The Problem With Strawberries

[dilettantesteph]

Check this out. This might be why some people are having problems with strawberries:

Open Original Shared Link

[lizard00]

At the risk of seeming argumentative, this article's origin is French. A quick google search titled wheat based shelf extenders pulled up only this article.

Is this something being practiced in the US?

[DarkIvy]

That's so scary!

I wonder if they would have to mark fruits that they use this kind of coating with. I mean, wheat is a major allergen and the FDA is supposedly making everyone mark this kind of stuff. But it's not like most fruit has labels to mark it on...

What exactly is that website though? I don't speak French so there's no way for me to understand. Is it an English article on a French site, or was it just translated? Is this something that occurs in France or in the US or what??

[jerseyangel]

I've never heard of coating fruits with gluten to keep them fresh--not that it doesn't happen but I've just never heard of it.

Here's a discussion on the subject of strawberries--

Open Original Shared Link

[blueeyedmanda]

I too have not heard of coating strawberries.

[dilettantesteph]

I was obviously trolling the internet. There is also this one that is pretty scary. It is about the U.S. gluten industry finding more uses for wheat gluten.

www.smallgrains.org/springwh/mar99/import.htm

What they do for money!

[spunky]

well that's not a happy thought!

I would hope if, after this study, IF they ever did begin extending shelf-life of fruits with a gluten coating they would indicate so for the consumer.

I guess buying frozen fruits/veggies might be an alternative if this ever does get to be a concern... that, or the best possible thing: find local producers and buy straight from the farm.

I've read similar studies in which gluten carriers were tested for coating roasted nuts with spices... that's even more worrisome, in that the label could conceivably just say "spices," one would think...

These are just experiements in food preseveration for now, though, aren't they?????

[spunky]

Yes, I've also read of the Wheat Council and other such proponents of wheat growers seeking new ways to use their products and leftover stuff from their products.

I've read that the Wheat Council is slowly trying to get the Asian Market less interested in rice and rice products, and more interested in breads, wheat noodles, etc. This might be true, since the store where we used to buy Asian rice noodles now seems to sell more and more wheat noodles and fewer kinds of rice noodles.

I hope we are guaranteed the protection of labeling laws and consumers' rights to know what we are buying, if this trend continues.

[MaryJones2]

I have heard of this and read the article referenced. There are several products on the market designed to extend the shelf life of fresh foods. They are called edible films and can be made from all sorts of offensive grains (corn, soy, wheat, etc.). Here is an article by CSA Celiacs on the subject.

Open Original Shared Link

[jerseyangel]

Wow--I now wonder if the white-ish coating on "baby carrots" may contain such a thing. I get a reaction every time I try to use them. Whole, fresh carrots, frozen--and even canned are fine, so I know it isn't the carrot itself.

[Lisa]

I have heard of this and read the article referenced. There are several products on the market designed to extend the shelf life of fresh foods. They are called edible films and can be made from all sorts of offensive grains (corn, soy, wheat, etc.). Here is an article by CSA Celiacs on the subject.

Open Original Shared Link

To quote the CSA statement:

"Use of such films as coatings on foods must be declared appropriately to the consumer, no matter how small the amount used. "

[jerseyangel]

I see that now that I've read the article again. There is something with those carrots for me, though--maybe the equipment that processes them? Who knows.....probably my equipment

[Mango04]

I see that now that I've read the article again. There is something with those carrots for me, though--maybe the equipment that processes them? Who knows.....probably my equipment

I read somewhere that baby carrots are soaked in a chemical bath of some sort. Can't remember the source though - I just remember that I stopped eating them a couple years ago after reading about it.

[jerseyangel]

I read somewhere that baby carrots are soaked in a chemical bath of some sort. Can't remember the source though - I just remember that I stopped eating them a couple years ago after reading about it.

Thanks Mango--I'm pretty reactive, so maybe it's that.

[Lisa]

Thanks Mango--I'm pretty reactive, so maybe it's that.

Open Original Shared Link

Patti, this is an article about carrots as an irritant and dermatitus. Thought it was interesting.

This one's even better:

Open Original Shared Link

[MaryJones2]

To quote the CSA statement:

"Use of such films as coatings on foods must be declared appropriately to the consumer, no matter how small the amount used. "

I saw that too and wondered though how you declare it on fresh produce that isn't sold in a package with a label like squash, tomatoes, lettuce, corn, etc. Most grocery stores take the produce out of the box and I would think the box would be the only place you'd find a declaration. Once I get a little time I was planning on emailing a few companies to see if I could get some clarification.

I should also add that in the grand scheme of things that we should be concerned about this isn't one of the biggies. I always wash my produce thoroughly.

[jerseyangel]

Open Original Shared Link

Patti, this is an article about carrots as an irritant and dermatitus. Thought it was interesting.

This one's even better:

Open Original Shared Link

Very interesting--thanks LB

[ravenwoodglass]

I saw that too and wondered though how you declare it on fresh produce that isn't sold in a package with a label like squash, tomatoes, lettuce, corn, etc. Most grocery stores take the produce out of the box and I would think the box would be the only place you'd find a declaration. Once I get a little time I was planning on emailing a few companies to see if I could get some clarification.

I should also add that in the grand scheme of things that we should be concerned about this isn't one of the biggies. I always wash my produce thoroughly.

I shop at Wegmans, I don't think they are in your area, what they do is to put signs up in the produce dept that declare what has been applied to fruits and veggies. Stores now have to tell us what the country of origin is for our meats so hopefully soon there will have to be full disclosure on preservatives and coating in our fruits and veggies too. One more reason IMHO to shop local grown produce as much as possible, I could be wrong but I think these have less of the coatings on them because they don't need to travel all over the country or the world.

[GFqueen17]

wow. this is scary. and im already paranoid about my food enough as it is...but now to have to worry about fresh fruits and veggies too?! it makes me angry.

[MaryJones2]

I shop at Wegmans, I don't think they are in your area, what they do is to put signs up in the produce dept that declare what has been applied to fruits and veggies. Stores now have to tell us what the country of origin is for our meats so hopefully soon there will have to be full disclosure on preservatives and coating in our fruits and veggies too. One more reason IMHO to shop local grown produce as much as possible, I could be wrong but I think these have less of the coatings on them because they don't need to travel all over the country or the world.

No we don't have Wegmans down south. It's a real shame. I shop at Harry's Farmers Market and they always list the country of origin, whether or not it's organic, non-GMO, local, etc. on produce but don't list anything else. The meat and fish will specify country of origin, farm raised or wild, color added, etc. They are very gluten friendly so I am hopeful that I'll see that soon.

[lovegrov]

I for one do not and will not owrry about fruits and vegetables. I see no evidence wheat is being used this way. As for the CSA article, the info came from something that's 11 years old.

richard