Hidden Sources Of Gluten and Cross Contamination

Do you toast your gluten-free bread in the same toaster that is used for wheat-based bread? Those tiny wheat crumbs that remain in the toaster could contaminate your gluten-free bread. I invested in a toaster oven that only I use

Grill the gluten-free foods first, also if making gf pasta and reg pasta do the gluten-free first and drain it first. Yes you can get cross-contamination if you use the same strainer or colander.

If you are baking both gluten-free and wheat-based cookies during the holidays, make the gluten-free ones first.

Wood cutting boards are porous and gluten may become embedded in them or have separate ones just used for gf foods

Non-food items also pose gluten challenges. They say glue used on envelopes and stamps often contains gluten.

Latex or rubber gloves to wash dishes or to clean? These are often dusted with wheat or oat flour. You might want to call your doctor, dentist, orthodontist request that they use non powdered gloves.

I work in a school with children that have multi-needs, we go through hundreds of gloves a day. We have gloves now that do not have powder in them because I cannot use gloves that are powdered. They make my hands turn red and itchy.

Gluten can hide in art supplies, such as paints, clay, play dough, and glue. It is also present in many personal items such as lipstick, lip balm, sunscreen, shampoos, soaps, cosmetics, skin lotions, toothpaste, and mouthwash. Household products such as cleaning solutions, detergents, even bar soap may contain gluten.

Medications frequently contain gluten. Pills may be dusted with flour during manufacturing

Conveyor belts may have been dusted with wheat flour to keep the candy from sticking. The same for chewing gum

Beware of letters like HVP (hydrogenated vegetable protein), HPP (hydrolyzed plant protein), TVP (textured vegetable protein), MSG (monosodium glutamate could contain wheat if made outside of the U.S.A.), and phrases like modified food starch (safe if made in the U.S.A., but may contain gluten if made elsewhere)

If you are sensitive to gluten or you have Celiac Disease as I do, you have to learn to read labels and if you’re not sure then don’t get it, at least that’s what I do. Make calls to companies and ask questions.

Anyone who is gluten sensitive or has Celiac Disease knows how sick you can  can get you if you accidentally ingest it. Now some people don’t get really sick if the accidentally have gluten, I on the other hand get very ill and its no fun at all.