Is This Cross Contamination?

[Seeking2012]

I have my own water jug filled with filtered water and I refill my water bottles with it. Our fridge has been so packed full lately that I haven't had any room in the fridge to put my water jug, so I left it out on the counter. It is labeled "gluten-free," which hubby knows means gluten-free. Well I told him this morning that there was no room for it in the fridge. We will be getting a bigger fridge "soon..."

 

Well, hubby decides to help me out by trying to fit it into the fridge...I said: "You just glutened my water jug."

 

He said: "No I didn't.

 

I said, "Did you touch your phone and then touch my water jug without washing your hands?"

 

He said: "You need to get your head out of your ass."

 

I said: "Don't talk to me right now."

 

He said: "We don't have to live in a clean-room environment!"

 

I didn't respond, and I'm very angry with him right now...

 

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Now, here's why this is, in my opinion, a glutening...he eats wheat bread and then handles his phone immediately after touching the bread with his hands. Therefore, his phone is totally glutened.

 

Now, who's right: him or me?

[kareng]

I have my own water jug filled with filtered water and I refill my water bottles with it. Our fridge has been so packed full lately that I haven't had any room in the fridge to put my water jug, so I left it out on the counter. It is labeled "gluten-free," which hubby knows means gluten-free. Well I told him this morning that there was no room for it in the fridge. We will be getting a bigger fridge "soon..."

 

Well, hubby decides to help me out by trying to fit it into the fridge...I said: "You just glutened my water jug."

 

He said: "No I didn't.

 

I said, "Did you touch your phone and then touch my water jug without washing your hands?"

 

He said: "You need to get your head out of your ass."

 

I said: "Don't talk to me right now."

 

He said: "We don't have to live in a clean-room environment!"

 

I didn't respond, and I'm very angry with him right now...

 

---------------------

 

Now, here's why this is, in my opinion, a glutening...he eats wheat bread and then handles his phone immediately after touching the bread with his hands. Therefore, his phone is totally glutened.

 

Now, who's right: him or me?

 

 

But... you aren't eating his phone..... Just wipe it off before you use it or wash your hands?  Same with the outside of the jug.  Just wipe it off.  The amount of gluten that might have been on the phone and might have gotten on his fingers and maybe landed on the outside of a jug is so small and improbable.  

 

If you are going to be this extreme, you probably can't go out in public where someone might have crumbs on their clothes that might land on your clothes and then might land on your food later that day.  

 

So, what I am trying to say is - yes, you might be a bit over the top on this one.  But a husband should never talk like "You need to get your head out of your ass" to his wife!  

[Seeking2012]

 

But... you aren't eating his phone..... Just wipe it off before you use it or wash your hands?  Same with the outside of the jug.  Just wipe it off.  The amount of gluten that might have been on the phone and might have gotten on his fingers and maybe landed on the outside of a jug is so small and improbable.  

 

If you are going to be this extreme, you probably can't go out in public where someone might have crumbs on their clothes that might land on your clothes and then might land on your food later that day.  

 

So, what I am trying to say is - yes, you might be a bit over the top on this one.  But a husband should never talk like "You need to get your head out of your ass" to his wife!  

 

 

Actually there shouldn't be any doubt whatsoever that CC has occured between the wheat bread to his hands to his phone to my jug. And I don't eat in public much, in fact rarely. There are fewer than 5 restaurants that we go to, and every time we go, I realize there is a small chance of CC and I have to accept that when we eat out. But first time I get sick at a restaurant I never go back.

[kareng]

Actually there shouldn't be any doubt whatsoever that CC has occured between the wheat bread to his hands to his phone to my jug. And I don't eat in public much, in fact rarely. There are fewer than 5 restaurants that we go to, and every time we go, I realize there is a small chance of CC and I have to accept that when we eat out. But first time I get sick at a restaurant I never go back.

 

Nevermind.... I know you just asked "Now, who's right: him or me?" but I didn't think it was as simple as that.  

 

To answer that question - 

 

I think he is right.  You don't have to live in a "clean-room enviroment"

[Gemini]

Kareng is correct.....and so is hubby.  No need to have so much anxiety over being cc'd but it does take time to feel comfortable with the gluten-free diet.  That will come.

 

As for your husband's comment about where your head is....I know I should stop right now but I think it was funny.  But, then again, I have been with my husband for

32 years and I would have cracked up if he said that to me.  That's what happens when you have been together for a long time.....there is more funny than anger.

Look at it from his perspective...maybe he is frustrated with your insistence over being cc'd by things that are not cc.  The adjustment period is just as hard for family as it is for the person with Celiac.

[bartfull]

OK, you Have a cap on the jug, right? So the part the water comes out of hasn't been touched by gluteny hands. Wash the outside of the jug if you're worried, but it'll be fine. I promise.

 

I understand the paranoia, I really do. I run a business and I don't let people bring food in here. Yet I know that people eat gluten and come in here with it on their hands. I wash my hands EVERY SINGLE TIME I am going to put something in my mouth. And I have very bad psoriasis on my hands so it hurts to wash them.

 

It would have been nice if your husband had responded differently. In an ideal world you would have said, "Oh honey, I know you aren't used to thinking about things like this but it scares me so much when anyone else even touches something I'm going to consume." And in an ideal world he would have apologized, washed his hands, then washed the outside of the jug.

 

But we live in a real world where we don't always respond to situations the way we should. Sometime when all is calm and you're both feeling mellow, talk to him about it. Tell him that anxiety is one of the symptoms and you know you over reacted, but that it's hard going through life consumed by fear. Ask him to help you out by being extra careful and assure him that as you heal and as you get used to the diet, things will improve for both of you.

[Seeking2012]

I don't believe I overreacted. I believe he CC'ed my jug and I will bleach the handle when I get home. I like certain things to remain free of CC because I wash my hands enough as it is, you know, over 100 times per day, and especially when preparing my own food and when about to eat my own food. Had I been in a great mood this morning I may have laughed and thought it was funny, but my hormones are imbalanced and my mood has been quite poor lately and I'm seeking medical help for this.

 

If we as Celiac people didn't have to worry about CC, we would just be buying oatmeal and other non-wheat grains that are processed on the same equipment that's used to process wheat flour and not care in the least bit.

[bartfull]

But as we have all said, the OUTSIDE of the jug MAY be cc'd, IF he had smeared gluten all over his phone, which he probably didn't. But the water on the inside is NOT cc'd. If you're that worried you must be afraid to touch anything in your house because he also touched it. That's no way to live, and it's not necessary. You wash your hands before eating anything so there is absolutely nothing to be worried about.

[kareng]

I don't believe I overreacted. I believe he CC'ed my jug and I will bleach the handle when I get home. I like certain things to remain free of CC because I wash my hands enough as it is, you know, over 100 times per day, and especially when preparing my own food and when about to eat my own food. Had I been in a great mood this morning I may have laughed and thought it was funny, but my hormones are imbalanced and my mood has been quite poor lately and I'm seeking medical help for this.

 

If we as Celiac people didn't have to worry about CC, we would just be buying oatmeal and other non-wheat grains that are processed on the same equipment that's used to process wheat flour and not care in the least bit.

 

 

Just an FYI to others who may be reading this - Bleach can't "kill" gluten.  In fact, plain dish or hand soap  and rubbing does a better job to release dirt like wheat than soaking in bleach. 

[StephanieL]

I don't believe I overreacted. I believe he CC'ed my jug and I will bleach the handle when I get home.

 

 

If you are going to lick the handle or your hands after he touched it, sure.  If not, wash and carry on. 

[Mommy4 five]

Sorry, but you did over react. Sounds like hubby needs some grace. He's had a long year if this is how you react to everything.

[Seeking2012]

But as we have all said, the OUTSIDE of the jug MAY be cc'd, IF he had smeared gluten all over his phone, which he probably didn't. But the water on the inside is NOT cc'd. If you're that worried you must be afraid to touch anything in your house because he also touched it. That's no way to live, and it's not necessary. You wash your hands before eating anything so there is absolutely nothing to be worried about.

 

True that the water on the inside is not CC. However, as I said, I like certain things to remain un-CC because my water jug is one of those things that I use to prepare my food. I use it in cooking and in refilling my water jug. If it was a "glutened" object, I would have to segregate it off from my other gluten-free items and treat it like one of my husband's food items, washing my hands after every contact. It gets tiresome. Is it really too much to ask for certain things to remain clean so that I can wash my hands 1 less time per day?

 

 

Just an FYI to others who may be reading this - Bleach can't "kill" gluten.  In fact, plain dish or hand soap  and rubbing does a better job to release dirt like wheat than soaking in bleach. 

 

Actually, bleach will disintegrate the molecular structure of the protein molecule, thus disabling it from causing an immune reaction. A Celiac medical student who is a friend of mine told me this. Also, did you know that if you wash all of your dishes by hand with the same sponge, you are CCing all your dishes. Let's say you just washed a plate that was used to serve spaghetti, with normal wheat noodles. Then, you used that same sponge to wash the plate you are about to eat off of. You then eat your meal. You have just CCed yourself.

 

 

If you are going to lick the handle or your hands after he touched it, sure.  If not, wash and carry on. 

 

Of course not, but what if I touch the handle to pour my water, and THEN I touch my gluten-free waffles? I will then CC myself. Why is this so hard for everyone to grasp?

[Mommy4 five]

Everything you touch store has probably been touched with hand that have touched bread. Every shopping car. Your steering wheel. $ Yes. We need to be careful and wash our hands...but 100 times a day...

Have you ever considered OCD? It might explain the high stress you are feeling.

I hope you and hubby can have a talk and understand each other. You need him to be your biggest supporter. Not to alienate him so that he resents you.

[Maddi]

Sorry to intrude but I have one question. Is it true that I have to have a seperate sponge for dishwashing my plates?? Bc I've been eating at my bf's and be doesn't have a dishwasher.... and we wash the plates by hand...

[Seeking2012]

Sorry to intrude but I have one question. Is it true that I have to have a seperate sponge for dishwashing my plates?? Bc I've been eating at my bf's and be doesn't have a dishwasher.... and we wash the plates by hand...

 

Yes. I don't understand why everyone else seems so lax on their CC standards here. Why did I bother to even make this thread?

 

From Open Original Shared Link

 

 

– Use separate sponges for gluten and gluten-free dishes. Remember how I said that gluten is sticky (What happens when you mix flour and water? You get glue!)? It’ll stick to your sponge, especially if you’re cleaning out a bowl full of gluten-containing sticky pasta or something of that consistency. Then, if you were to use that same sponge on your gluten-free dish, you’ve wiped gluten all over that dish. I have a different-colored “gluten” sponge for these items, and the family knows to use that when they clean the few gluten-containing dishes that we sometimes use.

 

I also have different colored sponges. Mine are blue and hubby's are yellow.

[bartfull]

Yes, Maddi. Use a separate sponge.

 

As far as Seeking's contention that we are all lax about CC, she is wrong. Otherwise we who have been doing this for years would all be too sick to type. All that is needed is a little common sense and education. You can get that from MOST of us here.

[notme]

Yes, Maddi. Use a separate sponge.

 

As far as Seeking's contention that we are all lax about CC, she is wrong. Otherwise we who have been doing this for years would all be too sick to type. All that is needed is a little common sense and education. You can get that from MOST of us here.

 

true story.  also, bleach will not 'destroy the molecule' of gluten, you will just have sanitized gluten.  it may,, however, allow the gluten to be loosened easier to wash it away.  gluten can be destroyed but it's by heating it to, like 655 degrees or something.  soap and water is fine.  hand sanitizer, not so much.  some people wash their dishes by hand, separately, some people use the dishwasher (we use the dishwasher and our home is only *mostly* gluten free, so, sometimes ((GASP)) my husband loads gluteny dishes in with my gluten-free ones.  i have never been cc'd by the dishwasher)  if you live in the world, you have a chance of getting cc'd if you go around licking your hands, so, just wash them when you want to lick things or eat.  it took me a long time not to snap at my husband and stop accusing him of trying to poison me.  he must have felt terrible for as many times as i called him stupid  and he's been very patient with me.  i'm more relaxed about it (and practiced!) and i spend alot of time apologizing to him for my past (paranoid, but i didn't think so at the time...   ) sorry ass behavior.  deep breaths, all will be well  

[StephanieL]

"Of course not, but what if I touch the handle to pour my water, and THEN I touch my gluten-free waffles? I will then CC myself. Why is this so hard for everyone to grasp?"

 

 

 

 

Use a fork.  Or wash right before toughing the things you will be eating. 

 

My CHILD (read touches everything in sight) has Celiac as well as life threatening allergies to several things.  Meaning an exceedingly small amount can/has landed him in the hospital.  He has not ever had an issue here at home or while out and about with 300+ bread, cheese, yogurt, peanut butter, pizza, hot dog and hamburger eating kids at school who I can almost with 100% accuracy assure you do not wash up after they eat every time. This is NOT AT ALL to mean we are careless in any way with CC. I call manufactures and find out how things are made, on what lines and packaging details.  We have dedicated cookware and utensils.  We actually are 99% gluten-free and allergen free aside from several items DH and I keep out of sight from the kids for evening snacks. So we are very careful. In the circumstance you described I would remind DH he really should wash after eating (esp. in the home) and clean off the jug with soap, water and a paper towel. No reason to get into a disagreement about it.

[LauraTX]

Your husband appears to have some bad habits that can be disruptive and cause anxiety for you.  I understand both sides of this spat.  On one hand, the water that goes into your mouth definitely has not had gluten added to it.  On the other hand, the argument does expose the fact that he is not washing his hands immediately after consuming gluten and touching anything else in the house.  When you guys are cooled down and able to talk about it, I would suggest that you talk to him about a "best practice" of him better segregating gluten and gluten-contact items from other things in the house.  Have him always wash his hands before touching anything that isn't necessary for him to use while eating/prepping his food.  Also, on your end, since you do keep a shared kitchen, it is a best practice for you to wash your hands any time you are going to eat or put them in your mouth.  This may let you feel a little safer.

 

You may want to consider making your kitchen completely free of gluten.  This can help you eliminate the anxiety of having to deal with any of these issues.  Then, fights like these will be a non-issue.  While it may result in increased food costs with more people eating gluten-free, you may find that to be worth your sanity.  We eventually did that at my house, just us two adults, because it is just too much hassle for a shared kitchen and a sometimes careless gluten eater.

 

I would personally be more bothered by the germs on a phone getting into contact with food surfaces.  I regularly clean both our phones with alcohol swabs.  But I digress... lol.  To clean your water jug handle, just use soap and water and give it a good scrub in the sink.  Bleach will just make you have very clean gluten on a surface, it will not remove it.  Kind of like using hand sanitizer kills hand germs but leaves them dirty still (and also does not remove gluten).  Hot soapy bleach water may make you feel most at ease, and that is totally fine.  HEre is a good article that gives a good visual explanation of why you need to scrub surfaces with soap and water to remove gluten:  Open Original Shared Link   

[nonnarae]

I think my big issue with others touching or having gluten around my things is this:

 

 

This time I noticed that you moved and and such my water jug, but what if I don't notice? What if I become lax and then they become even less vigilant about handling my items? CC is serious and I certainly have no issues with washing my hands and taking precautions, but I also deserve some safe places where I can feel relaxed and not afraid of food. I doubt the issue is so much actually believing he made her sick this time, but more the idea he didn't think to wash his hands. In this instance not a huge deal, but in some it could be. I feel the discussion should possibly have just been about honey please remember to wash your hands before touching my "safe" items. 

 

My home is 100% gluten-free though so perhaps everyone thinks I am crazy too.