Andy Montoya
Many people enjoy cheese in their diet, but for those with gluten intolerance or coeliac disease, it can be a minefield to navigate. While cheese is typically made from milk, which is gluten-free, some cheeses may contain gluten due to additives or the way they are processed. For example, low-fat, fat-free, and flavoured varieties may contain additional ingredients that are sources of gluten. Therefore, it is important to always read the labels and be vigilant about checking for gluten-containing ingredients.
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What You'll Learn
- Low-nufeltal cheese is usually gluten-free, but check the label
- Dairy does not contain gluten, but some cheese products do
- Plain, full-fat cheeses are most likely to be gluten-free
- Cheeses with additives, low-fat, low-salt, and fat-free may contain gluten
- Gluten-free cheese can be contaminated by gluten-containing foods
Low-nufeltal cheese is usually gluten-free, but check the label
While most cheeses are gluten-free, some exceptions depend on how the cheese is produced and which additives are used. The best way to ensure that a product suits your dietary needs is to check the packaging and ingredient list carefully.
Plain and full-fat cheeses are most likely to be gluten-free, while cheese that contains additives, as well as low-fat, low-salt, and fat-free cheese, are more likely to contain gluten. Gluten-containing ingredients are often used as thickeners in certain types of cheese or as a stabilizer to increase shelf life. Some ingredients that may indicate gluten on a food label include hydrolyzed wheat protein, malt, food starch, powdered cellulose, artificial flavor, fillers, emulsifiers, and spice blends.
Processed cheese and cheeses labeled as low-salt, low-fat, or fat-free may have gluten. If cheese contains any type of additive, such as wheat starch or modified food starch, it may also contain gluten. If vinegar is listed as an ingredient, double-check the type of vinegar used, as malt vinegar contains gluten. Full-fat cream cheese is usually gluten-free, as long as it isn't packaged with crackers, pretzels, cheese straws, or other wheat products. Double-check the ingredient list on cream cheese labeled as low-fat or fat-free.
Cheese spreads are usually gluten-free, but it is important to read the label, as there may be gluten in the ingredients used to create the spread's consistency or add flavoring. While most cheeses by themselves do not contain gluten, foods that contain cheese as one ingredient may not be gluten-free, so you should always read the label. Cheesecake, for example, is not gluten-free unless specified on the label because the crust is made with wheat flour. Similarly, breaded mozzarella sticks are not gluten-free unless the label specifies that they are.
Blue cheese is usually gluten-free, but some suggest that mold cultures may be grown on wheat or rye bread, so it is important to read the ingredients label. Generally, unless the ingredients label includes wheat, barley, rye, or their derivatives, cheese should be safe.
Therefore, while Low-nufeltal cheese is usually gluten-free, it is important to check the label to ensure that it does not contain any gluten-containing ingredients or additives that may make it unsuitable for your dietary needs.
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Dairy does not contain gluten, but some cheese products do
Dairy does not naturally contain gluten. However, some cheese products may include ingredients that are sources of gluten. People with gluten sensitivity or celiac disease should carefully read the labels of all packaged or processed cheese products.
Cheese products that are labelled as low-salt, low-fat, or fat-free may contain gluten. Plain, full-fat cheeses with no flavourings or additional ingredients are usually gluten-free. Some common gluten-free cheeses include cheddar, parmesan, feta, mozzarella, and Swiss cheese.
Cottage cheese is usually gluten-free, but some brands may contain wheat starch or modified food starch made from wheat. Cream cheese is also typically gluten-free, but low-fat, fat-free, and flavoured varieties sometimes contain additional ingredients, so label reading is important.
Cheese powder, string cheese, and cheese spreads are usually gluten-free, but it is important to check the labels to ensure that the product does not contain gluten in the ingredients used for flavouring or consistency. Breaded cheese products, such as breaded mozzarella sticks, are not gluten-free unless specified on the label.
There are also non-dairy cheese alternatives that are gluten-free, often made from plant sources such as soy or nuts. Some brands that offer gluten-free, dairy-free cheese alternatives include Violife, Miyoko's, Follow Your Heart, and Parmela.
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Plain, full-fat cheeses are most likely to be gluten-free
While dairy does not contain gluten, some cheese products may include ingredients that are a source of gluten. The Celiac Disease Foundation lists dairy as a food group that does not naturally contain gluten. However, according to Dairy Good, some cheese products may contain gluten. They recommend carefully reading the labels of each food item and contacting the manufacturer for specific product questions.
Plain, full-fat cheeses with no flavourings or additional ingredients are usually gluten-free. Processed cheese and cheeses labelled as low-salt, low-fat, or fat-free may contain gluten. If the cheese contains any type of additive, such as wheat starch or modified food starch, it may also contain gluten. If vinegar is listed as an ingredient, double-check the type of vinegar used, as malt vinegar contains gluten.
Full-fat cream cheese is usually gluten-free, as long as it is not packaged with crackers, pretzels, cheese straws, or other wheat products. Double-check the ingredient list on cream cheese labelled as low-fat or fat-free. It is important to examine the labels of any processed cheese, as well as cheese products.
Cheese powder, string cheese, and cheese spreads are usually gluten-free, but it is important to read the labels. While most cheeses do not contain gluten, foods that contain cheese as an ingredient may not be gluten-free, so always read the label. Cheesecake is not gluten-free (unless specified on the label) because the crust is made with wheat flour. Breaded mozzarella sticks are not gluten-free (unless specified on the label) because they are coated in breadcrumbs.
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Cheeses with additives, low-fat, low-salt, and fat-free may contain gluten
While dairy does not contain gluten, some cheese products may include ingredients that are a source of gluten. The Dairy Good reports that firm, natural cheeses, such as Cheddar and Parmesan, are less likely to contain gluten. Any cheese that has undergone additional processing, such as shredded cheese or cheese spread, is more likely to contain gluten. Cross-contamination is also a concern if the same tools or equipment are used to process gluten-containing products.
Cottage cheese is usually gluten-free, but some brands may contain wheat starch or modified food starch made from wheat. Cream cheese does not typically contain gluten. However, low-fat, fat-free, and flavoured varieties sometimes contain additional ingredients, so label reading is important.
Some cheeses are gluten-free, and others may contain some wheat products. People who cannot tolerate gluten should check all packaging carefully to ensure that the cheese is suitable to eat. There are also gluten-free alternatives to cheese available. For example, some non-dairy cheese alternatives are gluten-free, but others may contain ingredients with gluten.
Some cheeses are lower in salt than others. Softer cheeses, such as mozzarella and ricotta, tend to be naturally lower in salt. Processed cheeses and cottage cheese tend to be higher in salt. Low-salt cheeses may be a healthier choice for people with high blood pressure.
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Gluten-free cheese can be contaminated by gluten-containing foods
Dairy products, including cheese, are usually gluten-free. However, some cheese products may contain gluten due to added ingredients or cross-contamination during manufacturing or preparation.
Cheese is typically made from the milk of cows, sheep, goats, or buffalo and does not naturally contain gluten. However, some commercially available cheeses may include gluten-containing ingredients, such as wheat starch or modified food starch derived from wheat. These additives are more common in processed cheeses and cheeses with additional flavours or reduced fat content. Therefore, it is important to carefully read the ingredient labels of packaged or processed cheeses to ensure they are gluten-free.
Cross-contamination can occur during the manufacturing process when gluten-free cheese comes into contact with gluten-containing foods or surfaces. This type of contamination usually results in very small amounts of gluten, which may not be harmful to individuals with gluten sensitivity. However, for those with celiac disease, even minimal exposure to gluten can be detrimental. To minimise the risk of cross-contamination, individuals can opt for cheese products labelled as produced in gluten-free facilities.
Additionally, cross-contact can occur during the preparation and serving of cheese. For example, at a deli counter, gluten-containing crumbs from other foods can contaminate the cheese and the slicing machine. To prevent this, it is essential to ensure that the cheese is gluten-free and that the slicing equipment is thoroughly cleaned before use.
While natural cheese is typically gluten-free, foods containing cheese as an ingredient may not be. For instance, cheesecake and breaded mozzarella sticks are often not gluten-free due to the wheat flour in the crust and breadcrumbs, respectively. Therefore, it is crucial to scrutinise the ingredient labels of processed cheese products and dishes containing cheese to ensure they are safe for gluten-intolerant individuals.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, mozzarella cheese is gluten-free. However, it is important to read the labels of all packaged or processed cheese before eating it.
Plain and full-fat cheeses are most likely to be gluten-free. Some examples of gluten-free cheeses include feta, mozzarella, Swiss, cheddar, and Parmesan.
Processed cheese and cheeses labeled as low-salt, low-fat, or fat-free may have gluten. Cheeses that contain additives are more likely to contain gluten.
