Gluten in Soup at Grand Canyon's El Tovar Hotel Injured L.A. Man, Lawsuit Claims

On 4/29/2019 at 11:19 AM, roocat said:

I believe I read about this case previously. My guess (and that's all it is), is that he verified that the soup base was gluten-free, but that, instead of prepping him a new bowl, they simply took the crouton off an existing bowl. If that crouton sat on the soup for any length of time at all, the soup would have been contaminated with crumbs. That being said, I think he's over-reacting. Short of a totally gluten-free restaurant, you take a risk every time you eat out, no matter how much you confirm things with the wait staff and the kitchen. You need to think about what you're ordering, and what the likelihood is that it may be contaminated. I, personally, would never order French Onion Soup, or anything else traditionally prepared with a large slice of bread in liquid, anywhere other than a totally gluten-free place. Having said that, "severe and permanenent personal injuries?" Really? I doubt it. Unless he has refractory celiac or is newly diagnosed, in which case eating out anywhere would likely be considered a very bad idea, his celiac should be manageable. Uncomfortable until his gut calms down and other symptoms abate? Yes. Perhaps embarrassed and annoyed at having this reaction at the hotel? Certainly. Angry at the restaurant staff? Undoubtedly. But assuming his celiac was already well controlled through diet, one incident won't redamage his gut to the extent it no doubt was prior to diagnosis. He should drop the suit, get back on his diet and let his gut calm down, and get on with life.

I agree totally with roocat.  Is celiac annoying, frustrating, depressing and issue prone sometimes?   Of course.  But there are many, many more severe and debilitating diseases we could be dealing with.  I am thankful I only have Celiac.  Shame on him for trying to get rich over this.   

On 4/29/2019 at 6:03 PM, roocat said:

people, who are only eating gluten-free because it makes them feel special, or because it's "clean" or some-such thing, create problems for everyone who eats gluten-free out of medical necessity.

It is no one's business why I choose gluten free. I appreciate anyone who eats gluten free, with or without a medical license. The more people ask for gluten free, the more familiar the staff becomes with the concept and the more likely it is to actually be gluten free and not just a catchphrase taught at the 15 minute pre shift meeting. You don't have to be Jewish to eat Kosher and you should not have to have Celiac Disease to eat gluten free.