Jump to content

  • Welcome to Celiac.com!

    You have found your celiac tribe! Join us and ask questions in our forum, share your story, and connect with others.



  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A1):

    Celiac.com Sponsor (A1-M):

  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Our Content
    eNewsletter
    Donate

Cross Contamination At Home.. How Does It Happen?

Harrisgirl

Recommended Posts

Harrisgirl Newbie
Harrisgirl
Posted

I was diagnosed with Celiac about two weeks ago. Am I supposed to get seperate forks, spoons,pots and pans? I am the only one in the house with this. What about the food pantry and fridge? Any suggestions or explanations would be great. I have lots of books here to read but it is all a bit overwhelming.I thought joining this forum would be a better way to start off.

Thanks

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


HAK1031 Enthusiast
HAK1031
Posted

Separate wooden spoons, colanders, cutting boards, and cooking utensils, ie whisks, spatulas, etc. are probably a good idea. Don't share the toaster, and cover cookie sheets carefully with foil or parchment. I have my own shelf in the pantry and drawer in the freezer, but that's more for organization than anything else. If stuff is properly bagged/covered, and you family doesn't touch your safe food with gluteny hands, you should be ok.

I don't share any on the common snacks, even if they are gluten-free, because I periodically watch my dad eating a sandwich and sticking his hand in the chips at the same time. Last night we had a special dinner because my stepsister came home, and there was ciabatta bread involved...can you say crumbs?!? So I made everyone wash their hands like mad. There was only one potentially dangerous incident. My stepmother was putting the bread in the oven at the same time whe was taking a tray of crab legs out, and I actually saw crumbs fall onto that tray. Luckily there was another tray that had already been taken out of the oven.

also watch out for dishcloths, sponges, etc.

Harrisgirl Newbie
Harrisgirl
Posted
  • Author

Thank you SO much that really helped! I read it aloud to my husband. ;)

HAK1031 Enthusiast
HAK1031
Posted

glad to help :)

Lisa Mentor
Lisa
Posted

Welcome!

Here is some start up information:

Open Original Shared Link

Here is a list of companies who will clearly list all forms of gluten. It makes it so much easier to shop:

Open Original Shared Link

kenlove Rising Star
kenlove
Posted

When I was diagnosed almost two years ago it took some time to figure out what we could and couldnt share.

Since then we've had to go almost all gluten free. Other things to watch out for are shared jars of condiments.

Peanut butter, mayo, jelly etc. You don't want to have anything that a knife which just spread something on bread was in the jar.

One of the odd ones that got me was paying bills --literally made me sick.. The gluten in the glue on the envelops.

It takes time to figure it all out but gets much easier in time. The hardest part for us is still eating out.

Good uck

Ken

I was diagnosed with Celiac about two weeks ago. Am I supposed to get seperate forks, spoons,pots and pans? I am the only one in the house with this. What about the food pantry and fridge? Any suggestions or explanations would be great. I have lots of books here to read but it is all a bit overwhelming.I thought joining this forum would be a better way to start off.

Thanks

  • 2 weeks later...
GlutenGalAZ Enthusiast
GlutenGalAZ
Posted

I organized the pantry where I have my gluten free items on a shelf and my husband has his gluten foods on another then a shelf with shared foods that we both like that are gluten free.

We each have our own peanut butter and tub of butter (I put stickers sometimes on the ones that are mine or a big G F). He makes his sandwhiches on a counter that I never use and then cleans it off. Chip bags we put what we want on our plate so gluten fingers do not get crumbs in the bag.

In the refrigerator and freezer I have a shelf that is dedicated to gluten free items then the rest of the shelfs are up for the taking (also do it this way so I can see easily if I am running low on one of my gluten free items) :)

Here are some links that may help with some things:

Open Original Shared Link

Open Original Shared Link

Open Original Shared Link

Open Original Shared Link (this one has skin and body items that are gluten free -- left side of page)

Best of luck :D

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


home-based-mom Contributor
home-based-mom
Posted
One of the odd ones that got me was paying bills --literally made me sick.. The gluten in the glue on the envelops.

Ken

After reading this totally false urban legend, you will never again forget that "GLUE STICKS ARE YOUR FRIEND!"

:lol::lol::lol::lol::lol:

Open Original Shared Link :ph34r:

  • 4 weeks later...
MDRB Explorer
MDRB
Posted

Hi,

I know this is an older post but I thought I would reply anyway.

It all depends on how sensitive you are to the gluten. Some celiacs find that they can't use

some brands of shampoos and soaps because they contain gluten which accidentally gets on

thier hands or in thier mouth. Other celiacs never get dagnosed because they don't have any symptoms (jealous? I am!)

If you are not starting to feel better within a couple of months, take a look at your soaps and

other personal products.

Good luck :)

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

Go to topic listing

  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Celiac.com:
    Join eNewsletter
    Donate
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A17):
    Celiac.com Sponsor (A17):



    Celiac.com Sponsors (A17-M):



  • Recent Activity

    1. xxnonamexx
      - xxnonamexx posted a topic in Post Diagnosis, Recovery & Treatment of Celiac Disease
      0

      FDA looking for input on Celiac Gluten sensitivity labeling PLEASE READ and submit your suggestions

      Please read: https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-takes-steps-improve-gluten-ingredient-disclosure-foods?fbclid=IwY2xjawPeXhJleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFzaDc3NWRaYzlJOFJ4R0Fic3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHrwuSsw8Be7VNGOrKKWFVbrjmf59SGht05nIALwnjQ0DoGkDDK1doRBDzeeX_aem_GZcRcbhisMTyFUp3YMUU9Q
    2. cristiana
      - cristiana replied to Atl222's topic in Post Diagnosis, Recovery & Treatment of Celiac Disease
      2

      Increased intraepithelial lymphocytes after 10 yrs gluten-free

      Hi @Atl222 As @trents points out, there could be many reasons for this biopsy result. I am interested to know, is your gastroenterologist concerned? Also, are your blood tests showing steady improvement over the years? I remember when I had my last biopsy, several years after diagnosis, mine came back with with raised lymphocytes but no villous...
    3. trents
      - trents replied to Atl222's topic in Post Diagnosis, Recovery & Treatment of Celiac Disease
      2

      Increased intraepithelial lymphocytes after 10 yrs gluten-free

      Welcome to the celiac.com community, @Atl222! Yes, your increased lymphocytes could be in response to oats or it could possibly be cross contamination from gluten that is getting into your diet from some unexpected source but not enough to damage the villi. And I'm certain that increased lymphocytes can be caused by other things besides celiac disease...
    4. Scott Adams
      - Scott Adams replied to Aretaeus Cappadocia's topic in Gluten-Free Foods, Products, Shopping & Medications
      1

      Brown Rice Vinegar (organic) from Eden Foods is likely gluten free

      This is a solid, well-reasoned approach. You’re right that “koji” by itself doesn’t indicate gluten status, and the risk really does come down to which grain is used to culture it. The fact that you directly contacted Eden Foods and received a clear statement that their koji is made from rice only, with no wheat or barley, is meaningful due diligence—especia...
    5. Scott Adams
      - Scott Adams replied to wellthatsfun's topic in Post Diagnosis, Recovery & Treatment of Celiac Disease
      1

      nothing has changed

      Seven months can still be early in celiac healing, especially if you were mostly asymptomatic to begin with—symptoms like low iron, vitamin D deficiency, nail changes, and hair issues often take much longer to improve because the gut needs time to recover before absorption normalizes. A tTG-IgA of 69 is not “low” in terms of immune activity, and it can t...
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):

  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      133,192
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748
    DenisC
    Newest Member
    DenisC
    Joined
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):

  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      121.6k
    • Total Posts
      1m
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):

  • Who's Online (See full list)

  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • xxnonamexx
      FDA looking for input on Celiac Gluten sensitivity labeling PLEASE READ and submit your suggestions

      By xxnonamexx · Posted

      Please read: https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-takes-steps-improve-gluten-ingredient-disclosure-foods?fbclid=IwY2xjawPeXhJleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFzaDc3NWRaYzlJOFJ4R0Fic3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHrwuSsw8Be7VNGOrKKWFVbrjmf59SGht05nIALwnjQ0DoGkDDK1doRBDzeeX_aem_GZcRcbhisMTyFUp3YMUU9Q
    • cristiana
      Increased intraepithelial lymphocytes after 10 yrs gluten-free

      By cristiana · Posted

      Hi @Atl222 As @trents points out, there could be many reasons for this biopsy result.  I am interested to know, is your gastroenterologist concerned?  Also, are your blood tests showing steady improvement over the years? I remember when I had my last biopsy, several years after diagnosis, mine came back with with raised lymphocytes but no villous damage, too! In my own case, my consultant wasn't remotely concerned - in fact, he said I might still get this result even if all I ever did was eat nothing but rice and water.   My coeliac blood tests were still steadily improving, albeit slowly, which was reassuring.
    • trents
      Increased intraepithelial lymphocytes after 10 yrs gluten-free

      By trents · Posted

      Welcome to the celiac.com community, @Atl222! Yes, your increased lymphocytes could be in response to oats or it could possibly be cross contamination from gluten that is getting into your diet from some unexpected source but not enough to damage the villi. And I'm certain that increased lymphocytes can be caused by other things besides celiac disease or gluten/oats exposure. See attachment. But you might try eliminating oats to start with and possibly dairy for a few months and then seek another endoscopy/biopsy to see if there was a reduction in lymphocyte counts. 
    • Scott Adams
      Brown Rice Vinegar (organic) from Eden Foods is likely gluten free

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      This is a solid, well-reasoned approach. You’re right that “koji” by itself doesn’t indicate gluten status, and the risk really does come down to which grain is used to culture it. The fact that you directly contacted Eden Foods and received a clear statement that their koji is made from rice only, with no wheat or barley, is meaningful due diligence—especially since Eden has a long-standing reputation for transparency. While the lack of gluten labeling can understandably give pause, manufacturer confirmation like this is often what people rely on for traditionally fermented products. As always, trusting your body after trying it is reasonable, but based on the information you gathered, your conclusion makes sense.
    • Scott Adams
      nothing has changed

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      Seven months can still be early in celiac healing, especially if you were mostly asymptomatic to begin with—symptoms like low iron, vitamin D deficiency, nail changes, and hair issues often take much longer to improve because the gut needs time to recover before absorption normalizes. A tTG-IgA of 69 is not “low” in terms of immune activity, and it can take 12–24 months (sometimes longer) for antibodies and the intestinal lining to fully heal, particularly in teens and young adults. Eating gluten again to “test” things isn’t recommended and won’t give you clear answers—it’s far more likely to cause harm than clarity. Weight not changing is also very common in celiac and doesn’t rule anything out. Please know that your frustration and sadness matter; this adjustment is hard, and feeling stuck can really affect mental health. You deserve support, and if you can, reaching out to a GI dietitian or mental health professional familiar with chronic illness could really help you through this phase. This study indicates that a majority of celiacs don't recover until 5 years after diagnosis and starting a gluten-free diet: Mucosal recovery and mortality in adults with celiac disease after treatment with a gluten-free diet However, it's also possible that what the study really shows is the difficulty in maintaining a 100% gluten-free diet. I suspect that if you looked closely at the diets of those who did not recover within 2 years might be that their diets were not 100% gluten-free. Perhaps they ate out more often, or didn't understand all of the hidden ingredients where gluten can hide. Either way, it shows how difficult recovery from celiac disease can be for most people. According to this study: This article explores other causes of flattened villi:    
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

NOTICE: This site places This site places cookies on your device (Cookie settings). on your device. Continued use is acceptance of our Terms of Use, and Privacy Policy.