Is It Safe to Eat The Airline’s Gluten-free Food?
An increasing number of airlines are now offering gluten-free meals and snacks. But if you’re living with celiac disease, the risk of food cross-contamination is always a worry. Allergic Living asked some leading members of the celiac community for their thoughts on the big question of whether: to eat or not to eat at 35,000 feet.
As well, Allergic Living recently polled the airlines about gluten-free food offered (or not) in our Comparing Airlines Chart.
1. Karina Allrich, of the Gluten-free Goddess blog
Allergic Living: Karina, as you must adhere to a strict gluten-free diet to manage celiac disease, will you eat the gluten-free meals offered by some airlines?
KA: I never trust airlines to get it right. I buy a banana at the airport and a bottle of water. After years of suffering with celiac disease, taking the risk doesn’t tempt me at all.
I’ll be hungry, yes. But better to travel hungry than get sick on a flight.
2. Alice Bast, president and founder of the National Foundation for Celiac Awareness (NFCA):
AL: Should people with celiac disease trust the airlines’ meals? Or is it better to bring your own food?
AB: No matter which mode of travel, we always recommends that individuals with celiac disease or non-celiac gluten sensitivity bring their own food. There are many variables in travel – flight delays, gate changes, etc. – so it is always best to be prepared.
Recently, I was traveling and was served a “gluten-free” meal that listed malt flavoring as an ingredient! So, it is always best to take caution and examine your meals carefully, including any ingredient labels.
AL: Are you concerned about cross-contamination in big airline or caterers’ kitchens?
AB: Cross-contamination can be a risk in any kitchen where gluten-containing ingredients are used. Proper protocols can reduce that risk, but they must be followed carefully and consistently.
AL: Does NFCA know of any airline programs in place to prevent cross-contamination?
AB: We have not had any airlines complete our GREAT Kitchens program, but we would love to take our gluten-free training to the sky!
Next: Gluten-free Girl, frequent flyer Gluten Free Mike
Karen Kurokawa
I don’t fly domestically that often but do fly internationally. The biggest problem for me is finding a “free-from” meal that addresses both my celiac & soy/dairy allergy needs. (It’s interesting to find out that Air France has a completely allergen-free option.) On the positive side, Lufthansa has taken my needs quite seriously, even once holding a flight’s departure to make sure a meal for me made it onto the flight. (Yes, one should always double-check at the gate.) On the negative side, United has no meal that addresses multiple issues and their gluten-free meals tend to rely heavily on soy and dairy. They also tend to “forget” the gluten-free meal quite often. The one time I flew Turkish Airlines, they “forgot” too, despite several pre-flight confirmations of this request. So these days I do pack my own food always. I recommend carrying a note from your doctor explaining your special dietary needs so the TSA and/or other inspection entities will permit such carry-ons as small containers of yoghurt, etc. Honestly, most of the time other travelers are eyeing my food with envy and I often end up sharing! It’s a nice way to meet interesting people.