Ox on the Roof

Hi, all! I have been doing very well lately and got unexpectedly zapped. I knew it was actual GLUTEN because I had neuro symptoms, not just GI (ex. I had periphrial neuropathy in one foot for half a day and I was very dizzy - sure signs of gluten for me). The ONLY thing I had eaten differently was some gravy I had made with corn starch, and there was no possibility of cc because it was made in my kitchen with my dishes. Because Argo Corn Starch specifically states "cornstarch is a gluten-free product" on their label, I had a hard time figuring out what had made me sick. But I decided to email the company anyhow. Here is their response:

October 1, 2012

Jenny,

Thanks for contacting ACH Food, Inc.

Argo Corn Starch is produced in a facility where dairy, eggs, soy, wheat and coconut are also present. (Wheat is the only gluten product in our facility.) Generally, the corn starch is run on its own equipment; if there is an occasion where a product containing wheat would be run on the same equipment, we perform a thorough clean-out procedure between operations to prevent cross-contamination. While our facility is not certified gluten-free, we do everything possible to ensure there is no cross-contamination in our gluten-free products.

I hope this information is helpful. Please let us know if you have other questions.

We appreciate your interest and hope you will continue to enjoy our products.

Judy
Consumer Affairs
ACH Food, Inc.

000239822A

I don't want to cause paranoia, and some people may not be sensitive enough for this to matter. But I thought I'd share since the reply was surprising.

(On a semi-related side note, how difficult do you think it would be to remove wheat from a line that runs very powdery products like cornstarch?)

I searched the forum but did not see any previous posts with this particular question.

My short question:

Is there a lab that will test FOOD for gluten?

My long question:

I am a self-diagnosed Celiac via diet (bloodwork was negative and I did not have a scope run before going gluten-free - LONG story, involving some BAD doctors!). My illness began way back in May of 2009. In ignorance I went "sorta" gluten-free just over a year ago, and then got extremely strict with other foods and stopped eating out completely about two months ago. I've been feeling MUCH better, too. The only grain I've eaten is rice. No dairy, soy, nuts, not even ready-made cereals like Chex. It's mostly just been meat, veggies, fruit, potatoes, and eggs. Whole foods.

Earlier this week, my husband bought me some Food for Life gluten-free English Muffins. I ate one Monday night and was horribly sick on Tuesday and Wednesday. Just today I am starting to feel better. I Googled and searched this forum for info about Food for Life and was not thrilled with what I found.

This may be a crazy idea, but I was thinking that if I could have one of the remaining muffins tested, and it contained gluten, I'd have a definite answer.

My mom called and told me to look up John Pinette on YouTube. I am glad I did because today has been rough and I needed a good laugh! This is a short stand-up clip about Celiac (although the comedian was told he has a "wheat allergy") and it is completely clean (my children watched it with me). If I have posted in the wrong place, feel free to move it.

John Pinette: Still Hungry