Did You Miss the Gluten-Free Fireworks This Past Fourth of July?

I guess I fail to see the humor in this.  Mis use of marketing terms can lead to confusion for firework manufacturer s and other distributors and retailers of fireworks.  It may help generate traffic to the store, (at the expense of celiacs, ) but it likely can cause confusion for the industry. It's possible other firework retailers are asked how come they don't sell gluten free fireworks. I've worked phone center lines in past  and this would generate business for him and countless unnecessary calls as well as false advertising claims for others. Does Mr. Keeley charge more for them too? I hope he donates some of his profits to a celiac charity. His disdain is overt.

"Gluten Free" is such a funny punch line, rolling my eyes and shaking my head.

really????

Last year, prior to my Celiac diagnosis,  I woke up on January 1st sicker than I had ever been. The only thing I did different from my normal routine on the previous evening was stand very close to our neighbo’rs firework display- (he spends thousands on this-so it was epic). That morning, I couldn’t talk- my eyes were almost swollen shut, my entire body was covered in hives, was swollen and painful, and I could barely walk. I was so perplexed because hadn’t done anything else different but my body was acting like I was having a SEVERE allergic reaction- I just didn’t know why. My health digressed very quickly and I was soon after diagnosed with celiac disease. I have extensive and have been told- irreversible damage- requiring surgeries. My dr says it’s the worst case he’s seen. I’ve had to learn a lot in a year and am still learning to research all ingredients in just about everything. Naturally, as January 1st is tomorrow and I’ve been invited to celebrate with neighbors again and enjoy their firework display, I have to prepare and make sure I can be safe. Remembering how horrible I felt the next day. I decided to investigate if fireworks contain gluten. This Google search led me to this article. I ALMOST allowed it to be my answer- as they said fireworks don’t contain gluten. Because I have such a severe case, I can’t take anyone’s word for it- so I dug into the ingredients that are most commonly used in fireworks. One of them is Dextrin, which is used as a binder. Most commonly- derived from wheat because it’s so cheap (surprise surprise). And unless it’s been extracted in such a way to prevent cross contact, even though it’s a wheat starch, it’s almost 100 percent gluten containing. So- it may be wise to make sure you’re not spreading misinformation about fireworks not containing gluten unless you have researched and know for a fact the binder they use is not derived from wheat. And also, the “gluten-free fireworks” joke is in poor taste when those of us like me, who have to live hyper vigilant lives in order to feel safe at all are already constantly dismissed as being an “alarmist,” because people refuse to believe it’s not just a preference- and it’s a medical necessity. This article is disappointing and I’m disappointed that this website would not do their due diligence to make sure they aren’t participating in the continual spread of misinformation and ignorance around products containing gluten. 

https://www.livestrong.com/article/445850-what-is-bad-about-mono-diglycerides/

"Wheat dextrin used as dietary fiber may cause slight stomach pain, bloating or gas. While wheat dextrin is considered a gluten-free starch by the FDA's definition, small amounts of wheat may be digested or the product may contain some residual gluten. People with celiac disease should consult their physician before consuming any product containing wheat dextrin."

@Bluesybirdie, wheat dextrin is not "almost 100% gluten containing". Gluten is a protein, not a starch. Jefferson Adams is not the one spreading misinformation here.

@Bluesybirdie,

So sorry to hear of your sad experience with fireworks. 

Fireworks also contain some irritating chemicals that can have deleterious effects on health.  

Fireworks release Sulfites and Sulfites, as well as Nitrous Oxide.  Sulfites can destroy Thiamine and cause allergic reactions, including swollen eyes, respiratory problems, and rashes.  I have Hypersensitivity Type Four reactions to Sulfites in the air and in foods.  Nitrous Oxide binds irrevocably with Cobalamine Vitamin B12, causing metabolic problems, high histamine levels, and hives. 

It may be the exposure reduced these important vitamins and your Celiac symptoms worsened without these important vitamins needed to keep us in good health.  Have you been checked for nutritional deficiencies?  Hope this helps.

References:

Emission factors and exposures from ground-level pyrotechnics

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1352231010004310