Mustard Not Gluten Free At Pf Chang's?

[superbeansprout]

I recently ate at PF Chang's in Boston, and when the waitress brought me special gluten free soy sauce, I asked her if I could eat any of the other mixers they bring with the soy sauce (chili oil, mustard, vinegar, hot chili pepper chutney), and the waitress told me that the mustard was not gluten free. I asked her why, if it was just a cross contamination issue, but she told me that mustard is never gluten free, because the mustard seed is naturally not gluten free.

Now, this didn't make much sense to me, as mustard seed is a spice, and naturally wouldn't contain gluten.

anyone have any ideas as to why they would be told that?? what is not gluten free about their mustard??

[AndreaB]

I believe your plain mustard is gluten free. I don't know what ingredients are in the specialty mustards. I eat mustard occasionaly (although not out) and it doesn't bother me.....I'm not real symptomatic though.

I don't know why the waitress would have mentioned the mustard seed. I would have expected something about the vinegar in it, but it's supposed to be safe. The mustard I use has apple cider vinegar in it.

[Juliebove]

Not all mustard is gluten-free. I can't speak specifically for that one.

[psawyer]

If there is a gluten issue with regard to prepared mustard, it will come from an ingredient other than the mustard seed itself. Mustard seed is not a grain, and is not a source of gluten. The vinegar debate is ongoing as regards to source, but most vinegar in North America is distilled from non-gluten sources. Unless specifically labeled as "Malt Vinegar," the vinegar is distilled.