)?
Right now this site is for me to keep my sanity as I try and keep track of everything. If it helps someone else that is amazing! Maybe further in my journey I will make an effort to promote it to help others who are following a strict gluten-free diet.
I am not a medical doctor and if you have celiac you should make decisions on your own with the help of a nutritionist and/or doctor about what you will eat. Ingredients change and a product I post may later become glutenized.
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