Is Rice Safe? Spices?

[Helena]

I know that Nupack (the company that processes the rice that I use a lot) also sells barley . . . I'm sure the same would be true of some other companies that package rice. Yet from what I've read on this board, people tend to feel that rice is safe. Is this because companies like Nupack process gluten-containing grains rather than gluten-containing flours?

Or maybe it is a concern and I just missed that discussion?

I'm kind of new to all of this, and I'm trying hard to be gluten free!

While I was looking through Shelley Case's book in the bookstore, I noticed that she considers plain spices (i.e. *not* spice mixes) to be safe. (anticaking agents are added and not declared on the packaging. theoretically gluten *could* be added. But she said she has never found a company that did add gluten.) Is she right? Has anyone ever been glutened by spices?

[4getgluten]

Helena – I’ve never heard of Nupack, so I’m not sure how helpful this will be. I eat rice all the time. I usually buy basmati rice and cook it over the stove. The ingredient on the package is just “white basmati rice”. I’ve also tried those microwavable packages of plain white rice. This was a lifesaver when we remodeled our kitchen. I had no problems with that rice either. I don’t remember what the ingredients were, but I only ate the plain white rice, never the rice w/ seasoning in it. I just wouldn’t take the chance. Anyhow, rice has always been safe for me, and I’ve never heard of any CC issues with plain, unseasoned rice.

As for seasonings, I only use McCormick. McCormick lists all ingredients and will clearly identify any gluten ingredients. When I go out to eat, I ask for my food dry/plain not seasoned with anything. I know it’s boring, but it works for me.

[Helena]

Anyhow, rice has always been safe for me, and I’ve never heard of any CC issues with plain, unseasoned rice.

That's a relief. I can't rely on my symptoms----I don't react to small amounts (i.e. in that type of rice milk with traces of barley protein). I do buy Lundberg rice sometimes . . . but I buy Nupack because it really cuts down on the grocery bills. I buy it in huge bags.

As for the spices, I have heard before the McCormick is reliable (and that Club House is the same company?). . . I do buy McCormick for some things . . . but for spices that I use *a lot* of (like cinnamon) I buy No Name (which is significantly cheaper). I might need to reevaluate that.

I've also read an article on:

Open Original Shared Link (I've inserted a link here)

They add absolutely nothing to their spices . . . it's a bit more expensive seeing as it is organic and all (A tin of cinnamon retails for 6.95 as I recall . . . but the tin looks about 2X as large as club house tins.) I bought some whole nutmeg there, but I hesitate to buy their ground spices . . . possible sesame seed contamination. I'd probably be okay, although I am allergic, but my sister might not be. It's always a hard call!