Preventing Gluten Cross-Contamination in Your Gluten Free Kitchen
Preventing gluten cross-contamination in your gluten free kitchen can be tricky. To ensure that gluten free eaters aren’t exposed to gluten, preventative tactics must be put into action. These preventative home campaigns must be clearly visible so that all house guests and residents are highly aware of designated gluten free zones.
Why is eliminating gluten cross-contamination risk so important?
Gluten cross-contamination can lead to some pretty unfavorable consequences. Those who are highly sensitive to gluten will experience an inflammatory reaction and severe digestion symptoms almost immediately after gluten consumption. To keep these people safe and healthy, a method must be in effect to decrease gluten cross-contamination risks.
What method of gluten cross-contamination prevention works?
Lots of labeling! That’s where Gluten Free Labels comes into play. Gluten Free Labels labels and tags enhance the gluten free zoning process at home, effectively and visibly marking and tagging items, foods, and spaces that must restrict access to all things gluten.
Here are just a few ideas…
1. Pantries & Refrigerators — Gluten cross-contamination can happen in shelves and refrigerators when gluten particles fall into gluten free foods from above. To avoid gluten cross-contamination, always be sure to put gluten free foods above gluten-containing foods to prevent gluten crumbs from polluting gluten free foods and then label the gluten free foods to identify them as gluten free.
2. Toasters — A hidden source of gluten cross-contamination are toasters. Purchase a new toaster and place the silicon tag (Gluten Free Label tags are oven safe) around the lever to designate it as gluten free territory.
3. Strainers — Gluten sticks inside all the little wholes inside a strainer and is an easy source of gluten cross-contamination. Buying a new strainer and tagging it as will keep your strainer safe inside your gluten aware kitchen.
4. Condiment Jars — Label your condiment jars or containers (so a gluten contaminated utensil doesn’t get dipped into your mustard, jam, cream cheese, or peanut butter). The circle labels work especially well for the tops of jars!
5. Cutting Boards — Use a separate cutting board for gluten free food preparation. Designate it a gluten free zone with a label or tag.
6. Utensils — Purchase separate sets of utensils for gluten free food preparation. Place these utensils in a separate drawer marked with a gluten free label.
7. Baking Equipment — Dedicate a separate set of baking equipment (serving spoons, wooden spoons, and sifter) for gluten free baking. Attach a gluten free tag to the sifter and stick all utensils in your gluten free-labeled drawer.
8. Pots/Pans — Use separate pots and pans for gluten free cooking. Attach gluten free tags to these. They are oven safe!
9. Sponges — Use a separate sponge for cleaning your gluten free dishes and tag your sponge holder accordingly.
10. Education — Educate your house guests on gluten and gluten cross-contamination possibilities. A quick gluten 101 lesson could go a long way in keeping you safe.
Do these measures seem overly intense?
I assure you that they’re not. Yes, a gluten free lifestyle is a big adjustment. Even though it may seem overwhelming at first, gluten eaters and those with gluten sensitivities will eventually adjust.
Gluten Free Labels assists this adjustment, making the process of creating and maintaining a gluten free and non-gluten free divide pain-free. The simple act of marking gluten free foods, items, and spaces with these visible, easy-to-use labels and tags ensures that the home is a safer space for someone diagnosed with Celiac Disease.
Purchase your own gluten free branded labels, tags and toothpick flags here!