Childhood Risks of Gluten Contamination: Straw Rides
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Oct 24 2011

Childhood Risks of Gluten Contamination: Straw Rides

Now that the colder weather has hit and we are smack in the middle of Fall, the usual events and invites are popping up for the kids.  Thanksgiving just passed here in Canada and Halloween is coming up and that brings to mind one event that happens at least once a year.

Straw rides and pumpkin fields.

Earlier this week when Big P and Princess R got home from school they had a permission slip in their bags for the first field trip of the year.  They were on their way to a popular activity in the Fall – a pumpkin patch. To pick their own pumpkins, run the corn maze and to go on straw wagon rides. At first I though the kids would have an awesome time.

Then it dawned on me.

Straw is made out of grain stalk – specifically either wheat, barley, oats or rye. The grains are removed and the stem is left over but the cross-contamination risk is huge.  I called the farm to confirm that they use wheat stalk and confirmed they do, making it not possible for my kids to go on the field trip – or to school that day.

I don’t know what made me think of this contamination risk. There is not a whole lot of information out there about this risk and while I am not 100% sure this is a risk – it makes sense to me – especially for someone with such a high sensitivity to gluten.

:: Have you taken you child or yourself on a straw ride? Did you react? ::

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Article Written by:

Devan McGuinness is a gluten free mom to 3 kids and an advocate for celiac disease and the gluten free lifestyle. Diagnosed with celiac disease in 2007 and her second child diagnosed in 2009, Devan is passionate about advocating for safe food and awareness for fellow Canadians with celiac disease, gluten allergy and gluten intolerance. A go-to person for the newly diagnosed, Devan eases the minds of those faced with the new life-long diet and even has a trick or two for the gluten free veterans. Tweet me at @AccustomedChaos or join me on Facebook.

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  • Stephanie

    I have always reacted to “hayrides”. I had asthma and allergies before I knew I had Celiac so it has bothered me for a lot of reasons. Unfortunately, I can’t tell you how I would react if I only had Celiac or wheat/gluten sensitivity. I will say that I have had to change hygiene products because of it so this makes sense that it would be a problem.

  • Steph P.

    I would think that if your kids were allergic to wheat, it might bother them. But if they’re gluten-intolerant or celiac they would have to injest the wheat straw for it to cause a reaction.

  • Aleka

    I have taken “hayrides” since I was diagnosed with Celiac. I am ultra-sensitive to ingesting gluten yet had no gluten reaction. I doubt I rode on wheat because they don’t grow it in this part of New Hampshire, or at all. I certainly had hayfever-like reaction from the mold. I took a shower and washed my clothes as soon as I got home.

  • Robin

    WOW! I only just realized the reason I had to have a shot every week before riding horseback! If only I had been diagnosed way back then it would have saved me many agonizing years! Now it finally all makes sense to me.

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