Gluten allergy and Coffee issue

[feenie]

Today I found out that the Au Bon Pain that is in our hospital puts Bread in the coffee filter before they add the grinds to help slow the drip.
This seems like a very poor idea to me, because people with gluten allergies/intolerances will be exposed and not know it. (not to mention a variety of other allergies depending on the ingredients of the bread)

Has anyone ever heard of this before? My co-worker who saw the girl do it, said that this can be a fairly common practice. (I'm assuming its a cost saving tool?)

We have God Children with severe food allergies so I tend to be sensitive about things like this, but it just seems like such a bad idea to me.

 

[bicker]

Never heard anything about it... maybe someone is pulling your leg. That's just the kind of thing that the BoH would slam an eatery for. Either that, or someone at one specific store is doing the wrong thing, and simply hasn't gotten caught yet.

 

[fimac]

If you are avoiding gluten i would assume that Au Bon Pain Coffee was contaminated one way or another. I have not heard of any one putting bread in coffee filters even on the celiac boards, but you can always ask the staff.

There is a Martha Stewart tip about cleaning coffee grinders by using bread.

 

[feenie]

I would assume its a location specific thing too, but my co-worker who saw the person making the coffee is someone with a gluten intolernance, so she was very suprised.
She is not a coffee drinker though, so she's fine

 

[dzorn]

I would assume its a location specific thing too, but my co-worker who saw the person making the coffee is someone with a gluten intolernance, so she was very suprised.
She is not a coffee drinker though, so she's fine

Did she complain to the manager? I would write corporate as the nutritional info does not indicate it.

Glad your friend is fine, but she might want to say something to so others are not harmed.

Denise in MI

Cross contamination is one issue but they are purposely adding allergins.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Wow that is freaky. Just when you thought you heard everything.

 

[Agri]

This is the first time I've heard of it, too.

I don't have to avoid gluten, but I still wouldn't get their coffee. The idea of drinking something strained through bread is beyond gross to me. (Another concern would also be the fact that they likely do not use the freshest bread and a lot of people who are allergic or sensitive to penicillin could have a reaction, too. Bread mold isn't always easily visible when it first starts up.)

I'd complain and let others know. That's stupid and dangerous anywhere, much less at a hospital!!