I was cruising some of my celiac groups one day and saw a post about paper straws containing wheat.... Wait... WHAT!!!!! So the research began.
I have been handed a drink with those paper straws many times before. Yes, they are good for the environment, but do they contain wheat? Surprisingly some do!!! As well as some paper plates, cups, utensils, etc. Us as celiac warriors need to be very vigilant in not only what we eat but what it is placed in and on.
The disposable containers above contain wheat straw. Here is their site if you would like to go read ore or question them.
While doing research on the straws I found that some are made of paper and use the same type of glue that is used on envelopes. This glue contains gluten. Some straws are straight made from wheat and even scarier pasta straws!!!!!!
Here is a product called HAY! Straws. When you go to the FAQ section says they were tested to contain 8 ppm of gluten. So we all know the FDA requires less than 20 ppm to be classified gluten free, so these straws are labeled as such.... Those with celiac know that this is still not safe.
Pasta straws link because reading about the wheat ones wasn't bad enough.....
So what can we as celiac warriors do??
1. Don't use a straw. If you are able just opt not to use a straw.
2. If you need to use a straw know the ingredients of that straw. I am on the hunt for a website that lists all the ingredients of all the different types of straws and will share that once found. If I can't find it I may make a database of my own.
3. Bring your own. There are so many options of silicone and aluminum straws out there just carry your own. This is my plan as we prepare for a vacation. I will have a bag of silicone straws in my bag I carry and will use those instead.
4. As always just know your surroundings. Do your research. We all know that we are better investigators than the FBI!!!! Plan ahead.
I have been handed a drink with those paper straws many times before. Yes, they are good for the environment, but do they contain wheat? Surprisingly some do!!! As well as some paper plates, cups, utensils, etc. Us as celiac warriors need to be very vigilant in not only what we eat but what it is placed in and on.
While doing research on the straws I found that some are made of paper and use the same type of glue that is used on envelopes. This glue contains gluten. Some straws are straight made from wheat and even scarier pasta straws!!!!!!
Here is a product called HAY! Straws. When you go to the FAQ section says they were tested to contain 8 ppm of gluten. So we all know the FDA requires less than 20 ppm to be classified gluten free, so these straws are labeled as such.... Those with celiac know that this is still not safe.
Pasta straws link because reading about the wheat ones wasn't bad enough.....
So what can we as celiac warriors do??
1. Don't use a straw. If you are able just opt not to use a straw.
2. If you need to use a straw know the ingredients of that straw. I am on the hunt for a website that lists all the ingredients of all the different types of straws and will share that once found. If I can't find it I may make a database of my own.
3. Bring your own. There are so many options of silicone and aluminum straws out there just carry your own. This is my plan as we prepare for a vacation. I will have a bag of silicone straws in my bag I carry and will use those instead.
4. As always just know your surroundings. Do your research. We all know that we are better investigators than the FBI!!!! Plan ahead.
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