Gluten In Envelopes

[BamBam]

I've licked two envelopes this past week and have been having some problems. What are the chances of gluten being in the glue?

BamBam

[lovegrov]

I certainly can't say the chances are zero, but they are very, very slim.

richard

[lizzy]

hi i was told by my celiac support group that envolopes do have gluten in the glue and not to lick them and i have noticed when i do lick them by accident i have a reaction to it

[luvs2eat]

I stopped licking envelopes when I read the medical article about the person who got the tinest paper cut when licking an envelope and there were eggs on the glue and an insect of some sort (roach??) started growing in his lip!! Blech!!

[jerseyangel]

It is my understanding that the different paper companies will buy whatever adhesive is the cheapest. To me, that means that you never know--I never lick envelopes anymore. Either my husband does it, or I use a damp paper towel.

[lovegrov]

This one has been researched by more than one person. No U.S. manufacturer uses wheat glue (even if they DID just use the cheapest thing, that's not wheat). I don't think anybody's researched every foreign manufacturer, but this one is considered almost a celiac urban legend. A search of the St. John's list will turn up responses confirming this.

While gluten in envelope glue is very unlikely, but most manufacturers suggest that everybody use a wet sponge instead of licking.

richard

[Guest nini]

I bought one of those sponge stamp thingies... I won't lick it anyway, nasty stuff...

[kabowman]

I used tape until I was able to replace all the envelopes I use at home AND at work with the ones that have the peel and stick. I also don't lick stamps - only sticker style will do.

[celiachap]

On the "Seinfeld" show George's fiance, Susan, died suddenly from licking the glue on the cheap envelopes that he (George) bought for their wedding invitations. I never expected, when I first saw that episode, that I would someday avoid licking evelopes and stamps due to health concerns!

[jerseyangel]

celiachap--I thought the same thing! My husband and I love the Seinfeld reruns.