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Thanks to the many people who responded to my post regarding a gluten
reaction from eating ice cream scooped at Baskin-Robbins.

Many people responded that cross-contamination was entirely possible,
which was reassuring. (I'm never too sure with potential cross-
contamination scenarios that I think of whether or not they have ventured
too far from reality.) But I have been reassured that cross-contamination,
either from cones breaking or from the scoop carrying non-GF ice cream
into the GF ice cream, etc., are completely possible.  A few people with
experience working in Baskin-Robbins or Ben & Jerry's were especially
confirming that this is not only possible, but very likely.

Several suggested I might have lactose intolerance or casein allergy. I
should have been more clear in my post; I regularly drink milk and eat
cheese with no problem, so I don't think that's the culprit.

One person suggested a soy reaction. I'll look into the ingredients of the
flavors I've tried (chocolate, strawberry) and see if they contain soy. I
have wondered recently if I might be sensitive to soy; my son has a severe
allergy to it.

Several people said that they and their celiac children eat out ice cream
frequently, including at Baskin-Robbins, with no problem. But another
person said she had the same experience as I did just the other day, at a
Baskin-Robbins.

A few people said that they avoid eating ice cream out altogether, because
of the cross-contamination issues. I fear this may be the direction I'm
heading in.

Several people suggested trying Dairy Queen, whose soft serve ice cream is
gluten-free. I'll do that the next time we're traveling, but our
neighborhood only has B-R, and no DQ for miles. It does seem like the
potential for cross-contamination would be much lower with soft-serve ice
cream, where there's no scoop involved. I have been able to eat the sundae
at McDonald's with no problem, so that's an option too.

Last, but not least, here's my favorite reply:
I swear, Kim, it doesn't get easier to follow the GF diet; it gets harder!

I think I'm going to write a book, 1001 WAY TO GET GLUTENATED.

Thanks again to all of you for your kind and helpful responses!

Kim in Chicago

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