What Foods Contain Gluten? What Ingredients Contain Gluten?
People requiring a gluten-free diet must avoid foods that contain, or are derived from, wheat, rye, barley (and sometimes oats). You must get into the habit of carefully reading and understanding food product labels. It may not always be obvious if ingredients contain gluten or have the possibility of being contaminated with gluten during processing. If in doubt, don’t be afraid to call the manufacturer with any questions (a customer service phone number is often noted on the label). Currently, the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) is in the process of determining rules for gluten-free food labeling to help the consumer make informed decisions. In the meantime, people diagnosed with celiac disease or gluten-sensitivity need to remain vigilant when food shopping and eating out. By the way, did you know that gluten can be found in some non-food products as well?
Here, we have assembled a safety guide to common foods and ingredients.
OK — Does not contain gluten
MUST CHECK — May or may not contain gluten
NO — Definitely contains gluten
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y (Z)
Abyssinian Hard (Wheat triticum durum) - NO
Acacia Gum - OK
Acesulfame Potassium - OK
Acetic Acid - OK
Acorn Flour - OK
Adipic Acid - OK
Adzuki Bean - OK
Agar - OK
Agave - OK
Alcohol - MUST CHECK
Ale - NO
Alfafa - OK
Algae - OK
Algin - OK
Alginate - OK
Almond Nut - OK
Alum - OK
Aluminum - OK
Amaranth - OK
AMP Isostearoyl - NO
Annatto - OK
Apple Cider Vinegar - OK
Arabic Gum - OK
Arrowroot - OK
Artichokes - OK
Artificial Coloring - MUST CHECK
Artificial Flavoring - MUST CHECK
Ascorbic Acid - OK
Aspartame - OK (can cause IBS symptoms)
Aspic - OK
Astragalus Gummifer - OK
Atta - NO
Baking Soda - OK
Baking Powder - MUST CHECK (some brands may use wheat starch)
Balsamic Vinegar - OK
Barley - NO
Barley Flakes - NO
Barley Flour - NO
Barley Grass - NO
Barley Malt - NO
Barley Malt Extract - NO
Barley Malt Flavoring - NO
Barley Malt Syrup - NO
Barley Pearl - NO
Beans - OK
Bean Flour - OK
Bean Threads - OK
Beer - NO (unless specifically labeled gluten-free)
Benzoic Acid - OK
Besan - OK
Beta Carotene - OK
Betaine - OK
BHA - OK
BHT - OK
Bicarbonate of Soda - MUST CHECK
Biotin - OK
Bleached Flour - NO
Blue Cheese - OK (if not made using wheat bread)
Bouillon Cubes - MUST CHECK (may contain wheat)
Bran - NO
Bread Flour - NO
Breading - NO
Brewer’s Yeast - NO
Broth - MUST CHECK (may contain wheat)
Brown Flour - NO
Brown Rice Syrup - MUST CHECK (often made from barley)
Brown Sugar - OK
Buckwheat - OK
Buckwheat Pasta - MUST CHECK (may contain wheat)
Bulgar Wheat - NO
Butter - OK
Butylated Hydroxyanisole - OK
Calcium Carbonate - OK
Calcium Caseinate - OK
Calcium Chloride - OK
Calcium Disodium EDTA - OK
Calcium Phosphate - OK
Camphor - OK
Candy - MUST CHECK (many brands have wheat flour or barley malt as an ingredient)
Canola Oil - OK
Caprylic Acid - OK
Caramel Color - MUST CHECK
Carboxymethylcellulose - OK
Carnauba Wax - OK
Carob - MUST CHECK (usually contains barley)
Carob Bean - OK
Carob Bean Gum - OK
Carob Flour - OK
Carotene - OK
Carrageenan - OK
Casein - OK
Cassava Manihot Esculenta - OK
Castor Oil - OK
Cellulose - MUST CHECK
Cellulose Gum - OK
Cereal Binding - NO
Cetyl Alcohol - OK
Chapatti - NO
Cheeses - MUST CHECK
Chestnut Flour - OK
Chicken Broth - MUST CHECK (may contain wheat)
Chickpea - OK
Chickpea Flour - OK
Chilton - NO
Chips - MUST CHECK (may contain gluten)
Chocolate - MUST CHECK (some brands have malt as a flavoring or wheat as an ingredient)
Cholum - OK
Chymosin - OK
Citric Acid - OK
Club Wheat - NO
Coating Mixes - MUST CHECK
Coffee - OK (but could have gluten if flavoring added)
Coloring - MUST CHECK (may use gluten during manufacture)
Collagen - OK
Common Wheat - NO
Communion Wafers - NO
Condiments - MUST CHECK
Corn - OK
Corn Bran - OK
Corn Cereal - MUST CHECK (can be flavored with barley malt)
Corn Flour - OK
Cornmeal - OK
Cornstarch - OK
Corn Syrup - OK
Cortisone - OK
Cottonseed Oil - OK
Couscous - NO
Cowpea - OK
Cowitch - OK
Cream of Tartar - OK
Curry - MUST CHECK (may contain wheat or wheat starch)
Dasheen - OK
Dates - MUST CHECK (safe off the tree, but are commonly dusted with wheat)
Deli Meats - MUST CHECK
Demineralized Whey - OK
Desamidocollagen - OK
Dextrimaltose - NO
Dextrin - MUST CHECK (may be derived from wheat)
Dextrose - OK
Dinkel - NO
Dioctyl Sodium - OK
Disodium Wheatgermamido Peg-2 Sulfosuccinate - NO
Distilled Vinegar - OK
Durum Wheat - NO
Dry Roasted Nuts - MUST CHECK
Eddo - OK
Edible Starch - MUST CHECK
Eggs - OK
Einkorn - NO
Elastin - OK
Emmer - NO
Ester Gum - OK
Ethyl Alcohol - OK
Ethyl Malton - OK
Farina - NO
Farina Graham - NO
Farro - NO
Ferrous Gluconate - OK
Filler - MUST CHECK
Fish, canned - OK
Fish, fresh - OK
Flaked Rice - OK
Flavoring - MUST CHECK (may use gluten in processing)
Flavors - MUST CHECK
Flax - OK
Flour - NO (unless gluten-free)
Folacin - OK
Folic Acid - OK
Food Starch - MUST CHECK (safe if made in USA)
Formaldehyde - OK
French Fries - MUST CHECK (may be coated with gluten or fried in oil that is used to also fry gluten-containing products)
Frostings - MUST CHECK (may contain gluten in flavorings)
Fructose - OK
Fruit, canned plain - OK
Fruit, fresh - OK
Fruit, frozen plain - OK
Fruit Juice - OK
Fu - NO
Fumaric Acid - OK
Garfava Flour - OK
Garbanzo Bean - OK
Garbanzo Flour - OK
Gelatin - OK
Germ - MUST CHECK
Glucono Delta Lactone - OK
Glucose - OK
Glucose Syrup - OK
Glutamate - OK
Glutamic Acid - OK
Glutamine - OK
Gluten Flour - NO
Glutinous Rice Flour - OK (also called sweet, sticky or sushi rice)
Glycerides - OK
Glycerol Monooleate - OK
Glycol - OK
Glycol Monostearate - OK
Glycolic Acid - OK
Graham Flour - NO
Gram Flour - MUST CHECK
Granary Flour - NO
Gravy Cubes - MUST CHECK (may use gluten during manufacture)
Grits - OK
Groats - MUST CHECK (source of grain may contain gluten)
Ground Spices - MUST CHECK (may use gluten as an ingredient or binder)
Guailac Gum - OK
Gum Arabic - OK
Hard Wheat - NO
Harina - NO
Hemp - OK
Herbs - OK
Hominy Grits - OK
Honey - OK
Hordeum Vulgare - NO
Hot Dogs - MUST CHECK (may have gluten-containing ingredients)
Hyacinth Bean - OK
Hydrogen Peroxide - OK
Hydrolyzed Soy Protein - OK
Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein (HVP) - MUST CHECK (need to determine source of protein)
Hydrolyzed Wheat Gluten - NO
Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein - NO
Hydrolyzed Wheat Starch - NO
Imitation Bacon - NO
Imitation Crab - NO
Imitation Fish Products - NO
Indian Ricegrass - OK
Inulin - OK
Invert Sugar - OK
Iodine - OK
Isomalt - OK
Jello - OK
Job’s Tears - OK
Jowar - OK
Jowari - OK
Kamut - NO
Karaya Gum - OK
Kasha - OK
Keratin - OK
Ketchup - OK
Kofu - NO
Kudzu Root Starch - OK
Kurkuma - OK
Lactic Acid - OK
Lactose - OK
Lanolin - OK
Lecithin - OK
Lentil - OK
Licorice - NO
Lipase - OK
Lipids - MUST CHECK
Locust Bean (Gum) - OK
Magnesium Carbonate - OK
Magnesium Hydroxide - OK
Maize - OK
Malic Acid - OK
Malt - NO
Malted Milk - NO
Malt Extract - NO
Malt Flavoring - NO
Maltitol - OK
Maltitol Syrup - OK
Maltodextrin - MUST CHECK (safe if made in USA or Canada)
Maltol - OK
Maltose - MUST CHECK (may use gluten as an ingredient)
Malt Syrup - NO
Malt Vinegar - NO
Manioc - OK
Mannitol - OK
Marinades - MUST CHECK (may contain soy sauce which which contains wheat)
Masa Flour - OK
Masa Harina - OK
Matcha - OK
Matzoh, Matzo, Matzah, Matza - NO
Matzoh Semolina - NO
Mayonnaise - OK
Meat, fresh - OK
Mesquite Flour - OK
Methyl Cellulose - OK
Microcrystalline Cellulose - OK
Milk, evaporated or condensed - OK
Milk, without flavorings - OK
Millet - OK
Milo - OK
Mineral Oil - OK
Mineral Salts - OK
Mir - NO
Miso - MUST CHECK (usually contains wheat or barley)
Modified Food Starch - MUST CHECK (safe if made in USA or Canada, except for Modified Wheat Starch)
Modified Wheat Starch - NO
Molasses - OK
Mono- and Diglycerides - MUST CHECK (safe if made in USA or Canada)
Monopotassium Phosphate - OK
Monosodium Glutamate (MSG) - MUST CHECK
Montina - OK
Montina Flour - OK
Mung Bean - OK
Musk - OK
Mustard Powder - MUST CHECK (may use gluten as an ingredient or during manufacture)
Natural Flavoring - MUST CHECK (source may contain gluten)
Niacin-Niacinamide - OK
Non-Dairy Beverages - MUST CHECK
Nut Flour - OK
Nuts, Flavored or Seasoned - MUST CHECK (flavorings or seasonings may contain gluten)
Nuts, Plain - OK
Oats - MUST CHECK
Oat Bran - MUST CHECK
Oat Flour - MUST CHECK
Oatmeal - MUST CHECK
Oils/Fats - OK
Oleyl Alcohol (oil) - OK
Oriental Wheat - NO
Orzo - NO
Papain - OK
Paraffin - OK
Pasta - MUST CHECK
Pea - OK
Pea Flour - OK
Pearl Barley - NO
Pectin - OK
Pepsin - OK
Persian Wheat - NO
Peru Balsam - OK
Petrolatum - OK
Phenylalanine - OK
Phenethylene Glycol - OK
Pigeon Peas - OK
Pinole Flour - OK
Polenta - OK
Polish Wheat - NO
Polyglycerol - OK
Polysorbates - OK
Potassium Citrate - OK
Potassium Iodide - OK
Potassium Sorbate - OK
Potato - OK
Potato Flour - OK
Potato Starch - OK
Poulard Wheat - NO
Prinus - OK
Pristane - OK
Propionic Acid - OK
Propolis - OK
Propylene Glycol - OK
Propylene Glycol Monostearate - OK
Propyl Gallate - OK
Psyllium - OK
Pyridoxine Hydrochloride - OK
Quinoa - OK (generally assumed)
Quinoa Flour - OK (generally assumed)
Ragi - OK
Rape - OK
Rennet - OK
Reticulin - OK
Retinol - OK
Rice Bran - OK
Rice, Brown - OK
Rice Cereal - MUST CHECK (may be flavored with barley malt)
Rice Flour - OK
Rice, Glutinous - OK
Rice Malt - MUST CHECK (may contain barley or koji)
Rice Pablum - MUST CHECK
Rice, Sweet - OK
Rice Syrup - MUST CHECK (may be made with barley malt enzymes)
Rice Vinegar - OK
Rice, White - OK
Romano Bean - OK
Rosin - OK
Roux - NO
Royal Jelly - OK
Rye - NO
Rye Bread - NO
Rye Flour - NO
Saccharin - OK
Sago Flour - OK
Sago Palm - OK
Saifun - OK
Salad Dressings - MUST CHECK
Sauces - MUST CHECK (may contain gluten ingredients)
Sausages - MUST CHECK (may have gluten-containing ingredients or flavorings)
Seafood, plain - OK (but imitation types must be checked)
Seasonings - MUST CHECK (may contain wheat or barley)
Seaweed - OK
Seed - OK (Except wheat, rye, barley & oats)
Seed, Sesame - OK
Seed, Sunflower - OK
Seitan - NO
Self-Basting Poultry - MUST CHECK
Semolina - NO
Semolina Triticum - NO
Shot Wheat - NO
Shoyu - MUST CHECK (may be made from wheat)
Silanetroil - NO
Silicon Dioxide - OK
Smoke Flavoring - MUST CHECK (may use gluten-containing ingredients)
Soba Flour - MUST CHECK (usually made from buckwheat but may also contain wheat as an ingredient)
Soba Noodles - MUST CHECK (may use gluten as an ingredient)
Sodium Acid Pyrophosphate - OK
Sodium Alginate - OK
Sodium Ascorbate - OK
Sodium Benzoate - OK
Sodium Caseinate - OK
Sodium Citrate - OK
Sodium Erythrobate - OK
Sodium Hexametaphosphate - OK
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate - OK
Sodium Metabisulphite - OK
Sodium Nitrate - OK
Sodium Phosphate - OK
Sodium Silicoaluminate - OK
Sodium Stannate - OK
Sodium Sulphite - OK
Sorbate - OK
Sorbic Acid - OK
Sorbitol-Mannitol - OK (but may cause IBS symptoms)
Sorghum - OK
Sorghum Flour - OK
Soups - MUST CHECK (ingredients or thickeners may contain gluten)
Soy - OK
Soy Bean - OK
Soy Flour - OK
Soy Lecithin - OK
Soy Milk - MUST CHECK (may contain barley)
Soy Pablum - MUST CHECK
Soy Sauce - MUST CHECK (may be made from wheat)
Spelt - NO
Sphingolipids - OK
Spices - MUST CHECK (if combined or a mixture - usually safe if pure)
Sprouted Wheat or Barley - NO
Stabilizers - MUST CHECK (may be from a gluten source)
Starch - MUST CHECK (made from corn in USA but may be derived from gluten elsewhere)
Starch (in food) - MUST CHECK (safe if made in USA or Canada, except for wheat starch)
Starch (in pharmaceuticals) - MUST CHECK (may be from a gluten source)
Stearamide - OK
Stearamine - OK
Stearates - OK
Stearic Acid - OK
Stevia - OK
Stock Cubes - MUST CHECK (may use gluten-containing ingredients)
Stuffing Thickeners - NO
Succotash - OK
Sucralose - OK
Sucrose - OK
Sulfur Dioxide - OK
Sulfites - OK
Sulfosuccinate - OK
Sunflower Seed - OK
Surimi - NO
Sweet Chestnut Flour - OK
Tabbouleh, Tabouli - NO
Taco Seasoning - MUST CHECK (may contain wheat)
Tallow - OK
Tapioca - OK
Tapioca Flour - OK
Taro Root - OK
Tartaric Acid - OK
Tartrazine - OK
TBHQ - OK
Tea - MUST CHECK (may have gluten in flavoring, such as barley malt)
Tea Tree Oil - OK
Teff - OK
Teff Flour - OK
Tempeh - MUST CHECK (often flavored with soy sauce)
Tepary Bean - OK
Teriyaki Sauce - MUST CHECK (may have wheat ingredients)
Tetra - OK
Textured Plant Protein (TPP) - MUST CHECK (must determine source of protein)
Textured Vegetable Protein (TVP) - MUST CHECK (must determine source of protein)
Thiamine Hydrochloride - OK
Timopheevi Wheat - NO
Titanium Dioxide - OK
Tofu, Flavored or Seasoned - MUST CHECK (flavorings or seasonings may contain gluten)
Tofu, Plain - OK
Tolu Balsam - OK
Tragacanth - OK
Tragacanth Gum - OK
Tri-Calcium Phosphate - OK
Triticale Wheat - NO
Triticum Aestivum - NO
Triticum Boeotictim - NO
Triticum Carthlicum - NO
Triticum Dicoccoides - NO
Triticum Dicoccon - NO
Triticum Durum - NO
Triticum Monococcum - NO
Triticum Polonicum - NO
Triticum Turgidum - NO
Triticum Vulgare Germ Extract or Oil - NO
Turmeric - OK
Tyrosine - OK
Udon - NO
Unbleached Flour - NO
Urad-Urid Flour - OK
Vanilla Extract - MUST CHECK (safe if made in USA or Canada)
Vanilla Flavoring - MUST CHECK (safe if made in USA or Canada)
Vanillin - OK
Vavilovi Wheat - NO
Vegetables - OK (should be questioned in sauces or preserved in liquids)
Vegetable Starch - MUST CHECK (source must be determined)
Vinegar - MUST CHECK (most are safe, except malt)
Vitamin A - OK
Vitamins/Supplements - MUST CHECK (may use gluten-containing ingredients)
Waxy Maize - OK
Wheat - NO
Wheat, Abyssinian Hard - NO
Wheat, Amino Acids - NO
Wheat, Bran Extract - NO
Wheat, Bulgar - NO
Wheat, Germ - NO
Wheat, Germ Extract - NO
Wheat, Germ Glycerides - NO
Wheat, Germ Oil - NO
Wheat Grass - NO
Wheat Noodles - NO
Wheat Nuts - NO
Wheat Protein - NO
Wheat Starch - MUST CHECK (most considered safe in USA or Canada)
Wheat, Triticum aestivum - NO
Wheat, Triticum durum - NO
Wheat, Triticum monococcum - NO
Wheat, Triticum vulgare, Bran Extract - NO
Whey - OK
White Sugar - OK
White Vinegar - OK
Wholemeal Flour - NO
Whole Wheat Flour - NO
Wild Einkorn - NO
Wild Emmer - NO
Wild Rice - OK
Wine - OK
Wine Vinegar - OK
Worcestershire Sauce - MUST CHECK
Xanthum Gum - OK
Xylitol - OK
Yam Flour - OK
Yeast - MUST CHECK
Yogurt - MUST CHECK (may use gluten-containing ingredients)
Yucca - OK
