So What Do You Do When Products "may Contain Traces" Of Wheat?

[mamatide]

I am on a quest to find weiners that are both gluten and soy free (two dd's, two intolerances!). I found President's Choice weiners and the basic ingredients are fine but there is bolded disclaimer at the end that says "may contain traces of wheat and soy" on it.

I called the company and they say that the ingredients in the weiners do not contain wheat/soy however they are produced on the same line as other products that DO. They clean the lines in between batches.

So do you avoid them? What do you do? For the soy, well, I just let DD (the non-celiac) eat it and see if she gets an itchy mouth. For the wheat, however, it seems that my celiac 5yo DD is always experiencing some minor achiness in her belly (3 mos gluten-free Diet complete) which I think is because she doesn't know what benign aches/pains feel like - for instance if she eats a lot of food, she has a "sore" belly - but it's neither bloated nor excruciating like it was when she was on gluten.

So short story is it's hard to tell with her. Then again, when a kid stuck her play-doh laden finger into my Celiac dd's mouth, she suffered for 2 days or more with soupy-poopy (her words!) and cramps.

Argh. Getting back to the question - do you avoid if it says "may contain traces of XXX"?

TIA...

[Mango04]

This is just my opinion (everyone has their own comfort levels with the "may contain traces" warning):

If your daughter is constantly experiencing aches in her belly, I would definitely avoid that product, at least for now. Based on the play dough reaction, it sounds like she's currently very sensitive. It just might not be worth the risk, especially since she's only been gluten-free three months. If a Celiac truly finds the right diet for them (which may include avoiding other foods), they shouldn't have to experience stomach pains all the time (even minor ones). Also, since she's only been gluten-free for three months, she's probably still healing, and the risk of trace amounts of gluten setting her back might not be worth it (traces may not cause blatant symptoms but could still cause damage).

That's just my take. I like to aviod stuff that says "may contain traces." It's not worth the risk for me.

[Guest cassidy]

I avoid products that may contain traces of wheat. It just isn't worth getting sick.

You are talking about hot dogs. I realize they taste good, however someone can live their entire life without a hot dog and be ok. If that trace of wheat causes her to have damage that takes 6 months to heal, I think she would appreciate not being served the hot dog. When she is old enough to understand if she eats something that may contain wheat she may get sick, then it can be her choice, but now, I don't think you should chance it over hot dogs.

Also you talked about her stomach hurting but not severe like glutening. My stomach still hurts a lot when I eat safe foods and I've been gluten-free for 6 months. Sometimes two weeks after I've been glutened it still hurts to eat some safe food. So, I realize that it may be hard to determine what kids are feeling, but if she doesn't exagerate, then her stomach probably hurts from what she is eating regardless of it being gluten-free. I also don't have the same intestinal symptoms every time I'm glutened, so it may be the same with her.

[mamatide]

I avoid products that may contain traces of wheat. It just isn't worth getting sick.

You are talking about hot dogs. I realize they taste good, however someone can live their entire life without a hot dog and be ok. If that trace of wheat causes her to have damage that takes 6 months to heal, I think she would appreciate not being served the hot dog. When she is old enough to understand if she eats something that may contain wheat she may get sick, then it can be her choice, but now, I don't think you should chance it over hot dogs.

I realize we can live quite nicely without hot dogs. In fact we eat them only rarely. It's the principle of "may contain traces" that I am asking about. Would you treat something differently if it said "may have come into contact with XXX" or "produced in a facility that also handles XXX"? Where do you draw the line? Does it have to say "gluten free" on the package? Do you have to have the personal assurance of the company?

I'm not taking a chance with my child's health and I don't appreciate the suggestion that I am for the sake of a wiener. We've all adjusted our diets because of her new diet. But we all delight in the things that are old stand-bys that we can still eat despite our familial multiple allergies (and there are many) and sensitivities and now gluten intolerance/possible celiac disease.

So if I can find a hot dog that we can all enjoy then I'm going to eat them. It's just one of many many many many things we've had to adjust in the last 12 weeks. We all have had to make changes.

Feeling frustrated here.

[jerseyangel]

This is all very frusterating Personally, I avoid products that say may contain traces...I do, however, use a few products that are made on shared lines. This is an area where some may get a reaction, but not others. For instance, I eat Lay's Natural Ruffles all the time. Others can't tolerate Lay's products made on shared lines. I get reactions from a number of Whole Foods 365 Brand products--others are ok with them. If you read the label/call the company, and think it's worth a try, then go for it--that's the only way to really know if your child will be ok with it. Have you checked into Oscar Mayer? I know they will not hide any gluten ingredients--I'm sure it's the same with soy. I eat their bacon, and am fine with it. I have my own little list of companies that are "safe" for me--I mostly stick to whole foods, but I completely agree that sometimes you gotta have that comfort food. I know you'll be able to find a hot dog that will be safe for daughter

Did you see this--

https://www.celiac.com/catalog/product_info...products_id=550

[penguin]

For the "same facility" question, usually for me it depends on the company. Kraft, unilever, general mills, hormel, mccormick...I trust those. If I see a facility statement I assume they've triple washed and taken precaution and that policy has served me well. I don't trust, however, products that say gluten-free and have a facility statement, those have consistently glutened me! I've been glutened more times by "gluten-free" foods than by mainstream!

There is nothing wrong with wanting a hot dog, especially around the 4th of July. Have you looked into Ballpark franks? I'm 98% sure they're on the clan thompson list, though my palm is dead right now and I can't check. I looked at the ingredients online and didn't see any gluten or soy. They have to list it now because of the law (with wheat and soy, anyway). Sara Lee makes those and they clearly list gluten.

President's Choice may just have that statement as a CYA thing since the new law. You may want to call the company and ask for specifics.

EDIT: Whoops, re-read your post! Good for you for calling the company! I'm not sure what kind of call I'd make there, but since they're hot dogs and not say, cookies, I'm guessing they'd be alright.

[2Boys4Me]

I won't buy anything that says "may contain traces of wheat", but I will buy things that say "made in the same facility as products made with wheat".

I can't find any info online, but Mitchell's will clearly list gluten, and so will their subsidiary Olympic. You're in Canada, right? Or am I mistaking you for someone else? The brand of hot dogs we use are gluten-free, but they contain soy.

[Guest nini]

I would say that it would depend on how comfortable you are with the response you got from the company. There are some companies that I will trust and others that I won't, and it is all subject to the way I feel they handled the explanation on the phone.

I personally prefer Applegate Farms hot dogs, I don't know if they contain soy as I don't avoid that (yet)... but since they label their hot dogs as gluten-free, I don't mind spending the extra bucks...

[Mango04]

Here's a link to applegate farms info:

Open Original Shared Link

I looked b/c I was curious. Turns out they have hot dog info. on their home page . It appears to be soy-free.

[Green12]

Here's a link to applegate farms info:

Open Original Shared Link

I looked b/c I was curious. Turns out they have hot dog info. on their home page . It appears to be soy-free.

This is what I buy, the Applegate Turkey Hotdogs. I think they are great. And my nieces have always eaten these and they love them.

A hotdog does sound good about now for 4th of July, I wonder why that is

[Guest cassidy]

I'm not taking a chance with my child's health and I don't appreciate the suggestion that I am for the sake of a wiener. We've all adjusted our diets because of her new diet. But we all delight in the things that are old stand-bys that we can still eat despite our familial multiple allergies (and there are many) and sensitivities and now gluten intolerance/possible celiac disease.

You obviously aren't taking chances with your child's health because you are asking about this. Taking a chance would be not asking or considering it and just feeding it to them. I certainly didn't mean to imply that. My point was simply to try to put it in perspective. To most people a hot dog is not worth getting sick and the risk of "may contain traces" isn't worth it either. I wouldn't eat something like that if it was a hot dog or a vegetable.

[lorka150]

Just so you know, other than their soda, I've had huge problems with everything I've had President's Choice.

[KaitiUSA]

If it is made on the same lines as wheat but cleaned in between, I usually will eat it and have only really had a problem with one brand..most have been safe when it comes to that(and I am sensitive) However, that is a personal decision to make.

But if it says may contain traces of wheat I am less likely to even give it a try.

[skoki-mom]

I won't buy anything that says "may contain traces of wheat", but I will buy things that say "made in the same facility as products made with wheat".

I can't find any info online, but Mitchell's will clearly list gluten, and so will their subsidiary Olympic. You're in Canada, right? Or am I mistaking you for someone else? The brand of hot dogs we use are gluten-free, but they contain soy.

Hi, I'm just wondering what wieners you buy. I've never seen Oscar Mayer in any store in Calgary, and I'm really not interested in spending a fortune on organic wieners. I buy all-beef wieners for my kids, but they have the "may contain" on the package (Schneiders, I think, or maybe Maple Leaf). Anyhow, we are going camping in a couple of weeks and I'd sure like to have a wiener to cook over the campfire, even if I have to eat it without the bun.

[lorka150]

hey skoki_mom,

pillars meats are mostly gluten-free. they make turkey sausage (among pork sausage, too), that my mom loves. they are gluten/dairy/ and most other allergen free. they are a canadian company.

[2Boys4Me]

Hi, I'm just wondering what wieners you buy. I've never seen Oscar Mayer in any store in Calgary, and I'm really not interested in spending a fortune on organic wieners. I buy all-beef wieners for my kids, but they have the "may contain" on the package (Schneiders, I think, or maybe Maple Leaf). Anyhow, we are going camping in a couple of weeks and I'd sure like to have a wiener to cook over the campfire, even if I have to eat it without the bun.

We use the Maple Leaf Top Dog all beef hot dogs. Schneiders has a may contain disclaimer. If you buy Maple Leaf get them from Walmart or Superstore, and check the coupon board at Superstore. They are beastly expensive for hot dogs...over $5 for 12. (Maybe I'm just cheap. )

[mamatide]

We use the Maple Leaf Top Dog all beef hot dogs. Schneiders has a may contain disclaimer. If you buy Maple Leaf get them from Walmart or Superstore, and check the coupon board at Superstore. They are beastly expensive for hot dogs...over $5 for 12. (Maybe I'm just cheap. )

Unfortunately it's the Maple Leaf Top Dogs that bother my other (soy sensitive) dd. They drive her to the point of needing benadryl to stop the itchiness in her mouth/throat so that can't be good. So that's why we're trying to find something that we can all eat (no gluten, no soy).

The President's Choice has no wheat (nor gluten) listed as an ingredient, and likewise no soy listed as an ingredient. They don't make my soy sensitive dd have an itchy mouth, but I'm not sure it I want to risk my very gluten-sensitive girl's good health on them with a "may contain traces" warning. She's just doing so well gluten-free these days.

What we'll do for now is grill them both on the same grill (don't tell me I have to worry about cc from the President's Choice wieners or I think I'll scream!!!) and keep them straight - they actually look very different.

Unfortunately, the PC ones don't taste that good IMO. I like Schneiders. DD (the soy one) prefers them too, but they also won't say that they're gluten free! PC does have sausages that don't contain toasted wheat crumbs that are pretty good - and make an even better substitute for weiners anyway I guess.

Argh!

If anyone in Canada comes across a soy-free and gluten-free hot dog please let me know!!!

Maybe we'll just stick to burgers - if only I could find a decent gluten-free hamburger bun!

Thanks all for your input. I really do appreciate it.

mamatide

ETA that the Maple Leaf Top Dogs in a cup with a little fork and ketchup for dipping sauce is great for my gluten-free daughter = with all the other kids bringing lunchables to school she can feel like she has a fun lunch once in a while as well. Also much cheaper at WalMart than Superstore/Loblaws

[lorka150]

Butterball turkey dogs are available in Canada, and those are gluten-free. I've never tried them, as I do not like hot dogs, but they might be close. Open Original Shared Link

I looked them up for you, and there is no soy in them.

[2Boys4Me]

Mamatide - I knew that the Top Dogs were no good for you and your daughters, I was actually replying to Skoki Mom who was looking for plain gluten-free hot dogs. Sorry about the confusion!

[Rusla]

If anything says "may contain traces of wheat or gluten" or if it says it is made in a facility that makes wheat or gluten products, I will not touch them. It takes very little to make me sick. As for hot dogs, I have always hated them.

[scrunt]

I won't buy anything that says "may contain traces of wheat", but I will buy things that say "made in the same facility as products made with wheat".

I can't find any info online, but Mitchell's will clearly list gluten, and so will their subsidiary Olympic. You're in Canada, right? Or am I mistaking you for someone else? The brand of hot dogs we use are gluten-free, but they contain soy.

I won't buy anything that is made in a similar facility with wheat or gluten products, and I will go nowhere near anything that has traces of wheat. I am rarely eating any products that are packaged, and my spices in my house are now entirely whole, or bought from places where I know they are gluten-free. I just can't gamble with this anymore. I've spent my whole life figuring out what my diagnosis is and to screw it up for the sake of eating "normal" food is a waste of my time. This is working as it is now, I'm sticking with it. If I have to eat raw apples and carrots and that's it - and I have to eat that for the rest of my life - I'm going to because I've got other things to do in my life other than eat.

My folks are both on gluten-free diets, my mom because she has to and my dad because he is allergic to wheat. Well, they fudge around with it all the time, buying prepared/ cooked chickens with spices on it, not reading ingredient lists carefully (and then not returning the products when they find they have gluten or a possibility of gluten in them) and then they complain of still having symptoms. I have little patience for this with my folks, and I really don't understand others who do this either.

You almost have to get over the kind of eating that you had previously. You won't find a good bread substitute and there are foods that you won't be able to eat ever again. You can make a great hamburger platter, and have lots of salad, and homemade french fries. To me that sounds better, and is probably prepared in the same amount of time. It all takes getting used to, but it is so worth it in the end to know you have prolonged and sustained health.

/rant

[mamatide]

Butterball turkey dogs are available in Canada, and those are gluten-free. I've never tried them, as I do not like hot dogs, but they might be close. Open Original Shared Link

I looked them up for you, and there is no soy in them.

Great! Thanks - I've seen these in the store - I'll give them a try.

mamatide