Hidden Ingredient Scares

[lauraads]

Just wanted to share with you what happened to me last night in case any of you are sushi or rice eaters.

I do not go out to eat out much with all my food allergies, IC, yeast, and GI problems. What a pain! My sister picked an 'out of my safe network' restaurant. Gee, we called in advance and talked to the Exec chef and knew I could eat a protein. I went in and got salmon, no problem, and broccoli plain, no problem. I need a starch due to my GI problems these days and all they had was sushi rice which he promised me was plain.

So....about three bites into the sushi rice I am sure there is something other than rice in there. Everyone at the table is saying, "Well sushi rice is sweeter than regular rice." So, the waiter goes and checks and comes back and apologizes -- not only does the sushi rice have sugar water added to it but it also has rice wine vinegar.

Great. Allergic to sugar and avoid vinegar because of what it does to my bladder. Needless to say, I am still flaring.

Watch out for hidden ingredients, even when you ask, and if you eat sushi, be careful of that rice! I am not going to be afraid to 'triple' confirm ingredients in the future!!

[lauraads]

I also wanted to share another side of it. I recently found out about this all natural flavored water on this elist. I couldn't find it in my area and the website does not list ingredients so I emailed them about ingredients. They told me the Pear Water only had pear and water. I emailed back and said, "Thanks; many times pear beverages have grape or apple in them."

Anyway, I bit the bullet and bought watermelon water and pear water cases. When they came I took one small sip of one. I had a hell of a day-long flare as a result. The bottle says, "purified water, pear, and other natural flavors." Wasn't worried as I have bought Knudsen pear and the 'natural flavors' are pear. I do not know what is in this water that they didn't tell me about but my bladder knows there is something in it besides pear and water! It is supposed to be all natural but it tastes artificial to me. When I recovered I tasted the other and had the same reaction. I will try one more time once I recover from the sushi rice.

But, I think they will be getting an email from me about why they mislead on ingredients. I don't appreciate having $88 of water I can't drink!! Especially when it was the co-owner who responded to my email herself! I'll share if it was a fluke and I can drink it but with two tests down it doesn't look good!

PLEASE NOTE: The only reason I shared this was not to put down the company as I know some have posted they can drink it (notice I didn't print the company name). I posted this only to say, 'Always take a tiny taste, even when you think it is safe if it is new to you.' With how bad I reacted to one sip, I cannot imagine what would have happened if I believed what I was told and drank the whole thing!

[MiLynn]

I'm terrified to try new things for this exact reason. If it isn't real basic ingredients, I usually will just put it down.

Sorry you're not feeling well :hug:.

[bluetou]

I am so sorry for your flare experience. And what a bugger to dish out such an expense on a special treat, and only for it to arrive and flare you...ugh! that is upsetting. I am sorry.

I too am scared to try anything new. I never eat out (but this is no loss as I never ate out anyway).....but I do love the odd power bar or organic treat bars...and NOW I am scared to try them for fear of flaring....

peace
blue

[Briza]

Yes, rice used for sushi has vinegar in it...I did not know that until I made sushi at home myself! Luckily this was before I had any IC symptoms so at the time it was not an issue.
The plain steamed rice as a side dish usually does not contain vinegar. THere is only one, but VERY good, sushi restaurant in my small town. Since I got IC, knowing that sushi rice has vinegar in it, they have been very kind in accomadating my request that any sushi or rolls that I may order that have rice in them be made with the regular steamed rice. I have not noticed any difference in taste nor has the rice provoked symptoms if I ask for the regular plain steamed rice to be used instead of the usual sushi rice. Thank goodness b/c I luv sushi!!!
But then there some other food issues for ICers when eating at Japanese restuarants: tofu, miso soup, edamame, soy sauce, wasabi, pickled ginger...I am ok with tofu and edamame, but have had some problems with miso soup and soy sauce. If I am having NO symptoms I can get away with a little bit of either with no problems usually. Wasabe, tho very spicy, I seem to be ok with, but I am still careful as to the amount I use. The pickled ginger I can have a slice or two of without problems but I try my best to limit that as I do with soy sauce and miso soup.
Laura, I am sorry for the large investment you made into those flavored pear drink products... you are correct, tho, that natual flavorings may be apple juice or some other juice we might not be able to tolerate. Big bad on the company's part that when you spoke to one of the owners that she did not disclose accurate and true info regarding the products!!! Take care!