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How To Tell If Lunch Meats Are Gluten Free

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heavy Apprentice
heavy
Posted

My 6yrs old is being served lunch meats at school. I'm not sure how to tell if they are gluten free. I've tried to call the usda who they recieved the meat from to find out. All they told me is they offer gluten free flours. They couldn't tell me anything else. I know she has been exposed to gluten some how. I think it is in the lunch meat but i dont know how to prove it. They were giving her cocoa puffs until i found out and told them it was not gluten free. I did read the label and it didn't state malt was in it. However I knew the ones at the store are not gluten free. The school is trying to accomadate for a gluten free meal. I do send most of there hot meals for my children to eat. However there are some days that they change the menu on me without notice. If I send pasta and spegetti sauce and they change the menu my children get lunch meat. Lunch meat is their gluten free meal. I tried sending lunch meats to the school to serve just in case but they dont give it to them. What are some of the key words to look for in lunch meat that might contain gluten hidden or not. I buy the wal-mart brand so i know or the ones that state no fillers added.

Some one told me i needed to get the dr. to write a Rx in detail of what she can or can't have with reguard to her school menu. Has anyone out there even done this before for a gluten free diet?

Any advise on this matter would be most helpful!

Can you tell me if there are lunch meats that are also milk, milk protein and gluten free. My other daughter is allergic to milk, eggs and whey along with gluten free.

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MaryJones2 Enthusiast
MaryJones2
Posted

Generally speaking you'd want to check out anything with natural flavors, unspecified spices, etc.

Here is a list of meats that may be helpful:

Open Original Shared Link

Hopefully some of the parents here can give you suggestions on addressing this with the school. One option is to send a box of food to the cafeteria so they can pull something out of it when the menu changes but it sounds like you've tried that and it doesn't work.

nw0528 Apprentice
nw0528
Posted

Is your daughter on any type of health plan at school? I had a student several years ago with Celiac and her plan specified that she have a small fridge in the classroom (this passed from grade to grade with her) to keep her foods separate and also her mom kept it stocked with special treats so if someone brought a birthday treat with gluten or if someone sent in a special treat, then she would have one.

I am not understanding how if you sent lunch meats yourself for your daughter, the school did not give it to her to eat. I would strongly suggest requesting a meeting with your child's teacher and school nurse. They can decide if it is necessary to involve the kitchen staff. If you are not satisfied with the meeting, then request another meeting with an administrator present.

Nicole

My 6yrs old is being served lunch meats at school. I'm not sure how to tell if they are gluten free. I've tried to call the usda who they recieved the meat from to find out. All they told me is they offer gluten free flours. They couldn't tell me anything else. I know she has been exposed to gluten some how. I think it is in the lunch meat but i dont know how to prove it. They were giving her cocoa puffs until i found out and told them it was not gluten free. I did read the label and it didn't state malt was in it. However I knew the ones at the store are not gluten free. The school is trying to accomadate for a gluten free meal. I do send most of there hot meals for my children to eat. However there are some days that they change the menu on me without notice. If I send pasta and spegetti sauce and they change the menu my children get lunch meat. Lunch meat is their gluten free meal. I tried sending lunch meats to the school to serve just in case but they dont give it to them. What are some of the key words to look for in lunch meat that might contain gluten hidden or not. I buy the wal-mart brand so i know or the ones that state no fillers added.

Some one told me i needed to get the dr. to write a Rx in detail of what she can or can't have with reguard to her school menu. Has anyone out there even done this before for a gluten free diet?

Any advise on this matter would be most helpful!

Can you tell me if there are lunch meats that are also milk, milk protein and gluten free. My other daughter is allergic to milk, eggs and whey along with gluten free.

mcole Newbie
mcole
Posted

Your child may qualify for a 504 plan in your district. Section 504 "which specifies that no one with a disability can be excluded from participating in federally funded programs or activities, including elementary, secondary or postsecondary schooling. "Disability" in this context refers to a "physical or mental impairment which substantially limits one or more major life activities." This can include physical impairments; illnesses or injuries; communicable diseases; chronic conditions like asthma, allergies and diabetes; and learning problems."

I would request a meeting with your school. This plan will require them to help your child at school. This plan may include training kitchen staff or contacting you if the menu changes.

SBisglutenfree Rookie
SBisglutenfree
Posted
Generally speaking you'd want to check out anything with natural flavors, unspecified spices, etc.

Here is a list of meats that may be helpful:

Open Original Shared Link

Hopefully some of the parents here can give you suggestions on addressing this with the school. One option is to send a box of food to the cafeteria so they can pull something out of it when the menu changes but it sounds like you've tried that and it doesn't work.

Thanks for the link! I've been feeling like I'm on a treasure hunt wandering aimlessly through the supermarket...

S.

VegasCeliacBuckeye Collaborator
VegasCeliacBuckeye
Posted

I would correct one thing on that www.glutenfreeinsd.com site,

I have talked to the Honey Baked Ham people via the 1-800 number and they said all Honeybaked Hams and Turkeys are now gluten free (online, store or otherwise).

BB

Amyleigh0007 Enthusiast
Amyleigh0007
Posted

If any kind of grain is added to meat it must state that on the package. It is a law. So, gluten will clearly be listed on the package if it contains it.

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