Thank you for this article! Cross-contamination is a real threat to those with celiac disease, so it's important for restaurants to know where they could err. The National Foundation for Celiac Awareness offers gluten-free restaurant training through GREAT Kitchens (www.CeliacLearning.com) for any restaurants interested in learning more.
Cheryl McEvoy
National Foundation for Celiac Awareness
cmcevoy@celiaccentral.org
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More steps to gluten free
Last week, I started this discussion identifying items that contain gluten that might suprise you, as well as the first steps in creating gluten free dishes.
In addition to identifying and eliminating ingredients which contain gluten from recipes, there are several more steps to take to create a truly gluten free dish. In a busy kitchen, gluten can find its way into a dish through cross contamination with other dishes, ingredients, and even utensils.
Follow these steps to avoid cross contamination:
• Always use a separate flour sifter for gluten free flours. Make sure it is clearly marked and stored separately from sifters used for traditional flours.
• Purchase, label, and use separate utensils for the preparation of gluten free dishes.
• Never double dip knives in condiments such as mayonnaise, mustard, and other spreads. Encourage staff to pour spreads into a separate dish before each use.
• Purchase a separate gluten free toaster for toasting gluten free breads, bagels and rolls. Label and place the toaster in a location separate from areas where traditional breads and starches are being prepared to prevent cross contamination.
Gluten sensitivities, allergies, and Celiac disease are becoming more commonplace every day. Being prepared to serve the needs of customers with special dietary concerns is no longer optional for restaurants, it is a necessity.
The single most effective tool to be prepared is to be informed! Having a complete nutrition analysis of all menu-item ingredients and having that information on hand (and easily available!) is key!
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Betsy Craig
Betsy Craig brings 20 years of food service industry experience to MenuTrinfo, LLC a menu nutritional labeling Company. Her commitment to the betterment of the food industry and her desire to affect the dining public are the driving forces behind her new company Kitchens with Confidence, LLC.
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