<<Disclaimer: Verify this information before applying it to your situation.>>

My orginal post regarding this is below.  Unfortunately, I received only a few responses.  No one had any actual data to validate the safety or lack there-of of these cups for Celiacs.  Responders all felt that it would be in a Celiac's best interest to request a "regular" cup rather than a compostable cup.  I will let the coffee house know of the concern so that they can be sure to make their sign regarding the cups stand out so their gluten-free and wheat-free customers will be aware of it.

----- Original Message ----- 

> First, my recommendation:
>
> I was in Boulder Colorado this past weekend to visit a friend and =
> discovered a lovely little coffee house called Folsom Street Coffee =
> Company.  Their web address is http://www.folsomstreetcoffee.com/.  Not =
> only do they make great coffees and teas and are an eco-friendly coffee =
> house, which appeals to me, but they carry delicious gluten-free =
> muffins/cupcakes and cookies from a local company called Amazing Grains. =
> I checked their website - http://www.amazinggrainsbakery.com/ - and =
> their gluten-free products do not appear to be listed on their web site. =
> However, the staff at Folsom Street Coffee Co is very aware of Celiac =
> Disease (as, it seems, are most dining establishments in Boulder!) and =
> stated that the gluten-free products are definitely identified as =
> gluten-free by Amazing Grains.  The chocolate muffin/cupcake with =
> frosting that I had was moist and absolutely delicious and my friend - =
> who can eat anything - said it rivaled anything made with wheat.  I =
> suspect that there may be a cross-contamination issue, since the company =
> also makes wheat-based products and the gluten-free products are shelved =
> in the same display case in the coffee shop as the wheat-based products. =
> However, I felt no ill effects (I am not super-sensitive to gluten); in =
> fact, I felt almost euphoric, but that was probably just from the =
> chocolate fix and feeling like a "normal" person.  I highly recommend =
> both the gluten-free Amazing Grains products - they sell them at other =
> locations in Boulder, but it appears they don't sell them outside of =
> Boulder or online - and the Folsom Street Coffee Company.  I have no =
> affiliation with either, I just want to get the word out about some =
> great products and a great coffee house for anyone visiting Boulder or =
> living in the area.
>
> Now, on to my question:
>
> My one concern about Folsom Street Coffee Company is that because they =
> are an eco-friendly coffee shop, they use compostable cups for their =
> cold to-go drinks (hot drinks still go in regular recyclable cups).  =
> These compostable cups are made from corn- or wheat-starch.  When I saw =
> the sign announcing the use of these products I became a bit concerned =
> for those who are intolerant or allergic to wheat and/or corn, so I want =
> to pose this question to all of you and pass the information back to the =
> coffee house... Is the corn- or wheat-starch in the cups a concern for =
> those who are particularly intolerant or allergic to these grains?  If =
> you feel it is a concern, please provide me with actual data - personal =
> experience, documentation of studies, etc - to back up your concern.  =
> According to the web sites of wheat cutlery companies =
> (http://www.earthwarebiodegradables.com/products-w.html and =
> http://www.grassrootsstore.com/index.asp?PageAction=3DVIEWPROD&ProdID=3D3=
> 00), "It is also completely safe for people suffering from gluten =
> allergies and celiac disease" and "Non-GMO wheat-based tableware + =
> gluten free."  Does anyone know of any studies that can back up this =
> claim?  I would like to let the coffee house know either way, whether =
> they should warn people that there could be a problem if they are =
> sensitive to these grains or whether they can assure people that studies =
> have proven that these products are "completely safe" and "gluten-free". =
> I can not locate any information online, so I thought someone on this =
> list might have such information available to them.  Thanks in advance =
> for your assistance.
>
> ~Tamara in Sacramento, CA

* Send administrative questions to mailto:[log in to unmask] *
Archives are at: Http://Listserv.icors.org/SCRIPTS/WA-ICORS.EXE?LIST=CELIAC