Kamil Perry
Cheese is a beloved dairy product made from milk, which can come from a cow, sheep, goat, or other animal. For those on a gluten-free diet, the question of whether cheese is safe to consume arises due to potential additives and processing methods. While most cheeses are naturally gluten-free, some cheese products may contain gluten-based ingredients or be subject to cross-contamination. It is important for gluten-free dieters to read labels carefully and be aware of potential gluten sources, such as wheat, barley, rye, and their derivatives. Additionally, certain types of cheese, like cottage cheese, may contain wheat starch or modified food starch, which can be derived from wheat. Blue cheese is another variety that has sparked debate due to the potential use of gluten-containing media in the production of mold strains. Nevertheless, with careful label reading and attention to ingredients, gluten-free dieters can still enjoy cheese as part of their dietary choices.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Gluten-free cheeses | Brie, Cheddar, Colby, Gouda, Monterey Jack, Mozzarella, Muenster, Goat cheese, Parmesan, Pecorino Romano, Feta, Swiss cheese, Ricotta, Cream cheese, Cottage cheese, Provolone, String cheese, Cheese sticks, Cheese whiz, Cheese powder, Shredded cheese |
| Cheeses that may contain gluten | Blue cheese, Cheese spreads, Cheesecake, Breaded mozzarella sticks, Dairy-free cheese, Processed cheese, Cheese dips, Cheese shreds, Cheese with beer |
| Precautions | Check labels of packaged or processed cheese, Avoid wheat, barley, rye, wheat starch, modified food starch, malt vinegar, thickeners, anti-caking agents, breadcrumbs, crackers, pretzels, cheese straws, wheat products, cross-contamination |
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What You'll Learn
- Most natural cheeses are gluten-free, but some additives may contain gluten
- Dairy-free cheese may contain gluten, as some are made with flour
- Blue cheese is usually gluten-free, but some are grown on wheat or rye bread
- Cheesecake is not gluten-free, unless specified, because the crust contains wheat flour
- People with celiac disease may struggle to digest cheese, even if it is gluten-free
Most natural cheeses are gluten-free, but some additives may contain gluten
Cheese is made from milk, which is naturally gluten-free. However, the process of making cheese may introduce gluten, as can the additives in processed cheese products.
Milk is first pasteurized to kill harmful bacteria and then cultured to start the process that turns the milk into cheese. Depending on the type of culture and the length of the aging process, the resulting cheese may form small, soft curds or be pressed into a hard block. On their own, milk and most of the ingredients used to make cheese are gluten-free. However, depending on the cultures used and any additives, the end product might not be.
Some cheeses are flavored with things like spices, herbs, or nuts. These added ingredients can often be found in processed cheeses, soft spreadable cheeses, cheese dips, or shredded cheeses. Gluten is often added as a thickener or stabilizer to cheese products to prolong their shelf life or to keep the ingredients from separating.
Plain, full-fat cheeses with no flavorings or additional ingredients are usually gluten-free. Processed cheese and cheeses labeled as low-salt, low-fat, or fat-free may have gluten. If cheese contains any type of add-in, such as wheat starch or modified food starch, it may also contain gluten. The ingredients in different brands of American cheese, cottage cheese, queso, and ricotta cheese vary, so it's important to read the labels.
Some cheeses may also be contaminated by products containing gluten, so it's important to be vigilant about reading labels and following basic precautions to prevent cross-contamination. If you go to a deli counter to purchase cheese, the cheese must be gluten-free, and the machine used to slice the cheese must also be cleaned to prevent cross-contact.
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Dairy-free cheese may contain gluten, as some are made with flour
Dairy-free cheese is typically made from plant sources such as soy or nuts. While some of these products are gluten-free, others may contain gluten. For example, some dairy-free cheeses are made with flour, which contains gluten. Therefore, it is important to read the ingredients label before consuming dairy-free cheese to ensure it is gluten-free.
Cheese is made from milk, which is naturally gluten-free. However, during the cheese-making process, additional ingredients may be added that contain gluten. These ingredients can include wheat starch or modified food starch, which are derived from wheat. Therefore, even though most cheeses are gluten-free, it is important to read the labels of packaged or processed cheese to ensure they do not contain gluten.
Some types of cheese that are typically gluten-free include cottage cheese, cream cheese, feta cheese, goat cheese, mozzarella cheese, Parmesan cheese, and Swiss cheese. These cheeses are less likely to contain gluten due to the way they are produced and the ingredients used. However, it is still important to check the labels to ensure they do not contain any gluten-containing additives.
People with celiac disease or non-celiac gluten sensitivity may need to be cautious when consuming cheese. Even though cheese is naturally gluten-free, cross-contamination can occur during processing if the same tools or equipment are used for gluten-containing products. Additionally, some cheese products may be breaded or contain additives that are sources of gluten. Therefore, it is crucial for individuals with gluten sensitivities to carefully read labels and follow precautions to prevent cross-contamination.
Overall, while most cheese is gluten-free, there are exceptions. Dairy-free cheese may contain gluten if made with flour, and processed cheese may have added ingredients that include gluten. Reading labels and choosing naturally-made cheeses can help ensure a gluten-free diet.
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Blue cheese is usually gluten-free, but some are grown on wheat or rye bread
Most cheese is naturally gluten-free, but it is important to read the labels of all packaged or processed cheese before eating it. This is because some cheese products may contain ingredients that are a source of gluten. For example, dairy-free cheese may contain flour, and shredded cheese may contain starch or cellulose to prevent the shreds from sticking together.
Blue cheese is usually gluten-free, but some sources suggest that the mold cultures may be grown on wheat or rye bread. However, other sources claim that blue cheese rarely contains more than 20 ppm gluten and should not trigger a gluten allergy. Indeed, analysis of blue cheese samples conducted by Dr. Terry Koerner's laboratory at Health Canada's Food Research Division found that neither cultures used with gluten-containing media nor those used with wheat-based dextrose contained detectable levels of gluten when formed into blue cheese. As a result, the Canadian Celiac Association has added blue cheese to its "Acceptability of Food and Food Ingredients for the Gluten-Free Diet" pocket dictionary.
It is worth noting that some people with celiac disease may still have trouble digesting cheese, even if it is gluten-free. This is because celiac disease and lactose intolerance sometimes occur together. A long-term gluten-free diet may help to resolve symptoms of lactose intolerance, but there are no guarantees.
Overall, while blue cheese is generally considered gluten-free, it is always a good idea to read the labels of packaged or processed cheese products to ensure they meet the requirements of a gluten-free diet.
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Cheesecake is not gluten-free, unless specified, because the crust contains wheat flour
While cheese is naturally gluten-free, cheese products may contain gluten. Cheesecake, for example, is not gluten-free unless specified because the crust contains wheat flour.
Cheese is made from milk, which is pasteurized to kill harmful bacteria and then cultured to start the process that turns the milk into cheese. On their own, milk and most of the ingredients used to make cheese are gluten-free. However, depending on the cultures used and any additives, the final product might not be. For instance, dairy-free cheese may not be gluten-free as some are made with flour. Therefore, it is important to read the labels of all packaged or processed cheese before eating it. Aside from wheat, barley, and rye, you should also ensure that the cheese does not contain wheat starch or modified food starch made from wheat.
Some cheeses that are usually gluten-free include cottage cheese, cream cheese, feta cheese, goat cheese, mozzarella cheese, Parmesan cheese, provolone, ricotta cheese, and Swiss cheese. Blue cheese is also usually gluten-free, but there is some debate about whether certain kinds are gluten-free or not. This may depend on where the mold is grown.
If you are looking for gluten-free cheesecake options, you can make your own cheesecake using gluten-free graham crackers for the crust. There are also recipes for gluten-free no-bake cheesecakes that use a combination of sour cream, cream cheese, and whipped cream for the filling.
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People with celiac disease may struggle to digest cheese, even if it is gluten-free
Most cheeses are naturally gluten-free, as they are made from milk, cultures, and rennet. However, people with celiac disease may struggle to digest cheese, even if it is gluten-free. This is because celiac disease and lactose intolerance sometimes occur together. The immune reaction that damages the villi lining the small intestine can also damage the lactase enzymes, which help the body digest lactose.
A long-term gluten-free diet gives the small intestine time to heal and may eventually resolve symptoms of lactose intolerance, but there are no guarantees. People with celiac disease must stop eating all sources of gluten for life, as their symptoms will return if they eat gluten, and it will cause long-term damage to their health. In addition to eliminating gluten, a GP or dietitian may recommend taking vitamin and mineral supplements to ensure proper nutrition while the digestive system heals.
While most cheeses are gluten-free, some processed cheese products may contain gluten. It is important to read the labels of all packaged or processed cheese before eating it. In addition to wheat, barley, and rye, you should also ensure the cheese does not contain wheat starch or modified food starch made from wheat. If you go to a deli counter to purchase cheese, the machine used to slice the cheese must be cleaned to prevent cross-contact.
Some varieties of cheese that are usually gluten-free include Brie, Cheddar, Colby, Gouda, Monterey Jack, Mozzarella, Muenster, Goat cheese, Parmesan, Pecorino Romano, Feta, Swiss cheese, Ricotta, cottage cheese, cream cheese, and shredded cheese. However, shredded cheese may contain starch or cellulose to prevent the shreds from sticking together, so it is important to check the label. Blue cheese is also usually gluten-free, but there has been much debate over its safety in the celiac community. This is because blue cheese is sometimes injected with mold strains grown on gluten-containing media. However, the consensus is that it is unlikely that this would cause blue cheese to contain more than 20 parts per million gluten, which is considered safe for people with celiac disease.
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Frequently asked questions
Most cheese is gluten-free, but it is important to read the labels of all packaged or processed cheese before eating it. Some cheeses are then flavoured with additives, which may contain gluten.
Common cheeses that are gluten-free in their natural state include: Brie, Cheddar, Colby, Gouda, Monterey Jack, Mozzarella, Muenster, Goat cheese, Parmesan, Pecorino Romano, and Feta.
Some cheeses are flavoured with additives, which may contain gluten. These additives can often be found in processed cheeses, soft spreadable cheeses, cheese dips or shredded cheeses.
Aside from wheat, barley, and rye, you also want to ensure the cheese does not contain wheat starch or modified food starch made from wheat.
People with celiac disease may still have trouble digesting cheese, even if it is gluten-free. Celiac disease and lactose intolerance sometimes occur together. A long-term gluten-free diet may eventually resolve symptoms of lactose intolerance, but there are no guarantees.
