Food From Bulk Bins

[lyndsayrose]

Hi All,

I am wondering if anyone out there dares to eat anything out of the bulk bins at grocery stores? I work at a natural food store, and I know there is a lot of cross contamination, but I was hoping I could use bulk beans if I rinse them really well... I have been gluten free for a long time but just discovered last week I am in the celiac club, so I am not sure how cautiously I need to tread here. Any input? Or any ideas on where to get beans and nuts that are for sure gluten-free and also reasonably priced?

Thanks!

[GlutenFreeManna]

Everything I have read says DON'T DO IT! Unless you know the origin of those grains and unless the store selling them does not sell any wheat, spelt, barely, rye or oat products in bulk you have no way of knowing how contaminated they are. All it takes is someone using the wheat scoop once in that bin of peanuts and the bin is contaminated. I doubt they empty it and thoroughly clean it very often, and it probably gets cc'd several times a week if not several times a day. Like I said maybe if you go to a place that only sells nuts and they can promise you that the nuts did not ride in a truck next to a big bag of wheat flour on the way to their store then you could try it. Personally, I wouldn't chance it.

[Skylark]

Beans are so cheap do you really need to buy them from the bulk bins and worry about how well you rinse off the gluten? I buy them in bags at regular grocery stores for a dollar or two. I think the last bag of lentils I got was 98 cents. Plain canned beans are fine too. I don't know about your stores, but around here you can get containers of pre-weighed nuts, dried fruits, and so forth at stores with the bulk buns and there isn't nearly the risk of CC.

[kareng]

Maybe, because you work in the store, you could get stuff straight out of the bag before the bulk bin.

[GFinDC]

I don't do bulk bins anymore. Been burned a couple times by them so I am not taking the chance again.