Cold Cuts.

[Imanistj]

I have a question for those of you who react to small amounts of CC. I don't feel any different on the gluten-free diet so I can't tell. I have found gluten-free deli ham and turkey and I wonder how much gluten one might get if the slicer isn't cleaned prior to cutting my order. I haven't been asking the clerk to clean the machine because I am embarrassed to make extra work for them and also because the deli line always seems to be busy. I did ask the other day because there weren't any other customers and there were two clerks. I was amazed at how much work it was for the lady to disassemble the machine, wipe off every surface and then put everything back together. I didn't have the heart to call to her to change her gloves before she sliced my order and she caught each slice as it fell away from the machine and neatly placed it on a clean paper. I live in NY and all food handlers have to wear gloves but I do know that some states don't require this. Still, all that cleaning was for nothing because she didn't change her gloves. I thanked her for her time and she was really sweet and said it was OK. From now on, lazy creature that I am, I will be at the deli department at 7 AM when it first opens, ask to be first if someone else is there, and hope for the best. So--am I dosing myself with a lot of gluten?

[Lisa]

I buy deli meat very rarely, due to my concerns with the dedication of those who work behind the counter. I would rather adjust my dietary options....

So I generally buy deli meat prepackaged, from companies such as Hormel or Oscar Meyer and others, who will clearly disclose all forms of gluten on their labels.

[lovegrov]

I usually buy prepackaged. However, another option is to check your deli case and see whether there's actually any deli meat that has gluten. The VAST majority -- and I'm talking just about everything -- is gluten-free. For instance, at my Kroger, all Boar's Head meats are gluten-free and all Private Selection meats are gluten-free. All cheeses are gluten-free. I think there's also one other meat line but I believe it's a Kraft line, and Kraft clearly lists any gluten. So at least at this store, the chance of CC is basically nil.

richard

[Ahorsesoul]

I live in a small town with two grocery stores. At the smallest store (not Wal-Mart) the deli will slice deli meat and cheese on a clean slicer first thing in the morning. They just ask that I put in my order the night before and let them know the reason (i.e. gluten free). Your store might do this if you ask to talk to the deli manager. Stores should be glad to do this for people with special diets.

The gluten free diet is getting more well known so ask away. If you are the first to ask, you become the store's trainer and a saint to the next gluten free person.

[Imanistj]

Good idea. I will ask the deli super if I can leave an order for a first AM slicing and pick it up later in the day. I am seldom up before 10 AM and if this works I won't have to get up three hours after I go to bed For those of you who are tsk-tsking about how late I stay up, I worked for years on the 2nd and 3rd shifts and my body decided it liked late to bed and later to rise.

[CeliacAndCfsCrusader]

Too much stress IMO to ask or have confidence there will be no CC on the slicer.

I buy the Hormel Natural line, wait for it to go on sale and you can freeze it too.

Surprisingly, the roast beef is actually really good. Don't be thrown off by the appearance in the package.

Ham and turkey varieties are excellent. Works out about the same $$ per lb when on sale as the stuff in the deli case.