11 replies to this topic

[Wheresthebeef]

http://www.celiac.co...eef#entry828902

Does anyone know why Publix's regular beef - as in not 'Green-Wise' - doesn't make it on their gluten-free list? Also is non-organic grocery store beef safe in general? This list has got me afraid of grocery store beef now.

[psawyer]

Also is non-organic grocery store beef safe in general?

Yes it is.

[Marilyn R]

Hi,

I shop at Publix regularly and don't purchase their pricy "Greenwise" meat products. I agree with Peter, and just so you know, he always gives good advice.

I remember being frustrated when I printed off their gluten-free list a few years ago. They listed every tooth floss in the store.

It get's better.

[shadowicewolf]

Unless the meat is coated with something like a breading or whathaveyou, its gluten free.

[Wheresthebeef]

Great, thanks everyone.

[Wheresthebeef]

Dear Ms. X,

Thank you for taking the time to contact us with your question and allowing us the opportunity to serve you. We always enjoy hearing from our customers, and we appreciate the trust you have placed in us as your grocer of choice.

Although Publix Ground Beef and Steaks are gluten free meats, the Publix Meat Department is not gluten free. Wheat is used in the processing of Ready to Cook Meat items. The consumer may want to work with the Meat Manager in the store where she shops concerning the possibility of cross contamination with wheat.

For nutritional information including a list of:

Gluten Free products, please go to the following website www.publix.com/wellness/food/nutrition-center/The-Right-Foods-for-You.do.

We hope we have answered your question to your satisfaction. Should you have additional follow up, please do not hesitate to contact our customer care specialist at 1-800-242-1227. You may also contact us via email at www.publix.com/contact or write us at Publix Super Markets, Inc., P.O. Box 407, Lakeland, FL 33802, ATTN: Customer Care. Please be sure to reference your case identification number noted above. We look forward to hearing from you again soon.

Sincerely,
John
Customer Care

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This is an email I got from Publix. I'm not sure what to make of this.

[psawyer]

The usual legal disclaimer that wheat is present in the facility and thus they can not guarantee that cross-contamination is impossible. It would not deter me from eating the meats.

[Wheresthebeef]

The usual legal disclaimer that wheat is present in the facility and thus they can not guarantee that cross-contamination is impossible. It would not deter me from eating the meats.

Do you wash them off when you take them out of the plastic? Would you eat hamburger too? It kind of discouraged me from eating hamburger since you can't rinse it all off but I don't want to give it up, or go to alot of trouble finding another store to buy hamburger...

This is kind the similar response you get when you email full-service restaurants about gluten-free food. They say they have gluten-free menus but cannot guarantee against cross contamination.

[psawyer]

Do you wash them off when you take them out of the plastic? Would you eat hamburger too? It kind of discouraged me from eating hamburger since you can't rinse it all off but I don't want to give it up, or go to alot of trouble finding another store to buy hamburger...

This is kind the similar response you get when you email full-service restaurants about gluten-free food. They say they have gluten-free menus but cannot guarantee against cross contamination.

We buy meat, including ground meat, at our usual supermarket. We take it out of the package and use it without further ado.

Cross contamination can happen at any point on the supply line, not just at the final point of packaging. Any claim to guarantee that cc can not occur is at best misinformed. No such guarantee can ever be honestly made.

[Wheresthebeef]

So it seems like most food in general cannot be guaranteed against cc, unless you go kill it/grow it yourself!

[psawyer]

So it seems like most food in general cannot be guaranteed against cc, unless you go kill it/grow it yourself!

Exactly. Precautions can be taken to minimize risk, but no guarantee is possible. Some products guarantee less than x parts per million, because they test for that level, but no test can prove zero content.

Oh, and if you grow it yourself, grow it in a pressure-sealed greenhouse to be sure that airborne flour from your neighbor's baking doesn't land on your berries.

[Marilyn R]

_{I usually rinse whole meat or fish with water or vinegar. It probably isn't necessary. Ground beef, pork, chicken and lamb have all been fine from Publix without being rinsed.}