We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Food

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What Is Gluten-Free Cereal?

By J. Beam
Updated: May 17, 2024
Views: 6,321
References
Share

Gluten-free cereal is cereal without gluten, a particular protein found in wheat, barley, and rye. It is made from grains that do not contain gluten, such as corn or rice, and do not have any additives containing gluten. There are many varieties of gluten-free cereal. Some are mass produced by large companies while others are produced by smaller manufacturers of organic and whole food products.

Gluten-free cereal can be eaten by anyone, but is a particularly useful staple in the gluten-free diet. People with Celiac disease, gluten intolerance, wheat allergies, and other conditions may not have the ability to digest gluten, which can exacerbate various health conditions and cause diarrhea, upset stomach and other symptoms. In many cases, eliminating gluten from the diet will alleviate the symptoms associated with gluten intolerance.

In the United States, an official food product label bearing the words “this product is certified gluten free” may appear on food products that have undergone specific manufacturing processes and inspection. A manufacturer of food products such as cereal may apply for this label, but its absence does not necessarily mean that the product contains gluten. The presence of such a food label can help shoppers quickly sort out which products are free of gluten, making shopping for the restricted diet easier.

Even before the USDA issued label, some food products, including cereal, were already gluten-free, such as many puffed rice cereals. The store brand equivalent of these cereals may also be gluten-free, but it is important to check the product labels. Even cereals made from corn, a grain that is inherently gluten-free, may still contain gluten. If a cereal product contains wheat, dextrin, malted barley or malted vinegar, it is not a gluten-free cereal. Similarly, if a product lists modified food starch, but does not specify the source of the starch, it may contain gluten.

When shopping for gluten-free cereal, look for products that contain a label specifying it is gluten free or read the ingredients label. If you are not sure if your favorite cereal is gluten free, call the company and ask. There is often a toll-free number listed on the packaging. One cereal grain in particular that has caused confusion and controversy in the gluten-free debate is oats. Though most scientists agree that oats themselves do not contain gluten, the confusion comes from cross contamination, whether during planting, harvesting, or processing.

Share
WiseGeek is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Link to Sources

Editors' Picks

Discussion Comments
Share
https://www.wisegeek.net/what-is-gluten-free-cereal.htm
Copy this link
WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.