Granola is not a completely gluten free option. Although the base ingredients of granola are gluten free but there are other factors as well that make it contaminated. These factors include the common processing facility or some secondary ingredients.
So when people ask, “Is granola gluten free?” The answer is always ‘no’. When it comes to gluten-allergic people, even a minor trace of it can cause a serious complication. Therefore, it is not wise for those having celiac disease to randomly pick a granola bag off the shelf.
In this article, we will dive deeper into the topic and find out which ingredient in granola can hide gluten. We will also see how to read labels accurately and how to prevent accidentally consuming gluten. Let’s find out more about it.
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What is Gluten?
Gluten is a protein that acts as a bonding agent and provides elastic quality and texture to certain grains. It is generally available in wheat, rye, barley and other such crops. Usually, it is not harmful, but some people with celiac disease may experience discomfort by consuming gluten in cereal.
Therefore, if you do not have a health condition related to gluten intolerance, you should consume gluten-rich food. It is necessary for the body’s requirements for a healthy person. However, if you have problems, you must avoid them so that you do not face complications.
Related: Is Sourdough Bread Gluten Free
Is Granola Gluten Free?
As we discussed at the start of the blog, granola is not completely gluten-free. Here, we will talk about why. Granola is a popular breakfast option for a lot of Americans. The combination of milk and granola is mostly used in various households. Granola bars are also used as a snack for school-going children.
You must be thinking if it is made of oats, why is it not gluten free. Oats are not completely gluten free and may have a small amount of a special type of protein which can be harmful. Additionally, most of the facilities process different foods using the same machines, and some traces of gluten may seep into otherwise secure ingredients.
Are oats free from gluten?
They are one of the top ingredients for granola. They are gluten-free in their pure form. However, most of the time, these gluten-free oats are processed in a facility where other grains like wheat and other grains are processed. It facilitates cross-contamination as the tools and machines may be left with traces of gluten.
What are Purity Protocol Oats?
General oats are not completely gluten free if they are processed in common facilities. These oats are not safe for all consumers. Therefore, a new type of oats is introduced in the market for those who have belly problems or gluten intolerance issues.
These oats are called purity protocol oats as they are carefully developed under the strict protocols to ensure that they are gluten-free. The complete journey of these oats from seeds to sowing and then processing in the mills is in a controlled environment.
How to choose gluten-free granola?
Once we have discussed what gluten is and how it affects those who have medical conditions, it is important to know how to choose granola that is safe. Here, we are mentioning some of the things that you should look at while choosing a safe granola:
Gluten Free Labelling
Below 20 ppm gluten is considered to be safe, usually. Always select the granola that has a gluten-free label on it. It ensures the gluten free granola that is free from contamination and is safer to use. However, it would be great if the product were certified by a credible food certification provider like GFCO.
Purity Protocol or Certified Granola
There are two main types of safe ingredients when it comes to granola which are certified gluten-free and purity protocol granola. Look for the granola that has certified oats. If you want more satisfaction, go for the brands that offer granola with purity protocol oats. These options are safe because the grains are processed in separate facilities and do not have gluten tracings.
No Other Unsafe Ingredient
Some brands use extra ingredients in Granola that are not safe. They are used to give a texture or flavour to the product. Ensure there is no unsafe ingredient apart from oats in your granola. Malt extract or spelt is sometimes used, which may cause belly problems and swelling.
Gluten-Free Granola Checklist
Use this checklist to help your readers quickly evaluate whether a granola product is safe to eat:
- Certified gluten-free oats (preferably Purity Protocol)
- No wheat, barley, rye, or malt-based ingredients
- Clearly labelled as “Certified Gluten Free”
- No shared equipment or cross-contaminated facilities
- No suspicious sweeteners (like barley malt or maltodextrin from wheat)
- Tested to contain less than 20 ppm gluten
Conclusion
The simple answer to “Is granola gluten-free?” is “No”. Gluten is a special type of protein that acts as a glue in most of the grains like wheat, barley and rye. Although granola uses oats as its major ingredient, the processing plants are usually the same for all the grains. This makes oats vulnerable to gluten seepage and, in turn, makes the granola unsafe.
If you need granola that is completely gluten-free, you need to find out the brands that offer certified oat granola. Purity protocol granolas are also gaining popularity for their assurance of being safe.
