Coeliac Sufferer served gluten in food pub

Hi there

My daughter told me that a new fish restaurant had opened that was advertising gluten free meals so she took me out for lunch. Later in the afternoon I became ill and fell asleep but was nauseous for the rest of the day. I was diagnosed in 1998 so recognised the signs immediately. While I was asleep, my daughter phoned the restaurant up and it transpired that although they used GF ingredients they did not cook the food separately and used the same oil etc that they had cooked non GF food. She complained and they discontinued the GF menu.We took no further action but if they had continued with the menu I would have taken further action.

I am relatively newly diagnosed also. I have found problems with eating out too. The majority of the time, if I check with the restaurant in advance that they are able to prepare a meal suitable for me, I can eat out without becoming sick. But sometimes unfortunately even if you have done everything right, mistakes still happen! Some restaurant staff have no understanding of the contamination issues surrounding gluten. So I find that eating out, unless it's at a designated gluten free restaurant is always a bit like playing russian roulette. But you don't really want to miss out on social events. I find myself ordering very plain foods that the staff could hardly get wrong like jacket potatoes, salads, rice, grilled chicken, fish and meat etc. with no sauces.

I personally feel eating out is a bit of a gamble. I've had a few shocking experiences including been offered a 'Gluten free side salad' and when it came i asked the waiter if that was couscous on my plate to which he smiled and said yes! In another place i was asking in detail about their gluten free options and whether the fried in the same oil for gluten items. The waitress checked with the chef and reported back that 'the chef said the heat of the oil KILLS THE GLUTEN"!! People just don't know. I don't think places realise the legal gamble they're talking by stating their food is gluten free though. I do wonder if you could have a possible legal case.

I think we're likely to see some legal cases which will follow an increasing number of disclaimers on menus stating no meals can be guaranteed to be gf.

I personally hate eating out and i don't even know for sure if I'm coeliac. I am super careful with my food but know myself just how easy it is to accidentally spread crumbs for use the wrong knife.

Hi there

I had the same problem with salad recently and this was in a restaurant that i've been going to for quite a while and I trusted them. They bought a salad dressing and assured me it was GF and I used it. Again felt ill later on and when I checked with them they had used soy sauce in the dressing instead of Tamari. I suppose they can't be as clued up as we are but it doesn't take much to check a label. Soy sauce always states 'wheat flour'. Trouble is even places that know us, change staff or employ temps in the busy season

Hello there. Qualified chef and fellow sufferer here. I work for a very well known chain within the uk. Legally, all restaurants have to provide nutritional information on all meals that are prepared on the premises. This is now including all drinks! If you ask the waitress or manager about any info regarding any meals and they are uncertain.... They must provide yourself with a nutritional leaflet. Yes it is hard to ensure zero cross contamination within a food prep area. That is a risk which is being taken. However if you was served a meal containing gluten when they said was GF, then you have a case. As this is false advertising or shows lack of knowledge within the kitchen team. My advise would be if this was to happen again, as soon as you get symptoms, contact the restaurant, they are legally obliged to investigate. If they state otherwise, then get in contact with your local EHO office. They will not take this lightly, and will conduct a full investigation. Hope this helps.