Cross Contamination, Food Sharing

[Rogol72]

A bit of a rant coming here folks. People who do not have Coeliac Disease just do not get the seriousness of the condition or the importance of avoiding cross contamination. Maybe if their stomachs felt like they just ate a bag of glass and have to deal with all the unpleasant crap associated with getting glutened, the penny might drop!

Had a family wedding over a weekend recently and all went well for me regarding safe gluten-free food and drinks at the hotel and subsequent reception after the ceremony.
Some family stayed with me for a few days after the weekend, all was good in the home ... no CC issues and everyone observed the rules regarding gluten.

We went out to dinner one night at a local seafood restaurant. Fortunately, all the local restaurants of which there are many where I live, are excellent at catering for Coeliacs and I've never had any issues eating out at these restaurants. One family member shared a piece of their entrée with me placing it on my side plate. Naturally enough I didn't touch it. Before I knew it my fish entrée was ambushed by said family member's fork wanting a little taste. This has happened several times before, at family dinners in restaurants. Luckily I was not CC'd or glutened as I didn't have a reaction. But it did put a downer on the rest of my evening.

Last time this happened, I had the diplomatic conversation afterwards regarding CC and food sharing with this family member. 

This makes my blood boil, I want to relax and have good conversation over a nice dinner with family rather than be on alert or sit at the end of the table to stay safe ... now I have to have the CC conversation all over again!! Gluten free Menu options for Coeliacs at restaurants are limited enough without having to deal with this crap!

Have any of you been in this situation?

[Beacon60]

I just had this very issue at dinner last Friday.  I was at a table of 8 at an Italian night event.  The chef served me and another celiac gluten-free food that he had prepared specifically for us and even had tongs for us alone for more of the food.  The rest of the food, to be passed family style was just put on the table.  Well you can imagine what happened.  Our tongs got used by others and our food got passed.  Also, when people saw us being served they wanted to know all about celiac.  Is anyone tired of have an entire dinner conversation revolve around your celiac experience?  I am.  Anyway, both of us got glutened and even after the chef had gone to such lengths to protect us, all because the other diners did not understand that contamination is such a big issue.

[patty-maguire]

Wow, I'm so sorry you experienced this.

Yes the dinner conversations get tiresome and awkward.  Especially the "so what happens if you eat gluten" question.  Really? Over dinner?  I usually just say "it's not dinner conversation", laugh and change the subject.

[Scott Adams]

Celiac.com has published a book on our site by Jean Duane PhD called Gluten-Centric Culture, which covers many of the social aspects of having celiac disease:

This chapter in particular covers issues around eating with family and others - Gluten-Centric Culture: Chapter 5 - Grabbing A Bite Together:

 

[Sobiha]

I was 'glutened' yesterday. The only thing I could think if was that my partner cooked breakfast for ourselves and my grandaughter.  Although he placed my food on a separate food tray he cooked it all together in our fan assisted oven. None of the food was covered and included sausages and black pudding.  I had stomach pain and vomiting later on in the evening. In future I think we shall have to be a lot more careful about cross contamination in the kitchen.

[Scott Adams]

@Sobiha this is a very common story. I'm not sure how closely you watched all of the preparation of the dishes, but it's also possible that things got cross-contaminated even before the dishes were put in the oven.

[Sobiha]

11 hours ago, Scott Adams said:

@Sobiha this is a very common story. I'm not sure how closely you watched all of the preparation of the dishes, but it's also possible that things got cross-contaminated even before the dishes were put in the oven.

Yes, its very difficult Scott. Ideally we should aim for a gluten free kitchen. Although we are very careful cross contamination still happens.