lentils

[scrappy mom]

I am having trouble finding lentils that are not cross contaminated with gluten. Is there a brand or webiste you could recommend?

[Scott Adams]

Anything could be cross contaminated, but I've not heard of issues with lentils. Can you tell me how you know they are contaminated? It seems like a good visual inspection and washing should eliminate any issues, but certainly finding a source that is guaranteed to be safe would be the best way to go.

[cyclinglady]

The Gluten Free Watchdog has reported a few problems with lentils.  I would be care about buying processed foods that contain lentils or those that have been mechanically sorted even if certified.  

https://www.glutenfreewatchdog.org/news/general-product-warning-check-your-lentils-including-certified-gluten-free-lentils-for-foreign-grain/

But I am with Scott.  Just buy them, sort them on a cookie sheet and wash carefully.  In the old days (and still today), all raw agricultural (USDA) legumes were allowed a certain percentage of “things”.  Sticks and rocks were often found in bean, pea and lentil bags.  My mom made us sort them.  It was one of our chores.  We did it (and complained), but who likes to eat rocks?  

[scrappy mom]

my husband found out he is allergic to gluten so i am learning to cook and buy gluten free items. I would like to buy lentils but every brand that i have read the label for says either may contain or made in a facility that handles wheat. He doesn't want me to buy any of these products with may contain or made in warnings. Should I be concerned about this?  Are there any companies you are familiar with that are truly gluten free without these warnings (especially in regards to lentils)

[cyclinglady]

 

I know of no brand that is certified gluten free that is safe.  Did you see my link to the Gluten Free Watch Dog’s website?  I’d you do not like clicking on links, then consider just googling it.  The problem is that legumes are mechanically sorted.  Worse is that lentils (unlike chickpeas or pinto beans) are small. Like wheat pieces.  It is really hard to mechanically sort lentils and still be able to weed out wheat kernels.  Companies put those statements on their packaging, but they want to avoid lawsuits.  It is nice that they are giving us a heads up in my opinion.  

So, do I as I recommmended.  Get a cookie sheet and dump some lentils on it.  Push the lentils to one side looking for anything that is not a lentil.  Wheat is like rice (oblong).  It is definitely different from  lentils.  Then dump the good side into the colander and wash and rub well.  Then cook or soak lentils as directed by the recipe.  

Visually sorting the beans is going to be better than a machine.  

If you still have doubts, make the soup for you and make something else for hubby that he feels safe to consume.  Sometimes piece of mind is the best thing and can help in healing.  

P.S. legumes can be hard to digest.  They can create a lot of gas.  It might be better to skip legumes for a few weeks until his gut has a chance to heal a bit more.  

Edited May 25, 2020 by cyclinglady

[Gloria L]

@cyclingladyhi, what brand of lentils can you please recommend me? thank you.