Cross-contamination?

[AliceW]

Hi everyone,

I have been making my best efforts at being gluten-free since mid-december, and for the most part I've done very well, I think. I haven't knowingly eaten anything containing gluten since the first day or two day of my diet, but it was a bit rough through the holidays...meals at my parents' house, who were supportive but clueless, so I'm sure there must have been some CC issues.

So now that the holidays are over I'm trying to get SUPER serious about stamping out all gluten from my diet. I'm baking my own gluten-free bread, eating only certified gluten-free cereals, and preparing all my own food from scratch. I even bought gluten-free skin care products (although I'm not going so far as to worry about my hair gel...I feel that it's safe to just wash my hands after applying it...I generally try hard to keep my hands away from my mouth just for general germ avoidance, so I don't think it will be a problem at other times). I also checked on my drugs and vitamins.

I do have a question you guys, though...what about spices and teas? I drink a lot of herbal teas and use a lot of spices in cooking. I always check the ingredients list for anything that looks suspicious, but is that enough to be sure they're safe? Also, are there any other obvious CC issues I should be aware of?

Thanks everyone for any info you can give!

Alice

[Viola 1]

You need to check the herbal teas. I have found both toasted wheat germ and barley in teas. So, check labels.

Some mixed spices 'could' contain gluten. Although there are several that are gluten free. McCormick makes gluten free spices and will list anything that isn't. Don't buy spices from bulk bins. In fact ... don't buy anything from bulk bins unless the store is strictly gluten free.

Hope this helps

[Viola 1]

Oops ... I'm being really rude today!

WELCOME TO THE BOARD!!!

[happygirl]

Alice,

By law, pure spices (i.e., thyme, rosemary, oregano) have only one ingredient in them-the spice. They are safe.

Of course, it is different with spice/seasoning packets, which like any product, can have gluten. Same with teas. Shirley's above advice is correct!

Good luck-happy to hear you are doing well on the diet.

Laura

[jerseyangel]

I have had reactions from teas made in a facility with gluten. I now only use Stash Teas--they do not use any gluten at all in any of their teas.

As far as spices and extracts, McCormick will list any gluten. I use those exclusively, and have not had any problems.

Welcome, Alice!

[annacsmom]

Hi and welcome

We recently visited the Celestial Seasonings factory where they actually make all of their teas, and I asked the woman in the gift shop about gluten in their teas. She came back with a list of all of their teas that contained gluten. You can probable contact them on their website. Just google it. Considering the huge variety of teas that they make, there are hardly any that contain gluten.

Hope this helps

[Helena]

Alice,

By law, pure spices (i.e., thyme, rosemary, oregano) have only one ingredient in them-the spice. They are safe.

Of course, it is different with spice/seasoning packets, which like any product, can have gluten. Same with teas. Shirley's above advice is correct!

Good luck-happy to hear you are doing well on the diet.

Laura

My understanding is that spices--even pure spices--may have anticaking agents added which don't have to be added to the label. Theoretically, gluten could be used. I haven't actually purchased Shelly Case's book on celiac disease, but I thumbed through it in a bookstore, and I'm pretty sure she addresses this issue----if I'm remembering correctly she said that she has never actually found a spice company that uses gluten in pure spices.

re: the cross contamination issue. This is something I've been wondering about myself. I called a few companies---I feel most comfortable with McCormick's/Club House. Club house (a division of McCormicks) *does* process gluten-containing products in the same factory as the pure spices. But they put heavy curtains around the gluteny area to minimize cross contamination (cross-contamination is still a possibility, however.) McCormicks gourmet spices are gluten free---there is no gluten in the factory at all.

I wouldn't be comfortable with Celestial Seasonings just because they are made by Hain Celestial and this company has a very bad reputation in the allergy community for their labelling practices (cross contamination is a major issue.) Some of their teas (i.e. vanilla hazelnut) do contain gluten . . . so I wouldn't trust them. (This point aside, I don't use anything with "natural flavourings" because that usually means soy or corn. So most of their tea is out for me anyhow.)

[missy'smom]

The Republic of Tea has a list of their teas that are gluten-free. I'm dissapointed to read about Celestial Seasonings but I drink their cammomile tea and haven't had any problems.

[lorka150]

I am very sensitive, and have always enjoyed Celestial Seasonings teas without an issue.

Regarding spices, we use McCormick's and an organic brand from Montreal (sorry, I forget the name). I have had a problem with Simply Organic, who do not use dedicated lines (last time I called).

[Helena]

I'd trust Lorka on the Celestial Seasonings issue, then . . . I don't drink their teas and am not sure how sensitive I am . . .

[ravenwoodglass]

I was gotten really bad once by a licorice tea so I have become very cautious about tea. Celestial Seasonings will label their gluten-free teas, don't buy one that doesn't have the words gluten free and you should be okay. My favorite is the Original India Spice. Go with McCormicks for your spices..