Cross Contamination At Home.. How Does It Happen?

[Harrisgirl 0]

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

[HAK1031 0]

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 0]

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

[HAK1031 0]

glad to help

[Lisa 464]

Welcome!

Here is some start up information:

http://www.celiac.org/downloads/Quick%20St...NAL%2010_06.pdf

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

http://www.glutenfreeindy.com/foodlists/in...donothidegluten

[kenlove 44]

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

[GlutenGalAZ 1]

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:

http://www.venturaceliac.org/glutenfree-basics.htm

http://www.csaceliacs.org/

http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Cookbook:Gluten-Free

http://www.dfwceliac.org/ (this one has skin and body items that are gluten free -- left side of page)

Best of luck

[home_based_mom 2]

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!"

http://www.snopes.com/horrors/food/tacobell.asp

[MDRB 1]

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