Randy Chandler
Velveeta is a popular cheese product that has been around since 1918. It is owned by Kraft Heinz and sold in the US and a few other countries. While it is not technically cheese, it is a gluten-free product. Kraft, the company that makes Velveeta, has a trusted policy of disclosing allergens on its nutrition labels, and there are no warnings that indicate that Velveeta cheese contains any gluten ingredients. However, it is important to note that Velveeta offers various packaged products, some of which include pasta made with wheat, which does contain gluten.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Gluten-free | Yes |
| Allergen warning | No |
| Celiac-safe | Yes |
| Certified gluten-free | No |
| Contains wheat, barley, rye | No |
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What You'll Learn
Kraft's Velveeta does not contain gluten ingredients
Velveeta is a pasteurized "cheese product" owned by Kraft Heinz and sold in the US and a handful of other countries. The product line has expanded from the original block/loaf to individual slices to a wide variety of mac-and-cheese products, skillets, and snacks.
Velveeta is made from substances including whey, milk, milk protein concentrate, modified starch, canola oil, and cheese culture. It does not include wheat or any other source of gluten, so it is safe to consume as part of a gluten-free diet.
While Velveeta cheese sauce does contain milk, it does not contain any other common allergens. However, there are many packaged Velveeta products that include pasta, which is made using wheat and does include gluten. These products should be avoided if you are gluten-free.
Velveeta Shells & Cheese, for example, is not gluten-free as the pasta shells are made from wheat flour. However, a gluten-free version of Shells & Cheese can be created at home by boiling a brand of gluten-free pasta and adding Velveeta cheese sauce.
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Velveeta is considered gluten-free by the gluten-free and celiac community
Velveeta is a popular cheese product that is widely considered gluten-free by the gluten-free and celiac community. While it is not certified gluten-free, its ingredients do not include wheat or any other sources of gluten. Kraft, the company that makes Velveeta, has a trusted policy of disclosing any allergens on their nutrition labels, and there are no warnings indicating that Velveeta contains gluten.
Velveeta is made from substances like whey, milk, milk protein concentrate, modified starch, canola oil, and cheese culture. It is important to distinguish between plain Velveeta and packaged Velveeta products that include pasta, which is made with wheat and does contain gluten. For example, Velveeta Shells & Cheese, the brand's take on macaroni and cheese, is not gluten-free due to the wheat flour in the pasta shells. However, the Velveeta cheese sauce packets on their own are gluten-free.
The gluten-free community, including those with celiac disease, generally agrees that Velveeta is safe to consume as part of a gluten-free diet. This is based on the absence of gluten-containing ingredients and the trust in Kraft's labelling practices. While certification provides an extra layer of assurance, it is not always necessary, especially when a product's ingredients can be verified as gluten-free through label reading and research.
Additionally, some individuals with celiac disease or gluten intolerance have shared their personal experiences consuming Velveeta without any adverse effects. This anecdotally reinforces the consensus that Velveeta is gluten-free and aligns with the feedback from other members of the gluten-free community. However, it is always recommended to carefully read labels and exercise caution when introducing new products into a gluten-free diet.
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Velveeta cheese sauce is gluten-free
The gluten-free community, including Celiac.com, generally agrees that Velveeta cheese products are gluten-free. However, it is important to note that Velveeta is not certified as gluten-free, so some sources advise caution for extremely sensitive individuals. While the original cheese sauce is gluten-free, there are other Velveeta products that include pasta made from wheat, which contains gluten. Therefore, it is always advisable to carefully read the ingredient labels of packaged Velveeta products to ensure they are gluten-free.
The ingredients used to make Velveeta Original Cheese Sauce, according to the Kraft Heinz website, include milkfat, cheese culture, enzymes, and less than 2% of salt, sodium phosphate, potassium phosphate, modified food starch, lactic acid, sodium alginate, sorbic acid (preservative), paprika, annatto extract (colour), and natural flavour. None of these ingredients are sources of gluten, making the cheese sauce gluten-free.
Velveeta cheese sauce can be safely enjoyed by those on a gluten-free diet, but it is always recommended to check ingredient labels to ensure no gluten-containing ingredients have been added, especially in packaged products. Additionally, while Velveeta cheese sauce is gluten-free, other Velveeta products, such as their Shells & Cheese, may not be, so it is important to check each product individually.
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Velveeta Shells & Cheese is not gluten-free
While plain Velveeta cheese is gluten-free, Velveeta Shells & Cheese is not gluten-free. This is because the pasta shells are made from wheat flour, which contains gluten.
Velveeta cheese is a popular, processed cheese product that is owned by Kraft Heinz and sold throughout the US and in a handful of other countries. It is made from dairy milk and a list of other ingredients, but it does not include wheat or any other sources of gluten. It is considered safe to consume for those with celiac disease or gluten intolerance. Kraft has a trusted policy of disclosing any allergens on their nutrition labels, and there are no warnings that indicate that Velveeta cheese contains any gluten ingredients.
However, there are many packaged Velveeta products that include pasta, which is made using wheat and does include gluten. These products, including Velveeta Shells & Cheese, should be avoided by those on a gluten-free diet.
Fortunately, there is now a gluten-free version of Velveeta Shells & Cheese available, made with brown rice and corn pasta instead of wheat flour pasta. This product can be purchased on Amazon and, according to customer reviews, tastes just like the original version.
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Kraft reliably discloses any gluten ingredients
Kraft Heinz, the company that owns Velveeta, has a trusted policy to disclose any allergens on their nutrition labels. While Velveeta cheese is considered gluten-free by the gluten-free and celiac community, it is not certified as gluten-free. Kraft's policy for all its products, including Velveeta, is to list gluten-containing ingredients in the ingredient statement on the package label. The company's labelling practices are designed to help consumers make accurate and informed choices.
Kraft's labelling practices are specific and transparent. If a Kraft product has an ingredient that is a source of gluten, the specific grain will be listed in the ingredient statement, regardless of the amount. For example, the labels will always state the names wheat, barley, rye, and/or oats when these grains are added to a product. Additionally, the company provides clarity on the use of food starches, specifying that Food Starch and Modified Food Starch in their ingredient statements often refer to corn starch. If a gluten-containing source, such as wheat starch, is used, it will be identified in the ingredient statement. This level of detail empowers consumers to make informed decisions about their gluten intake.
Kraft's commitment to disclosing gluten ingredients extends to their customer service. While Kraft no longer provides a gluten-free list of their food products, their customer service representatives can provide valuable information about gluten-free food labelling practices. This includes guidance on interpreting ingredient statements and understanding the specific grains or sources of gluten in their products. Kraft's approach to manufacturing and labelling products ensures that consumers can confidently identify gluten-containing ingredients.
Furthermore, Kraft's labelling practices go beyond simply listing ingredients. The company provides additional context and explanations to help consumers understand the presence of certain ingredients. For instance, Kraft clarifies that the use of vinegar in their ingredient statements refers to distilled vinegar, which does not contain gluten. This attention to detail and willingness to address specific concerns demonstrates Kraft's reliability in disclosing gluten ingredients.
In summary, Kraft reliably discloses any gluten ingredients in their products, including Velveeta. The company prioritises transparency and consumer education through detailed labelling practices and informative customer service. While Velveeta cheese is widely considered gluten-free, consumers are encouraged to read labels carefully and make informed choices based on their specific dietary needs and preferences.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Velveeta cheese is gluten-free. It does not contain any gluten ingredients, and is widely considered safe for those with celiac disease or gluten intolerance.
No, some Velveeta products, such as their Shells & Cheese, contain wheat and gluten. Always check the ingredients list before consuming.
Yes, there are many gluten-free cheese options available. Cheese is typically gluten-free, but always check the labels. To be extra cautious, choose cheese that is FDA-certified gluten-free.
