Cross Contamination
Cross contamination occurs when gluten free food comes in contact with food containing gluten, making it unsafe for use in the gluten free diet.
Although we don’t “see” contamination, we have to accept it is a given and take every precaution we can to keep it to a minimum. Then we just have to move on!
It’s similar to getting behind the wheel of a car; we drive, despite knowing all the things that COULD happen on the road. We must just drive defensively.
We have to eat, but we can do so defensively, protecting ourselves from the possible potential of gluten contamination.
Eating at Home without Burning out the Cook
When not everyone in the household is eating gluten free, a suggested way for the family to eat is:
o Breakfast - everyone has their own separate breakfast
o Lunch - everyone has their own separate lunch
o Dinner - everyone eats gluten free
o Desserts - everyone eats gluten free (and there are some fabulous gluten free desserts!!)
For breakfast and lunch, use a separate place on the counter for gluten free food preparation to avoid cross contamination.
Alternatively, you can, as an example, use a clean plate to prepare a GF sandwich so the bread does not touch a surface on the counter that may be gluten contaminated.
Utensils in kitchens will create the biggest cross contamination problem at home so be aware and be careful!
Use separate butter, peanut butter, jam, etc. and when possible, use squeeze bottles for condiments.
Use a separate toaster or a toaster bag to prevent contamination of gluten free bread products.
Restaurant Eating
This is where cross contamination will happen the most. Special care must be taken in the preparation of gluten free foods.
Although eating at restaurants has become much better for people following the gluten free diet, there are still some restaurants that are trying to get on the band wagon and offer gluten free food. Unfortunately many have not been diligent in learning all they need to know about offering these gluten free choices.
For this reason, it is still very important to convey to people at the restaurant that you MUST eat gluten free.
The following are some ways to communicate that:
Cross contamination occurs when gluten free food comes in contact with food containing gluten, making it unsafe for use in the gluten free diet.
Although we don’t “see” contamination, we have to accept it is a given and take every precaution we can to keep it to a minimum. Then we just have to move on!
It’s similar to getting behind the wheel of a car; we drive, despite knowing all the things that COULD happen on the road. We must just drive defensively.
We have to eat, but we can do so defensively, protecting ourselves from the possible potential of gluten contamination.
Eating at Home without Burning out the Cook
When not everyone in the household is eating gluten free, a suggested way for the family to eat is:
o Breakfast - everyone has their own separate breakfast
o Lunch - everyone has their own separate lunch
o Dinner - everyone eats gluten free
o Desserts - everyone eats gluten free (and there are some fabulous gluten free desserts!!)
For breakfast and lunch, use a separate place on the counter for gluten free food preparation to avoid cross contamination.
Alternatively, you can, as an example, use a clean plate to prepare a GF sandwich so the bread does not touch a surface on the counter that may be gluten contaminated.
Utensils in kitchens will create the biggest cross contamination problem at home so be aware and be careful!
Use separate butter, peanut butter, jam, etc. and when possible, use squeeze bottles for condiments.
Use a separate toaster or a toaster bag to prevent contamination of gluten free bread products.
Restaurant Eating
This is where cross contamination will happen the most. Special care must be taken in the preparation of gluten free foods.
- All hands, utensils, pans, grills, appliances, counters, cooking surfaces and cutting boards must be kept clean and free from gluten.
- Clean water must be used for boiling (such as with pasta).
- Fryer oil must be free from gluten contaminating products (such as breaded chicken fingers and breaded onion rings).
Although eating at restaurants has become much better for people following the gluten free diet, there are still some restaurants that are trying to get on the band wagon and offer gluten free food. Unfortunately many have not been diligent in learning all they need to know about offering these gluten free choices.
For this reason, it is still very important to convey to people at the restaurant that you MUST eat gluten free.
The following are some ways to communicate that:
- Are you familiar with what gluten free eating means?
- I must eat gluten free. I cannot have anything that has wheat, wheat flour, bread, breading, bread crumbs, malt, wheat pasta or soy sauce in it or I will become ill.
- Do you use a different pot when cooking gluten free pasta?
- Do you use a separate fryer for your French fries or do you use the same fryer as items fried with breading such as chicken fingers or onion rings?
