Where do They Hide It?
There are many hidden sources of gluten. Every thing that you put on and in your
body is a potential source of contamination, as well as many other items you wouldn’t
guess. Items to avoid or check include:
- Medication of all types- wheat or barley components can be used as a binder or filler
- Vitamins and Supplements
- Shampoo
- Conditioner
- Hairspray
- Hair Gel
- Lotion or sunscreen of any type
- Play-doh
- Children’s craft supplies, paint and modeling clay, school supplies and glues
- Adhesive of any type
- Lickable and self-stick envelopes and stamps, stickers for kids
- Personal lubricant & spermicide
- Make-up, especially lipstick
- Soap- bar and liquid
- Powdered gloves used by medical personnel
- Powdered medical equipment
- Toothpaste, mouthwash and dental floss
- Glue on disposable items such as paper towels and toilet paper
Hidden sources of gluten in foods:
- Infant Formula
- Spices and Spice Mixtures
- Salad Dressing
- Marinades
- Ketchup and other condiments
- Shared equipment for most any foods
- Candy (used as an anti-stick agent or dusting agent for the conveyor belts, not listed
on food labels)
- Chewing gum, mints
- Beer and alcoholic beverages
- Soy sauce
- Malt/barley malt
- Processed meats
- Anything with the word ‘spices’ in the ingredient list
- Gravy
- Bouillon powder or cubes
- MSG can be wheat derived
- Non-dairy creamer
- Vitamin E may be from a wheat-germ source
- Ice cream and yogurt
- Yeast may be grown on wheat flour
- Rice milk may be made using barley enzymes
- Non-stick spray
- Modified Food Starch
- Dried dates and dried fruit (used to prevent sticking)
- Vegetable gums, stabilizers, hydrolyzed proteins or natural/artificial flavoring
of any type
- Anything run on shared lines or processed in a facility that contains gluten
Hidden sources of gluten in daily life:
- Shared utensils, shared jars (mayo, jelly, etc..)
- Cutting boards
- Toasters and toaster ovens, waffle iron, contact grills
- Porous surfaces- teflon, stoneware
- The grill
- Pet food, pet dander
- Old cheerios and kids foods ground into carpet and in between the couch coushins
- Toys your children have mouthed while eating
- The church nursery or community center carpet and toys
- Lotion and make-up on other people’s hands and bodies. The very sensitive have to
be wary of shaking hands at public gathering.
- Public transportation and rental/friend’s cars