Cross-Contamination

Welcome -

Hi! Today, let's talk about something that can be a total buzzkill when it comes to enjoying our favorite foods: gluten cross-contamination. I know, it sounds like a mouthful, but trust me, it's important to understand.

Picture this: you're at a restaurant, all excited to try their gluten-free options. But here's the catch- even if a menu item is labeled "gluten-free," there's still a chance it could come into contact with gluten. That's where cross-contamination sneaks in.

What is it?

Cross-contamination happens when gluten gets all over the gluten-free preparation area. This happens in a few sneaky ways. For starters, when the same equipment is used to prepare both gluten and gluten-free meals. This leaves a trace of gluten all over our meal. Boom! It's ruined now. Seriously, be careful of shared utensils and cutting boards.

Examples -

The one that makes me the most upset is the same fryer and grill. That means no fries or chips! If gluten foods go into the same fryer as our gluten-free foods, the oil has traces of gluten and left in it, and boom, the meal is ruined. In order to eat fried foods, there must be a dedicated fryer.

Even eating ice cream is a risk! The scooper that scooped that Cookie-Dough just reached into your Chocolate ice cream… oh no! That can’t happen! The worker must use a new scooper.

In any kitchen, the preparation area must be completely cleaned and have no gluten particles floating around anywhere!

Solutions -

There are ways to combat cross-contamination and keep our meals safe. Look for restaurants that take cross-contamination seriously, using separate equipment and prep areas for gluten-free foods. And always, always double-check with the staff about their gluten-free precautions.

At home, keep your kitchen gluten-free safe. Designate gluten-free utensils, cutting boards, and pans, and be a cleaning pro to eliminate any gluten residue. It may seem like a hassle, but hey, it's worth it to enjoy our meals without worries, right?

So, next time you're out and about, remember the sneaky ways gluten cross-contamination can try to ruin our gluten-free meals. Stay informed, speak up, and keep being safe with the gluten-free lifestyle!