Preventing Cross-Contamination Gluten-Free Diets: Preventing Cross-Contamination Evangelical Community Hospital Nutritional Services Kaitlin Gill 7/13

The only way to manage Celiac disease is to follow a Gluten-Free diet. What is Celiac Disease? It is a genetic disorder. The body sees gluten and begins attacking itself. The intestine is damaged and cannot absorb nutrients, causing weight loss and digestive problems. This could result in brain, nervous system, bone and liver damage. The only way to manage Celiac disease is to follow a Gluten-Free diet. What is Celiac Disease? It is a disease that occurs when the body reacts negatively to gluten. The body has an autoimmune response and attacks the intestines, reducing its ability to absorb nutrients. Overtime this can cause weight loss and digestive issues. Without treatment, it can damage the brain, nervous system, bone, liver and other organs within the body (malabsorption). It can also hinder growth and development in children. The only way to manage celiac disease is to follow a gluten free diet.

A gluten-free diet allows the intestines a chance to heal. What is gluten? Gluten is a protein found in grains like wheat, barley and rye. How does a Gluten-Free diet work? A gluten-free diet allows the intestines a chance to heal. Must stop eating foods and drinks with gluten present, not just grains such as wheat. Processed foods and food additives can also contain gluten. **Read Labels!** What is gluten? How does a Gluten-Free diet work? Gluten is a naturally occurring protein found in grains such as wheat, barley and rye. A gluten-free diet works to eliminate all sources of gluten, not just wheat, barley and rye. Gluten can be found in processed foods, sauces, prepared meats, and other non-grain based sources. It is also found in food additives. Reading all labels is important when preparing foods for GF customers and patients. Consuming GF foods will allow the body the chance to repair damaged intestines and begin functioning properly again.

A gluten intolerance should be handled like a food allergy. How to Prevent Cross-Contamination A gluten intolerance should be handled like a food allergy. The smallest amount of gluten can cause a reaction in someone with celiac disease. Cross-Contamination A gluten intolerance should be handled similar to a food allergy. Even the smallest amount of gluten can cause a reaction in someone with celiac disease.

Preparing and Serving Remember to: Prepare gluten-free foods FIRST Change your gloves before handling gluten-free foods Make sure area is clean Use separate gluten-free utensils for gluten-free foods Prepare GF foods first. Change your gloves before handling gluten-free foods. When preparing GF foods make sure the area is clean and use GF designated or thoroughly cleaned utensils and cutting boards. Always use separate utensils for serving foods that are GF. Using non-GF utensils could contaminate GF foods.

Preparing Sandwiches When preparing sandwiches for gluten free customers and patients: Change into new gloves make on a clean plate or in the take-out container, not on the counter-top use the gluten-free mayo packets use the utensils in the gluten-free bin behind the deli When making sandwiches, make then on a clean plate or directly in the take out container, not on the deli bar counter-top. Use or change into new gloves. When serving GF customers in the cafeteria, use the utensils in the GF bin behind the Deli for sandwich making. Also make sure to use the separate GF mayo packets. **Mayo packets prevent cross-contamination. Using a spatula to spread mayo on gluten filled bread, and dipping it back into the mayo container will contaminate the entire mayo batch.

Wash everything THOROUGHLY! Other tips: Make sure all gluten-free foods and utensils are labeled Cross-contamination can occur when fresh produce is washed using a ‘contaminated’ pasta colander. Wash everything THOROUGHLY! Make sure all GF foods are labeled as such. Be aware when washing fruits and vegetables. Using a colander previously used to drain pasta could result in cross-contamination. Thoroughly cleaning all pots, pans, utensils, etc. is important to prevent cross-contamination in the future.

When in Doubt, Check it out! Which Foods are Gluten-Free? *An updated list of gluten-free foods are available at each station. This list is for both cafeteria and kitchen use. When in Doubt, Check it out!

Preventing Cross-Contamination Gluten-Free Diet: Preventing Cross-Contamination Questions? Comments? Suggestions?