Kamil Perry
Cheese Twisties are a popular snack food, but are they gluten-free? The answer is a bit complicated. While some sources indicate that certain brands of Cheese Twisties, such as Cheezels and Aldi's version of Twisties, are gluten-free, other sources suggest that the product contains gluten due to the presence of barley in the cheese powder. Additionally, some ingredients in Cheese Twisties may contain gluten, depending on the source. For those with gluten intolerance or celiac disease, it is essential to carefully review the product's ingredients and consult with the manufacturer to ensure its safety.
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Twisties Cheese ingredients
Twisties are a type of cheese curl corn-based snack food product, available mainly in Australia and other Oceanian countries. They were originally only available in 'Cheese' flavour, but 'Chicken' and 'Wicked Cheddar Zig-Zag' flavours were later introduced and became a standard part of the product line.
The ingredients for Twisties Cheese flavour are as follows, in order of percentage of product: corn and rice cereal, vegetable oil, whey powder, cheese powder, monosodium glutamate (E621), salt, hydrolyzed vegetable protein, flavour, yeast extract, mineral salt (potassium chloride), flavours, natural colours (paprika extract), and food acid (lactic acid). The base ingredients standard in every flavour are vegetable oil, whey protein, salt, and monosodium glutamate (E621) as a flavour enhancer.
Twisties are not gluten-free, as they list one ingredient that contains gluten and three ingredients that may contain gluten depending on the source. Barley in the cheese powder is the ingredient that makes Twisties unsuitable for coeliacs. However, they are believed to be wheat-free, peanut-free, lupin-free, shellfish-free, soy-free, and sunflower-free.
In addition to the original flavour, there are also some interesting flavour variations available in different markets, including 'Toffee', 'Tomato', 'Salmon Teriyaki', and 'Peri Peri'.
Gluten-Free Nacho Cheese: Tostitos' Surprising Secret
You may want to see also
Gluten-free alternatives
Twisties Cheese 270g is not gluten-free as it lists one ingredient that contains gluten and three ingredients that may contain gluten. These ingredients include cereals (corn and rice), maltodextrin, cheese powder (barley and milk), and yeast extract.
If you are looking for gluten-free alternatives to Twisties Cheese, here are some options:
Cheezels
Cheezels are a naturally gluten-free alternative to Twisties Cheese. They are available in Australia and can be found at Aldi, a retailer known for its knock-off versions of well-known brands. Cheezels are also vegetarian and use real cheese.
Woolworths Free From Gluten Share Pack Cheese Twists
Woolworths offers a gluten-free option for cheese twists. This product is available in a 90g share pack and can be purchased online at woolworths.com.au.
Coles Gluten-Free Cheese Twists
Coles, another Australian retailer, previously offered gluten-free cheese twists. However, it is unclear if this product is still available, as some sources indicate that it has been missing from shelves for some time.
When considering gluten-free alternatives, it is always important to carefully review the ingredient lists and allergen information to ensure the product meets your dietary needs and preferences. Additionally, contacting the manufacturer directly can provide the most up-to-date and accurate information about a product's gluten-free status.
Fontina Cheese: A Dairy-Free Option?
You may want to see also
Coeliac safety
Twisties Cheese is a popular snack food that contains cheese powder, barley, and milk. While some sources claim that Twisties Cheese is gluten-free, other sources contradict this claim, stating that the product contains gluten and is therefore not safe for people with coeliac disease.
Coeliac disease is an autoimmune disorder that affects the small intestine's ability to absorb nutrients from food. It is triggered by the consumption of gluten, which is a protein found in certain grains, such as wheat, barley, and rye. For people with coeliac disease, even a small amount of gluten can cause damage to the small intestine and lead to a range of unpleasant symptoms, including diarrhoea, constipation, bloating, and fatigue.
The discrepancy in the information about the gluten content of Twisties Cheese may be due to the fact that the product contains barley, which is a gluten-containing grain. While the amount of barley in the product may be small, it is enough to make it unsafe for people with coeliac disease. It's important to note that even if a product is labelled as \"wheat-free\", it may still contain other gluten-containing grains, such as barley or rye.
To ensure coeliac safety, it is crucial to read the ingredient list of any product before consuming it. In the case of Twisties Cheese, the product contains barley, which is clearly listed on the ingredient list. This information should be a red flag for anyone with coeliac disease, as it indicates the presence of gluten. It is always better to err on the side of caution and avoid consuming any product that may contain gluten, even if it is a small amount.
For coeliacs who want to enjoy a cheesy snack, there are gluten-free alternatives available, such as Cheezles or the gluten-free Twisties-style products available at Aldi and Coles. These products do not contain gluten and are therefore safe for people with coeliac disease to consume. By being vigilant about reading ingredient lists and choosing gluten-free alternatives, people with coeliac disease can enjoy their favourite snacks while maintaining their health and well-being.
Salt-Free Cheeses: What Are Your Options?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Nutritional information
The nutritional information for Twisties Cheese, a product that weighs 270 grams, is as follows:
The product contains cereals (corn and rice), canola oil, whey powder (milk), maltodextrin, cheese powder (barley and milk), salt, flavour enhancer (621), hydrolysed vegetable protein, yeast extract, mineral salt (potassium chloride), flavours, natural colours (paprika extract), and food acid (lactic acid). While the product is believed to be wheat, peanut, lupin, sesame, shellfish, and soy-free, it is not gluten-free due to the presence of barley in the cheese powder. Additionally, it may not be suitable for a pescatarian diet as it lists ingredients that could derive from red meat or poultry.
Another product, the Twisties Cheese Flavoured Snack, has similar ingredients but with the addition of soybeans or soybean products. This product is also not gluten-free as it lists two ingredients that contain gluten and three ingredients that may contain gluten. It is also not wheat-free, yeast-free, or lactose-free. However, it is believed to be peanut, lupin, sesame, shellfish, and sunflower-free.
It is important to note that the gluten content in Twisties Cheese products may vary by region and manufacturer. For example, a blogger mentions that they found gluten-free Twisties-style products at Coles and Aldi, but these may no longer be available. Similarly, a comment on the blog mentions that Aldi in Australia offers a version of Twisties that is gluten-free.
In contrast, a product called Twistees Cheesy, a baked snack from Malta, is advertised as being gluten-free and rice-based. Each packet weighs 50 grams, and there are 48 packets in each box.
It is always advisable to check the ingredient list and nutritional information on the packaging or the manufacturer's website for the most accurate and up-to-date information.
Gluten-Free Pimenta Cheese: Safe for My Three Sons?
You may want to see also
Worldwide availability
Cheese Twisties are a popular snack in Australia, where they are sold in Woolworths and Aldi supermarkets. They are also available for purchase online from the Australian Food Shop, which offers worldwide delivery.
While the ingredients in Cheese Twisties are mostly gluten-free, the product is not gluten-free due to the presence of barley in the cheese powder. For those seeking a gluten-free alternative, Morrisons in the UK offers a similar product called Free From Cheese Twists, which is made with maize starch, rice flour, and buckwheat flour instead of wheat flour. These are also available for purchase online and can be delivered worldwide.
In addition to the gluten-containing barley, Cheese Twisties also contain milk, lactose, and nightshades. They may also contain garlic, rye, and yeast, depending on the source of certain ingredients.
For those with specific dietary requirements or allergies, it is always important to check the labels and allergy advice of products before consumption.
Gluten-Free Red Clay Pimento Cheese: Safe to Eat?
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
No, Twisties Cheese is not gluten-free. This is due to the presence of barley in the cheese powder.
The ingredients in Twisties Cheese that contain gluten are cereals (corn and rice), maltodextrin, cheese powder (barley, milk), and soy.
Yes, there are gluten-free alternatives to Twisties Cheese, such as Cheezles and Aldi's version of Twisties.
No, not all Twisties products are gluten-free. However, there is a gluten-free version of Twisties called "Free From Cheese Twists" available at Coles and Aldi.
Yes, Twisties Cheese snacks are wheat-free as there are no wheat ingredients listed on the label.
