Andy Montoya
Blue cheese has long been a topic of debate in the gluten-free community. While cheese is naturally gluten-free, some blue cheeses are made using mold spores grown on gluten-containing bread, leading to concerns about gluten contamination. This traditional method of mold cultivation is now less common, and modern techniques often use gluten-free alternatives. The gluten content in blue cheese is a significant concern for those with celiac disease or gluten intolerance, and reactions vary among individuals. While some sources and organizations, like the Canadian Celiac Association, consider blue cheese acceptable for gluten-free diets, others emphasize the importance of verifying ingredients and choosing gluten-free alternatives.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Reason for the controversy | Some of the molds used to create blue cheeses are grown on gluten-based bread |
| Modern cheese-making techniques | Obsolescence of the need for bread as a mold-growing medium |
| Market availability | Relatively few blue cheeses available in the wider market contain gluten |
| Recommendations | Let your body and your level of sensitivity be your guide |
| Major types of blue cheese | Roquefort, Gorgonzola, Shropshire Blue, Stilton, Danablu, and Maytag Blue Cheese |
| Gluten-free blue cheese brands | Pt. Reyes, Rosenborg |
| Other gluten-free cheeses | Brie, Cheddar, Cottage cheese, Shredded cheese, Cheese spreads, Cheese whiz, String cheese or cheese sticks, Cheese powder |
| Other names for blue cheese | Roquefort, Stilton, Gorgonzola |
| Sources of mold spores | Rye or wheat bread |
| Celiac disease | Strictly avoid gluten |
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What You'll Learn
Blue cheese is usually gluten-free
It's worth noting that modern cheese-making techniques have made the use of bread as a mould-growing medium less common. Additionally, there are gluten-free options available for blue cheese lovers. For example, Rosenborg blue cheese is made using mould cultures that are gluten-free, and there are also gluten-free blue cheese dressings available. The Canadian Celiac Association has added blue cheese to its list of acceptable food ingredients for a gluten-free diet, and analysis by Dr. Terry Koerner's laboratory found no detectable levels of gluten in blue cheese samples.
However, individual sensitivity to gluten varies, and some people with Celiac disease or gluten intolerance may still react to blue cheese. It's always important to carefully observe your body's reactions and consult a healthcare professional if you have any concerns. Additionally, when purchasing blue cheese, it's a good idea to read the ingredients label and choose products that are explicitly labelled as gluten-free.
In summary, while blue cheese is generally considered gluten-free, individual tolerance and the specific ingredients or manufacturing processes of different brands may vary. It's always a good idea to be cautious and informed when it comes to your dietary choices, especially if you have specific health considerations.
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Some blue cheese moulds are grown on gluten-based bread
Blue cheese is usually gluten-free. However, some blue cheese moulds are grown on gluten-based bread, which has led to a debate on whether blue cheese is safe for gluten-intolerant people.
Cheese is naturally gluten-free. However, the process of making blue cheese involves adding mould spores to milk to create the distinctive blue veins. Traditionally, these mould spores were grown on bread or cultures that contain gluten. This has led some to question whether blue cheese contains gluten.
It is important to note that modern cheese-making techniques have largely moved away from using bread as a mould-growing medium. Nonetheless, some artisanal cheesemakers still use traditional methods, including gluten-based bread to grow mould spores. This means that while most blue cheese is unlikely to contain gluten, there may be some brands or varieties that do.
The Canadian Celiac Association (CCA) has studied this issue and concluded that blue cheese is acceptable for a gluten-free diet. Their analysis found that neither cultures grown on gluten-containing media nor those grown on wheat-based dextrose resulted in detectable levels of gluten in the final blue cheese product. This suggests that even if gluten is used in the mould-growing process, it does not end up in the cheese itself.
However, individual sensitivities vary, and some people with celiac disease or gluten intolerance may still react to blue cheese. It is always advisable to consult a healthcare professional and carefully read product labels when introducing potentially sensitive foods into your diet.
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Gluten-free blue cheeses are available
Blue cheese is usually gluten-free. However, some people with gluten intolerance or coeliac disease may experience adverse reactions to blue cheese. This is because, traditionally, blue cheese is made by inoculating milk with mould spores grown on bread or cultures that contain gluten.
Some blue cheeses are made using mould cultures that are gluten-free, such as Rosenborg blue cheese. The Canadian Celiac Association has added blue cheese to its "Acceptability of Food and Food Ingredients for the Gluten-Free Diet" pocket dictionary, meaning that it should be safe for people with celiac disease, gluten intolerance, or those on a gluten-free diet for health reasons.
Even if you are confident that blue cheese will not affect your gluten-free diet, you can ensure your blue cheese has absolutely no traces of gluten by purchasing blue cheeses cultured in wheat-based dextrose.
For a full list of gluten-free blue cheese products, you can check out Sure Foods' "Living List of Gluten-Free Blue Cheese Products". It is also recommended that you consult the label before buying if you are concerned about the less-than-trace amounts of gluten used in making traditional blue cheese.
If you are eating out at a restaurant, it is recommended that you only eat blue cheese if the restaurant has explicit protocols, such as a separate kitchen or little-to-no gluten on the menu.
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Reactions vary from person to person
While blue cheese is typically gluten-free, some people with gluten intolerance or coeliac disease may still experience adverse reactions to it. This is because some blue cheeses are made using mould spores grown on gluten-based bread. However, modern cheese-making techniques have largely done away with this practice, and only a few traditional cheesemakers still use bread to grow their mould.
Even when mould spores are grown on bread, the amount of gluten that ends up in the cheese is very small. Analysis of blue cheese samples by Dr Terry Koerner's laboratory at Health Canada's Food Research Division found that neither cultures grown on gluten-containing media nor those grown on wheat-based dextrose contained detectable levels of gluten when formed into blue cheese.
Despite this, some people with gluten intolerance or coeliac disease report experiencing reactions to blue cheese. This could be due to individual sensitivity, as well as the possibility of lactose intolerance, which is common in people with coeliac disease. For example, one person with coeliac disease reports reacting strongly to several blue cheeses and therefore chooses to avoid them altogether. Another person with gluten intolerance expresses surprise at learning that blue cheese may contain gluten, having experienced a reaction to it in the past.
It is important to note that individual reactions to blue cheese may vary, and it is always advisable to consult a healthcare professional or dietitian for personalised advice. While blue cheese is generally considered safe for gluten-free diets, it is essential to read labels, verify ingredients, and make informed choices based on one's specific needs and sensitivities.
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Blue cheese dressing may not be gluten-free
Blue cheese is usually gluten-free. However, the process of making blue cheese involves adding mould spores to milk to create blue veins in the cheese. Traditionally, these mould spores are grown on bread or cultures that contain gluten. This has led to confusion and concern about whether blue cheese is safe for gluten-free diets.
While modern cheese-making techniques have made gluten-containing bread obsolete as a mould-growing medium, some artisans still use traditional methods, which means that some blue cheeses may contain gluten. The Canadian Celiac Association (CCA) has deemed blue cheese acceptable for gluten-free diets, and some sources suggest that even if gluten is present, it is in such small amounts that it is unlikely to cause a reaction.
However, individual sensitivity to gluten varies, and some people with Celiac disease or gluten intolerance may still react to the small amounts of gluten that may be present in blue cheese. Therefore, it is essential to read labels and verify the gluten content of specific blue cheese products.
When it comes to blue cheese dressing, the answer becomes more complicated. In addition to the potential gluten content of the blue cheese itself, the dressing may contain other ingredients that introduce gluten. It is important to review the ingredients list for any obvious sources of gluten or wheat before purchasing. A gluten-free label on blue cheese dressing indicates that the product contains less than 20ppm of gluten. Some popular gluten-free blue cheese dressing brands include Ken's Steak House, Litehouse Dressing, Bolthouse Farms, and Marie's Dressing.
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Frequently asked questions
Traditionally, blue cheese has been made by inoculating milk with mold spores grown on bread or cultures that contain gluten. However, modern cheese-making techniques have made bread obsolete as a mold-growing medium.
Unless the ingredients label includes wheat, barley, rye, or their derivatives, the blue cheese should be gluten-free. You can also refer to lists of gluten-free blue cheese products, such as Sure Foods' "Living List of Gluten-Free Blue Cheese Products".
While blue cheese itself may be gluten-free, blue cheese dressings may contain other ingredients that are not gluten-free. Always check the label for a gluten-free certification or a list of ingredients that may contain gluten.
