Canadians..new And A Question About Tim Horton's + Starbucks

[kaiess]

I drink Tim Horton's coffee with 1 cream and 1 splenda all the time. Are the gluten free? What about White Chocolate Mocha's made with skim milk at Starbucks? How about Caramel Machiato (sp??) made with skim milk at Starbucks? And of course my beloved xmas drinks at Starbucks....Egg Nog Latte's and Gingerbread Latte's?

Need to know otherwise I might go completely crazy eliminating my much needed addiction.

Kathy (who is not Celiac but is going gluten-free due to son's diagnosis...thus not too worried about a little cross contamination in my diet)

[psawyer]

Plain coffee is gluten-free. Cream is gluten-free. Splenda is gluten-free. There is always a possibility of cross-contamination in an establishment where baked items are made on site and are a large part of their business.

I drink their coffee from time to time without any ill effects. I prefer Second Cup, for what that is worth.

[maile]

I drink Tim Horton's coffee with 1 cream and 1 splenda all the time. Are the gluten free? What about White Chocolate Mocha's made with skim milk at Starbucks? How about Caramel Machiato (sp??) made with skim milk at Starbucks? And of course my beloved xmas drinks at Starbucks....Egg Nog Latte's and Gingerbread Latte's?

Need to know otherwise I might go completely crazy eliminating my much needed addiction.

Kathy (who is not Celiac but is going gluten-free due to son's diagnosis...thus not too worried about a little cross contamination in my diet)

found Open Original Shared Link which discusses Starbucks gluten-free status, it's an American site but perhaps worthwhile to note

Last verified 12/08

1-800-23-LATTE, Ext. 0

The following information was given by a Customer Service Department representative for Starbucks via telephone. They require you to call to receive information about their gluten-free menu items, rather than email.

Not gluten-free:

The following ingredients are not gluten-free -

Chips - Java Chip, Chocolate Chip, International Beverage Chip, Universal Chip

Toppings - Graham Crunch, Pie Crust, Shortbread Cookie Topping, Cinnamon Dulce*

Syrups - Dulce de Leche, Shortbread

Malt

Vanilla Bean Powder

*Starbucks' Cinnamon Powder is gluten-free. The Cinnamon Dulce, however has a "wheat component" which is "denatured" to remove the gluten protein. They recommend that those who are extremely sensitive not risk consuming it.

Any drink containing any of the above ingredients is not considered gluten-free. The Eggnog drink is also not considered gluten-free.

Gluten-Free: All beverages that do not contain the above ingredients are considered gluten free. The representive did mention that the Peppermint Curls and Crystlized Ginger Topping are gluten-free.

Note: Although Starbucks routinely rinses pitchers after each drink is made, the customer service representative said gluten-free customers can request that the pitcher go through a sanitizer before their drink is made.

Comments

"I just learned that the cinnamon sugar topping used at Starbucks is not gluten free. They have added flour to avoid clumping. If you visit Starbucks you will definitely want to avoid the cinnamon sugar topping used on their holiday specials." Shari Johns, co-chair CSA Chapter #14

"This explains why I had a bunch of canker sores awhile back, after trying a Vanilla Bean Frappuccino. No wonder they taste so good!

I would recommend, however, for the workers to clean out the Frappuccino blenders/cups/etc. because if they used a gluten flavor ahead of you, it's more than likely contaminated. Here in Casper, they rinse them out, but don't use soap, that I have noticed. Also, when I asked about the regular Chocolate Chip flavor at the store, the girl went back and grabbed a bag of chocolate chips - wheat flour was an ingredient. I don't know about you all, but the chocolate chips I buy at Wal-Mart do not contain gluten - why do the Starbucks ones have to? My husband said that flavor is delicious."

[kaiess]

found Open Original Shared Link which discusses Starbucks gluten-free status, it's an American site but perhaps worthwhile to note

EGG NOG Lattes......boo hoo

I guess on the bright side that's about a million calories NOT going to my rear end several times a week during Xmas season. I wonder if one day I can truly break my coffee addiction completely.

Thanks for the help!

Kathy

[Wonka]

EGG NOG Lattes......boo hoo

I guess on the bright side that's about a million calories NOT going to my rear end several times a week during Xmas season.

LOL My thoughts exactly.