New Thought On Hidden Gluten

[Noel1965]

Hi Everyone! I very rarely eat out since diagnoses however on occasion I will for the social aspect. I usually have a salad with oil and vinegar. The other day I ordered my salad explaining I only wanted vegetables and some cheese (I can handle cheese). About half way through eating this I noticed that the cheese looked a little "white". A memory from my waitressing days came back to me - I think restaraunts sprinkle flour on their shredded cheese so that it does not clump together and it is easier to "sprinkle". I am not positive in this thought but thought I would pass it along just in case.

[kristi]

Many eating establishments use pre-shredded cheese which it comes with a very common additive, Cellulose (usually not gluten) which is used to coat shedded cheese to prevent clumping and is white in color. When in doubt, check it out though. Most are safe.

[elonwy]

My gotcha in a restaurant with cheese was a cheese and fruit plate, with sliced cheese. They used the same knife and cutting board to cut the cheese as they had the bread for someone else. Granted, tiny restaurant, but something to think about. I've never had issues with shredded cheese.

[lovegrov]

Cellulose is commonly used to prevent clumping, not wheat flour. Can you imagine how gross the cheese would taste if restaurants sprinkled flour on the cheese? And how it would clump up when it came in contact with moisture?

richard

[VegasCeliacBuckeye]

Me thinkith Richard is "over" the cellulose/flour/shredded cheese discussion.

LOL

[astyanax]

so is it ok to order at a restaurant? or should you ask them if they know if flour has been added?

[VegasCeliacBuckeye]

I have never encountered a shredded cheese with gluten in it...

[tiffjake]

I have never encountered a shredded cheese with gluten in it...

Me either. And if you check the back of a bag of shredded cheese, say, Walmart brand, some say "Potato Starch:to prevent caking" or something to that effect. I think they use other starches because of wheat allergies.

[penguin]

Me neither. It's always corn, potato, or cellulose.

Wheat flour MUST BE COOKED before consuming. Also, gluten is very sticky when moist, which would defeat the purpose of dusting shredded cheese to keep it from clumping together.

[katrinamaria]

i may seem like the idiot after all these posts, but the dietition here at my school said not to eat the shredded cheese in the dining center because they have had problems with it in the gluten dept. also i ate at a restaurant in chicago (which was very accomodating) but the waiter did tell me they used flour on their cheese (he opened a new bag for me tho... lol ) so i dunno.... just my experiences.

[Mtndog]

i may seem like the idiot after all these posts, but the dietition here at my school said not to eat the shredded cheese in the dining center because they have had problems with it in the gluten dept. also i ate at a restaurant in chicago (which was very accomodating) but the waiter did tell me they used flour on their cheese (he opened a new bag for me tho... lol ) so i dunno.... just my experiences.

Well- it just goes to show....you never know!

[kristi]

NEW THOUGHT on mold inhibitors:

I was so suspicious of every food item while I've been

sick lately that I have been looking into every label with

all the extra time I've had lately being in pain! It is amazing

how feeling crappy inspires one.

The name "natamycin" on several

shredded cheese ingredient lists as a "natural mold

inhibitor" soundly suspiciously like the spelling of

some of the antibiotics I have been trying to do

research on. I've gotten some very bad reactions from

antibiotics lately. With some research I have found my surprise

yes, it "is" an additive not allowed in Canada and is an

"antibiotic anti fungal" originally used by

veterinarians for getting rid of ringworm on cattle

and horses and used in pharmaceuticals to get rid of

eye infections before used in America to spray on

cheese so they can sell this new trend of

shredded cheese that won't mold very easy with a long shelf life.

Yuck. No studies yet if it

can be passed through breast milk, blah, blah, blah. I

can't believe they don't have to label that. I know

it is in small doses but if your body isn't working

right to begin with I'm sure that isn't helping as

things get absorbed in the intestines. They claim in

rats that only 5-7% is actually absorbed in the small

intestine and 90% passes through the bowels.

[Lymetoo]

With some research I have found my surprise

yes, it "is" an additive not allowed in Canada and is an

"antibiotic anti fungal" originally used by

veterinarians for getting rid of ringworm on cattle

and horses and used in pharmaceuticals to get rid of

eye infections before used in America to spray on

cheese so they can sell this new trend of

shredded cheese that won't mold very easy with a long shelf life.

Yuck.

Yes, the American manufacturers got it passed by saying it will help prevent Listeria infections. I believe they have added this to lunchmeats also!!

[zansu]

i may seem like the idiot after all these posts, but the dietition here at my school said not to eat the shredded cheese in the dining center because they have had problems with it in the gluten dept. also i ate at a restaurant in chicago (which was very accomodating) but the waiter did tell me they used flour on their cheese (he opened a new bag for me tho... lol ) so i dunno.... just my experiences.

my cafeteria lady said that the shredded mozzerella specifically said it contained gluten. I didn't get to read it, but on that one, I'm going to trust her.