<<Disclaimer: Verify this information before applying it to your situation.>>
Hi. I found a source on the internet which states that Charcoal
Briquettes may contain wheat starch.
http://www.kashrus.org/kosher/pesach/pesach2.html
The starch is used to bind the briquettes. Other starches maybe used
instead by some companies.
I looked this up because I went to a work picnic yesturday and have
been coughing up mucous since yesturday afternoon, and my right eye
turned beet red about two hours after the gathering. I stood next to the
grill for a good half hour because I talked to the grill man while waiting for
my gluten free food to grill on a piece of foil. I believe the smoke from the
briquettes is probably the reason for the extreme eye redness and the
cough which started yesturday after the picnic (within an hour of the
picnic). I ate only fresh fruits, vegetables, and 100% steak burger, so I
did not ingest anything containing gluten.
I saw a reference in the archives about the briquettes about whether the
wheat could transfer to the food. The sprue-nik press said it was
uncertain. However, there was no discussion on the smoke mentioned
and whether this could be dangerous for celiacs. I am going to avoid
going near them again.
Abigail
[log in to unmask]