Tuesday, March 15, 2011

How do I know if vinegar is gluten-free?


Question to Melanie:
I have been told that distilled white vinegar is made from wheat and not acceptable on a gluten free diet.  I am now seeing Annie's and Organicville gluten free products contain a vinegar that is NOT apple cider, rice or wine vinegar.  Will these products still be acceptable for a celiac or gluten free diet?  What about a corn free diet?

Melanie's Answer*:
As a baseline, distilled vinegars can be strained through grains including wheat, but should not contain gluten in the end result due to the distillation process.  This being said, the most common grain for vinegar to be distilled from is corn or rice.  Annie's and Organicville's vinegar is distilled from corn, based on our status updates.  We request information regarding vinegar's grain status due to multiple allergens of our customers. That being said, malt vinegars always contain gluten (and might be listed only as vinegar despite FDA guidelines) and vinegars that are produced in a facility that produces wheat or gluten are always at risk for gluten contamination.  Therefore, the safest option for Celiac Disease would be a distilled, apple cider, rice or wine vinegar that has tested below 5-20ppm (depending on who you ask) is best.

In regards to a corn free diet.  The same issue arises as gluten free; distilled vinegars can be strained through grains including corn, but should not contain corn in the end result due to the distillation process.  However, a product that is made in a facility that produces corn can be cross contaminated.

*Please note that Melanie's answers are based on knowledge acquired over the past decade and do not include cited references.  Gluten Free Handouts contain cited refrences and are available

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