Celiac Disease Awareness Month: What Dedicated Gluten Free Means
In honor of May being Celiac Disease Awareness Month, I’m sharing a few posts on topics that could use a bit more attention, a little boost in understanding. Today I wanted to share about the term Dedicated Gluten Free and what that means.
There are two places this term is used most often: a restaurant or bakery and on packaged, labeled products sold in a store.
Labeled Products
Let’s talk first about those packaged, labeled products. When you see “Made in a Dedicated Gluten-Free Facility” on a label, it should mean that the product is made in a facility where there is no gluten present. It does not mean that equipment is washed between gluten-containing and gluten-free batches of the same product. (That’s another topic worth discussing…)
It means there is no gluten in the facility ever. It’s not the same thing as a product being certified gluten-free, which may also happen in a dedicated facility. But also it doesn’t have to be in a dedicated gluten-free facility. If you are new to this whole gluten-free eating thing, I can see how this would be confusing. Dedicated facility means no gluten, full stop.
Dedicated Restaurants and Bakeries
Next, let’s talk about restaurants and bakeries that are dedicated gluten-free. These are businesses who never use gluten, period. Not that they make gluten-free and also gluten-full versions, not that they use separate pans to cook gluten-free orders. Nope, that’s not what this means. It means that there is never, ever, ever any gluten in their entire business. They are a gem, a place where we can feel safe dining out or having a treat. The photo above in this post in a recent dinner I enjoyed from Bibibop, which is a dedicated gluten-free restaurant. I can safely eat there without having to ask a million questions, deal with annoyed servers and not worry about being glutened.
I hope this is helpful in understanding what “dedicated” means in the gluten-free realm. If it’s helpful to you, please considering sharing with those who you share food with so they can support you in finding the best options.
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