Gluten By Meat? Is This Possible?

[climbmtwhitney]

Hi.

Oh crap. I've been reading several posts today eluding to the fact that meat from animals fed corn or wheat may actually be contaminated with the corn or wheat. Can you get glutened by beef or chicken? I try to buy organic, grass fed meats, but I'm definitely not diligent about it. Does the same go for things like turkey bacon, hot dogs and sausages?

Is this true, false, or just a theory? Hmmmm. HELP!

Thanks!

Sonya

[Lisa]

false - in my opinion.

Here is another thread on the subject:

Open Original Shared Link

[YoloGx]

I agree false--meat doesn't have gluten in it despite the feed the animals ate. Though sausages etc. are another matter. Make sure you get gluten-free ones since they often add starch to help bind them together. Same with ham and cooked turkey (the basting and/or stuffing process) and hamburger is often "fortified" with wheat to make it stickier.

Bea

[MNBeth]

Does anyone else get nervous, though, when they see things like stuffed pork chops or breaded fish fillets in the butcher case? I want to believe that meat processors in factories and stores have to be pretty fanatical about cleanup because, well, it's meat.

But it makes me nervous every time I see it.

[spunky]

I've read repeatedly that wheat-fed/grain fed animals do not have gluten or other allergic components in their flesh. They might fattier and for that reason not the lean and healthy varieties that would be ideal, but I don't think it would be common to have an immune response to whatever they ate.

And yes, I'm totally turned off whenever I see bread crumbs or stuffings anywhere in sight... you know butchers are among the cleanest people, but they most likely are thinking more of cleanliness in regard in blood-borne germs, etc., NOT crumbs and stuffings. That makes me very nervous to see. I think really good butchers would want to clean thoroughly after stuffing or coating meats because they would not want to contaminate the taste of the unstuffed, unbreaded products... at least I hope that's how it is.

[lovegrov]

Relax. Not possible.

richard

[RDR]

climbmtwhitney, although it seems unlikely to get glutened that way, there's another problem that could easily be mistaken for that if you react to corn. I was told about a practice by a butcher I go to and after checking it out it seems like he was spot on.

Here's the email I received from Organic Prairie Meats.

"Thank you again for contacting us.

Upon further investigation the Research & Development department has notified me that many of our meat packages are dusted with corn starch on the inside which come in contact with the product.

Therefore, I unfortunately would have to recommend not consuming our meat products if you have any corn allergies.

Thank you for your patience and interest in supporting our Family of Farmers!

Sincerely,

Kayla Koenings

Consumer Relations Associate

CROPP Cooperative

Organic Valley/Organic Prairie Brands

888-444-6455 ext.3367

kayla.koenings@organicvalley.coop

One Organic Way

LaFarge, WI 54639"

For us with corn problems too it seems there's another way to get a reaction. From what I've heard many of the companies out there do it to keep the meats from sticking to the packaging yet you'll rarely find it on the labels.

[pickle]

For us with corn problems too it seems there's another way to get a reaction. From what I've heard many of the companies out there do it to keep the meats from sticking to the packaging yet you'll rarely find it on the labels.

Wow, first I was surprised to find out what the powder in latex gloves and balloons was made of (usually corn starch/powder) and now meat packaging?! Makes you wonder where else they are dusting without informing the consumers!

[Leonesse]

I read that many candy companies dust their conveyor belts with flour so the candy doesn't stick, and no, it isn't on the label. Type of flour unspecified.

[lovegrov]

"I read that many candy companies dust their conveyor belts with flour so the candy doesn't stick, and no, it isn't on the label. Type of flour unspecified."

In more than 7 years I think I found exactly one company that did this using wheat flour. And they discontinued the practice.

richard