Thoughts On "produced In Facility That Processes Wheat" Statement?

[jrappene]

I was wondering what everybody thinks about the statement "produced in facility that processes wheat..."? Should I be as worried as I am? Please comment.

Jordan

[Juliebove]

I was wondering what everybody thinks about the statement "produced in facility that processes wheat..."? Should I be as worried as I am? Please comment.

Jordan

I would probably buy that unless my daughter had a reaction to it and then I certainly would not. I would not buy a product that said it was made on shared lines with wheat or may contain traces of...

[irish daveyboy]

I was wondering what everybody thinks about the statement "produced in facility that processes wheat..."? Should I be as worried as I am? Please comment.

Jordan

'produced in a facility' that statement may mean another building within a production complex.

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Even made on a line that produces Wheat products is normally safe, there are very strict clean-down

processes in a food facility..

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I personally wouldn't be unduly worried.

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what would set bells ringing is buying flours from an Asian Market, where rice flour is probably packed in a back room in 'Chinatown' next to wheat flour.

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No safe practices here, no separate packing rooms, and as for clean-down in between runs - ha!

that's a laugh.

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Branded products are always safer, always check if you're in doubt.

Lab test results for years may show NO CONTAMINATION in a facility that produces

Gluten Free as well as Wheat products.

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Ask the Manufacturer!

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If their Health and Safety Department can't give you an answer don't use the product.

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Best Regards,

David

[dilettantesteph]

I think that those warnings are for those of us that are more sensitive to small amounts of gluten. If it doesn't bother you, I wouldn't worry about it. I wouldn't touch it myself because I am very sensitive.

[ang1e0251]

I used to disregard that and I was OK. But as time went by, I became more sensitive and was burned a couple of times by products I had been OK with before. So now I usually avoid those unless I read an endorsement here.

[TiffLuvsBread]

I don't touch anything with that label right NOW because I'm only in week 4 of being gluten-free and I'm trying to be as strict as possible so I can be certain what gives me troubles and what does not. I want to introduce things on purpose only. In a few days when I start introducing things back into my diet (which I am NOT looking forward to, but have put it off for a while already) that is the first thing I'm going to start with. One of my favorite flax peanut butters from Trader Joe's has that warning so it's the first thing I'm going to try!

I expect to be OK with that but we'll have to see.

[larry mac]

I make a mental note (for later just in case) and then don't worry about it. 2

[Lisa16]

This one is tough because companies are not legally requried to put that information on the label. They are volunteering it. So even if you buy the brand that doesn't say that, you still might be getting something from shared lines. I guess I feel better about a company who says this because I view them as trying to be more responsible towards consumers.

On the other hand, it certainly does make me think twice or three times about buying it. Take con-agra's crunch and munch (the sweet popcorn snack). I used to buy it and it didn't have this information on the label. However, they started putting this on the box and I stopped buying it. Or take gurley brand nuts. They do not say this on the package, whereas their main competitor in the cooking aisle does. I buy the gurleys, but for all I know, they are shared lines-- just not disclosed.

It definitely affects what I buy. Whether or not that is fair is another question. I am still trying to figure this out myself.

Irishdaveyboy-- I love your warning about the flours packed in Chinatown! I recently took a gluten-free cooking class where they used and advertised these flours because they were cheaper (and "finer") than the flours advertised as gluten-free in the grocery store. After sampling some of the baked good, I got sick. Mild case-- but still. Wow.

Cross contaminiation is our biggest enemy after gluten.

[lpellegr]

I won't eat something that's labeled as processed on the same lines as gluten-containing ingredients, but as for the facility containing wheat, well so does the house where I'm going to be consuming that product, since my kids eat normally. So far it has not been a problem.

[jrappene]

I won't eat something that's labeled as processed on the same lines as gluten-containing ingredients, but as for the facility containing wheat, well so does the house where I'm going to be consuming that product, since my kids eat normally. So far it has not been a problem.

good point but I have at least some control over that unlike in a factory

[still tiredofdoctors]

While I know there are stringent rules for washing down the equipment, I still question whether flour dust is "looming" in facilities that process wheat products!

I'm somewhat paranoid about gluten, though - my only reaction is degeneration of the cerebellum - and it takes about 9 months before the next MRI shows how much - so I avoid any possible gluten ingestion like the plague!

I remember a long time ago someone whose husband was a Celiac but was a manager at Chick-Fil-A. While he didn't EAT any gluten, he ingested it through the flour dust that was in the air . . . that always stuck with me. That's why, when I read that statement, I think about him -- and the flour dust!!

[psawyer]

A notice about shared facilities or shared equipment is voluntary. If you see the notice, fine, but just because you don't see one you cannot assume that the manufacturing facility does not, in fact, process wheat or other gluten-containing grains. Call and ask, if you are concerned.

Also keep in mind that if you have gluten-containing products in your house, your house is a shared facility. Unless you have separate, dedicated dishes and cutlery, with their own dishwasher, your house has shared equipment.

[still tiredofdoctors]

Peter, you're right.

Our house is a dedicated gluten-free house. We ensure no cross-contamination. In fact, we only purchase items that state, "Produced in a dedicated gluten-free facility". My husband -- bless his heart -- is gluten-free, too.

[Angels~Exist]

Some products that say they are made on equipment that also processes wheat also have notices on them that say they are routinely tested to ensure gluten-free status. I don't know how reliable that is though.

[JesikaBeth]

I too make a mental note of it, in case I have a bad reaction I know not to go with that particular product again, but otherwise I really don't pay much regard to that statement. I think that statement is probably moreso as a courtesy to the consumer.

[darlindeb25]

I never buy anything that states that. I also have very little in my diet that is processed, and live in a gluten free dedicated home.

[Darn210]

We use those products. At this point, we have never had a problem. No symptoms and yearly blood screenings show antibody levels are OK.

[jerseyangel]

I won't use anything that is marked "produced on the same equipment"--it seems every time I have, I get a reaction. I will buy from mainstream companies who state they will list any gluten in the ingredient list. Although there is undoubtedly gluten in the facility, I'll at least try, and note any problems.