Preventing
Cross-Contamination
What is cross-contamination?
Cross-contamination is considered a process in which food is in contact with a foreign substance that is potentially harmful to an individual's health (1). In the gluten-free diet, exposing gluten-free foods to gluten can occur at any point in the cooking process. If your family does not eat gluten-free, it is important to consider areas of the kitchen that pose a high risk of contamination. Follow the suggestions below to keep your kitchen safe and to minimize cross-contamination as much as possible.
Food Storage
Contamination is most likely to occur in areas where a variety of foods are stored (1). Following a plan to organize your kitchen can minimize the risk of accidental gluten exposure.
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Store gluten-free foods in a separate cupboard if possible.
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Keep gluten-free foods on shelves above foods containing gluten if a separate location is not available. This will prevent foods from spilling or leaking on gluten-free products.
Kitchen Sink
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Check that the sink is clean before filling it with water and soap. The sink may have small pieces of food that should be removed before gluten-free dishes are washed.
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Wash gluten-free dishes first to prevent gluten exposure in the sink.
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Use the appropriate cleaning equipment. There should be a designated gluten-free washcloth and drying towel used only to clean gluten-free dishes.
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Designate a gluten-free sponge.
Microwave
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Cover gluten-free foods in the microwave to reduce the risk of gluten exposure.
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Clean the microwave by wiping the inside and outside of the appliance (including handles and buttons) regularly.
Dishwasher
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Dishwasher filters can hold particles of food if they aren't cleaned. For most properly working dishwashers, this shouldn't be an issue.
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Use your dishwasher's self-cleaning option regularly if available.
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Ensure your dishwasher is working efficiently.
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Check to make sure dishes are visibly clean when unloading the dishwasher. A small piece of food left on a dish may lead to accidental contamination.
Kitchen Tools
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Avoid using wooden kitchen tools that aren't designated gluten-free. This includes salad bowls, tongs, spoons, cutting boards, etc. Wood is porous and can "hold" gluten causing cross-contamination (2).
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Use a set of gluten-free kitchen tools (if possible) when preparing celiac-friendly meals. The gluten-free tools should be washed separately using a gluten-free cloth, stored in a separate location from other dishes, and labelled appropriately.
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Have a gluten-free cutting board used only for preparing gluten-free meals.
Toaster
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Avoid placing gluten-free bread in a shared toaster (2). Bits of breadcrumbs are often held in the toaster and easily expose gluten-free bread to contamination.
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Purchase a separate toaster (if possible) and use it to toast only gluten-free foods. You can also toast your bread on a designated gluten-free pan using butter or oil.
Condiments
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Have separate condiments that are designated gluten-free to avoid accidental contamination with utensils that may be used to spread on gluten-containing foods. If a condiment comes in a squirt bottle, it can be safely shared if used appropriately.
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Use a separate butter dish for gluten-free cooking (2).
Kitchen Counter
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Designate a separate area of the counter top for preparing only gluten-free foods (2).
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Check that the counter space being used to prepare foods is free of crumbs or dust of flour.
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Clean the counter top regularly to keep your kitchen safe and gluten-free.
Kitchen Equipment
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Wash equipment such as pots and pans thoroughly before cooking gluten-free foods (2).
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Have a separate strainer designated for gluten-free pasta to ensure you are minimizing your risk of contamination.
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Ensure baking equipment is well scrubbed before use. If possible, consider separate gluten-free baking equipment and use paper muffin liners.
References
1. Bascuñán K, Catalina Vespa M, Araya M. Celiac disease: understanding the gluten-free diet. Eur J Nutr 2017;56:449-459.
2. Canadian Celiac Association. Getting Started on the Gluten-free Diet. https://www.celiac.ca/living-gluten-free/newly-diagnosed/; 2020 [accessed 15.12.2020]