Frederic Melton
Cheese is a dairy product that is generally considered to be gluten-free. However, with the variety of cheese products available, it can be challenging to determine if a specific type of cheese contains gluten. This is particularly important for individuals with celiac disease or gluten intolerance, who must avoid gluten in their diets. One such cheese product is shredded cheese, which is commonly used in dishes like quesadillas, grilled cheese sandwiches, and pizza. So, is shredded cheese gluten-free?
Is shredded cheese gluten-free?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Is shredded cheese gluten-free? | Shredded cheese is usually gluten-free. |
| What is shredded cheese coated with to prevent clumping? | Anti-caking agents like cellulose powder, food starch, potato starch, corn starch, or powdered cellulose. |
| Is cellulose powder gluten-free? | Cellulose powder is not always derived from wheat, so it is sometimes gluten-free. However, it can be extracted from wheat starch, making it a higher risk for those with gluten intolerance and allergies. |
| How to know if shredded cheese contains gluten? | Read the label to check for gluten-containing ingredients such as wheat, barley, rye, wheat starch, or modified food starch made from wheat. |
| Are there gluten-free shredded cheese brands? | Yes, some popular brands offering gluten-free shredded cheese include Sargento, Crystal Farms, Tillamook, Borden, and Cabot. |
| Are there other gluten-free cheese options? | Yes, most cheese is naturally gluten-free. Blue cheese, brie, cottage cheese, cream cheese, and string cheese are usually gluten-free. |
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What You'll Learn
Most shredded cheese is gluten-free
Most cheese is gluten-free, but it is important to read the labels of all packaged or processed cheese before eating it. This is because some cheeses may contain gluten, especially if they have undergone additional processing, such as shredded cheese or cheese spreads.
Shredded cheese is usually gluten-free. However, some shredded cheese products may contain starch or cellulose to prevent the shreds from sticking together. The starches or cellulose used in shredded cheese typically don't contain gluten, and often potato starch is used, which is gluten-free. If the cellulose is derived from wheat, this should be stated on the label.
Some well-known brands of shredded cheese, such as Kraft, Sargento, Crystal Farms, and Tillamook, are gluten-free. Kraft, for example, labels all sources of gluten above 10ppm, and Sargento uses potato starch and gluten-free anti-caking agents. Other gluten-free brands include Borden, Belgioioso, Cabot, and Private Label.
If you are unsure about a particular brand of shredded cheese, read its label to see if it includes any gluten-containing ingredients such as wheat, barley, rye, wheat starch, or modified food starch made from wheat.
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Anti-caking agents are often used
Shredded cheese is usually gluten-free, but it's important to check the labels of all packaged or processed cheese before consuming it. This is because, while most cheese is naturally gluten-free, cheese products may contain gluten. For example, some dairy-free cheeses are made with flour.
Some popular shredded cheese brands and their anti-caking agents include:
- Kraft: cellulose powder or modified cornstarch
- Sargento: potato starch and powdered cellulose
- Crystal Farms: potato starch and powdered cellulose
- Tillamook: potato starch
- Borden: potato starch, corn starch, powdered cellulose, or calcium sulfate
If you are unsure about a particular brand of shredded cheese, check its label for any gluten-containing ingredients such as wheat, barley, rye, wheat starch, or modified food starch made from wheat. Additionally, look out for processed cheeses with artificial flavors, artificial colors, and other ingredients added during manufacturing.
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Cellulose powder can be extracted from wheat starch
Shredded cheese is usually gluten-free. However, some shredded cheese products may contain starch or cellulose to prevent the shreds from sticking together. While the starches or cellulose used in shredded cheese typically do not contain gluten, it is important to read the labels of all packaged or processed cheese before consuming it. If the cellulose used is derived from wheat, this should be indicated on the label.
Cellulose powder is commonly used as an anti-caking agent in shredded cheese. This powder is a fibre found in the cell walls of many plants, including fruits, vegetables, and, in rare cases, wheat. While cellulose powder can be extracted from wheat starch, this is uncommon, and the ingredient list on a product containing wheat-derived cellulose powder will mention gluten or the risk of cross-contamination.
The process of extracting starch from wheat involves selecting and pre-processing raw materials, steeping, grinding, degerminating, removing cellulose, removing protein, washing, refining, and drying. Wheat starch can interact with cellulose derivatives, such as carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) or microcrystalline cellulose (MCC), which are safe and extensively used as food additives. Understanding the interaction between wheat starch and cellulose derivatives is crucial for the food industry to improve product quality and regulate production processes.
The use of cellulose powder derived from wheat starch in shredded cheese is uncommon, as most manufacturers use potato starch, corn starch, or other gluten-free anti-caking agents. Name-brand cheese manufacturers tend to be more transparent about their ingredients, so purchasing shredded cheese from well-known companies may be safer for those with gluten intolerance or allergies. Additionally, some manufacturers, such as Kraft Cheese, test their shredded cheese for gluten and label any products with over 10ppm of gluten.
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Potato starch is gluten-free
Most shredded cheese is gluten-free. However, some shredded cheese may contain starch or cellulose to prevent the shreds from sticking together. While the starches or cellulose used in shredded cheese typically don't contain gluten, it is important to read the labels of all packaged or processed cheese before consuming it. If the cellulose used is derived from wheat, this should be stated on the label.
Shredded cheese often contains anti-caking agents to prevent clumping. These anti-caking agents can come in the form of cellulose powder, food starch, or potato starch. Potato starch is gluten-free and is commonly used as a substitute for corn starch in baking and cooking. It is a staple of gluten-free baking and is used as a thickener or to add moisture to recipes. Potato starch is a fine, white powder that acts as a binding agent, giving baked goods a moist and chewy texture. It is also used to thicken sauces, soups, and pies, and can be substituted for corn starch in a 1:1 ratio. Potato starch tolerates higher temperatures than corn starch, making it an excellent thickener for various dishes.
Some shredded cheese manufacturers use potato starch or corn starch instead of cellulose powder. For example, Sargento states on its website that it uses potato starch and gluten-free anti-caking agents for gluten-free shredded cheese. Name-brand cheese brands tend to be more open about their ingredients, so it may be safer to buy from these companies.
While most shredded cheese is gluten-free, it is always important to read the ingredients label to ensure there are no gluten-containing ingredients or gluten cross-contamination. Aside from wheat, barley, and rye, individuals on a gluten-free diet should also ensure that the cheese does not contain wheat starch or modified food starch made from wheat.
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Always read the label
Most cheese is gluten-free, but it is important to read the labels of all packaged or processed cheese before eating it. This is because some cheeses may contain gluten, especially if they have undergone additional processing, such as shredded cheese or cheese spread.
Shredded cheese is typically made with more complex cheeses, so you won't find shredded blue cheese, feta cheese, or cottage cheese products. However, shredded cheese is usually gluten-free. Some shredded cheese may contain starch or cellulose to prevent the shreds from sticking together, but these starches or cellulose typically don't contain gluten. Potato starch, for example, is often used and is gluten-free. If cellulose is derived from wheat, this should be stated on the label.
If you're unsure about a particular brand of shredded cheese, read its label to see if it includes any gluten-containing ingredients such as wheat, barley, rye, wheat starch, or modified food starch made from wheat. Name-brand cheese brands tend to be more open about their ingredients, so it may be safer to buy from these companies over generic (private label) brands. Companies like Kraft Cheese test their shredded cheese for gluten and label any Kraft products with over 10ppm of gluten. Sargento also uses gluten-free anti-caking agents for gluten-free shredded cheese.
If you are buying cheese from a deli counter, the cheese must be gluten-free, and the machine used to slice the cheese must also be cleaned to prevent cross-contact. Blue cheese is usually gluten-free, but some suggest that the 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.
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Frequently asked questions
Shredded cheese is typically gluten-free. However, some shredded cheese products may contain starch or cellulose to prevent the shreds from sticking together. While the starches/cellulose used in shredded cheese usually don't contain gluten, it's derived from wheat in rare cases.
Some popular gluten-free shredded cheese brands include Sargento, Crystal Farms, Tillamook, Borden, Belgioioso, and Cabot.
To determine if shredded cheese contains gluten, carefully read the ingredients label. If the cellulose used is derived from wheat, it should be mentioned on the label. Look out for ingredients like wheat, barley, rye, wheat starch, or modified food starch made from wheat.
Yes, most cheese varieties are naturally gluten-free. Some gluten-free options include Swiss cheese, string cheese, cheese powder, and Brie. However, always read the labels of packaged or processed cheese to ensure they don't contain gluten.
