Need to rant - restaurant gave me gluten cake

[Grace782617274]

Hey,

I really just need to rant about being glutenated recently as most people don’t understand how upsetting it is.

I was recently diagnosed with coeliac in January (had coeliac symptoms 4 years prior to this). By the time I was diagnosed I was extremely ill with fatigue, heart problems and malnutrition. In the past 6 months I have been extremely careful with my gluten free diet and cross contamination.

I went with family to a cafe today and asked if they had any gluten free cakes. They assured me they did, and checked the labels of the cakes and told me they had one specific one that was suitable. After confirming it was safe for me to eat another two times and enquiring about cross contamination I assumed it was fine. After having around two/three bites my boyfriend questioned why it had crumbled biscuit on top (something I had completely overlooked because I assumed it was fine with them confirming it was gluten free). 

After asking the waiter if she could confirm it was safe to eat, she told me it was definitely gluten free and showed me the label which clearly stated it had wheat in it. Instead of apologising she kept on just saying it didn’t mention gluten anywhere, and I understand it’s the restaurants fault for insufficient training, but I just felt so upset and uncomfortable. The restaurant did not apologise at all, did not ask if I was okay, and also claimed they could not give me a refund. 

I feel silly for feeling so upset and anxious that they gave me gluten as I’ve tried so hard with the gluten free diet and cross contamination since diagnosis and the restaurant staff did not care nor were apologetic at all. I’ve worried about it all day but I don’t want to complain to family anymore as they don’t quite understand how upsetting it can feel. It just feels like people do not understand that it is a serious medical condition and can make us really ill  I already find it hard as I’m 21 and I’m unable to eat at most restaurants with my friends and now a supposedly safe restaurant has given me the wrong food.
 

Sorry for the long rant I just needed to talk to people who understand what it feels like.

[RMJ]

I would be furious if this happened to me.  Good for your boyfriend in noticing something that might contain gluten! It sounds like you have his support.

[knitty kitty]

Hi, @Grace782617274,

I've had a similar experience where I was assured by the restaurant manager they could provide a gluten free meal, and promptly served me a salad with croutons.  Heavy sigh.  

Take it as a lesson learned.  The majority of people out there are probably clueless about what's in their food, never mind yours. 

Ask for wheat free and gluten free.  Explain gluten is in wheat.  Educate wherever you go. 

Two thumbs up for the alert boyfriend!