<<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
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