Biodegradable utensils and straws: are they celiac/gluten safe?

[monki]

Hi,

This my be dumb question, but living in California, many of our restaurants have switched to biodegradable utensils and straws when metal isn't an option.   I know they say they are made from all natural products.   Some say corn, some bamboo- but what else?  

I usually have a travel set with me from home, but sometimes it isn't an option.   What do I do?

[Scott Adams]

This is a good question, and we've done articles on this topic:

 

 

[Aaron2018]

I was just thinking the same thing as monki a few days ago:

 I work at a grocery store and at my work you can buy compostable silverware that is made from wheat protein and some are even made from wheat fibre , they look like wooden utensils but the packaging advertises wheat ingredients, wood is not even an ingredient. We even have plates and bowls made of wheat fibre and wheat protein. 
 

I have not used or purchased any of the products at my work that are made from wheat fibre and wheat protein , but I imagine it would gluten me if I did.

[Scott Adams]

That is interesting and I'd love to do an article on the wheat utricles...can you share the brand with us?

[Aaron2018]

At work we have EcoCenury wheat straw fibre forks and knifes, we also have greenlid 12 pack boxes that come with bowls, plates straws, forks and knives. only greenlids straws are made from wheat from what the box says, but the  Ecocenurys knives and forks are made from wheat.

[Scott Adams]

Technically wheat straw fiber is gluten-free, but I suppose it might be possible that kernels could get mixed into the straw during the process, but it seem like this would not be enough to trigger celiac disease, but I'll reach out to the companies to see what they say about their products.