Gluten free has become very common among Americans and worldwide. Due to the increasing awareness on gluten free alternatives people are reviewing the past and present of what is gluten and if food really does contain traces of gluten.
Pringles are not gluten-free. All of their products contain wheat starch. Wheat starch can be considered gluten-free but in the processing they add some flavors that are not gluten free.
Pringles are considered to be gluten-free as they do not contain wheat, rye and barley
The Pringles Company is owned by Procter & Gamble and the company makes potato chips in a variety of flavors. The company’s website states that “Pringles are gluten-free, but there may be small amounts of wheat flour used in our manufacturing process.”
Gluten is a protein found in some grains such as wheat, rye and barley, which can cause an adverse reaction in people who have celiac disease or non-celiac gluten sensitivity.
Gluten-Free Diet
If you have celiac disease or non-celiac gluten sensitivity, you should follow a strict gluten-free diet. This means avoiding all foods that contain wheat, rye and barley. Other grains such as corn and oats don’t contain gluten but some people with celiac disease or non-celiac gluten sensitivity may react to them as well.
Pringles are manufactured by Kellogg’s and are officially gluten-free
Kellogg’s has confirmed that Pringles are gluten-free. The company also says that the manufacturing process for its other snacks, like Pop Tarts and Kashi Granola Bars, is not likely to contaminate them with gluten ingredients.
However, if you want to be sure that your Pringles are gluten-free, check the label to see if they contain wheat starch or any other gluten ingredients. If there is any doubt about whether a food contains gluten or not, it’s best to avoid it in case of cross-contamination during manufacturing or transportation.
Wheat
Pringles are not considered gluten-free because they contain wheat starch, which is derived from wheat. Pringles are made from potato flakes and other ingredients. The potato flakes are cooked and formed into dough, which is used to make the Pringles shape. Wheat starch is added to this dough as a binder, along with seasonings and other ingredients.
Wheat is a common ingredient in many foods that seem to be gluten-free. For example, wheat flour is often used as a thickener or binder in processed foods like gravy mixes or canned soups. So even if you’re avoiding gluten-sources like wheat breads and pastas, it’s important to read labels carefully on processed foods that contain wheat ingredients such as wheat starch or modified food starch.
Pringles are made with several different ingredients
The following list includes the ingredients in the original Pringles flavors:
- White potatoes
- Partially hydrogenated soybean and cottonseed oils
- Wheat starch
- Salt and dextrose
- Corn flour
- Monosodium glutamate
- Yeast extract.
The following are some of the ingredients found in other Pringles flavors:
- Original flavor chips: potato flour, rice flour, corn flour (source)
- Red Hot Chili Peppers seasoning: wheat flour, salt and spices (source) Sour Cream & Onion seasoning: wheat flour and spices (source) Ranch dressing chips: wheat flour, garlic powder, onion powder
Wheat starch and gluten
Pringles are made with wheat starch, which is a gluten-free ingredient. In fact, Pringles are certified gluten-free by the Gluten Intolerance Group (GIG). The Gluten Intolerance Group says that wheat starch is made from wheat gluten and water. Wheat gluten is a protein found in wheat flour that makes dough elastic and helps bread rise.
If you’re allergic to gluten or celiac disease, you’ll want to avoid foods made with wheat starch because they could contain traces of wheat gluten. But if you’re just avoiding wheat because of its potential for causing digestive issues or allergies, these chips should be safe for you to eat.
What to eat when you have celiac disease or a gluten sensitivity
Pringles are made with potatoes, but not all potato chips are gluten free. If you’re sensitive to gluten, it’s important to read labels carefully. Pringles are made with potatoes, which is a safe starch for people who have celiac disease or a gluten sensitivity.
- Wheat starch is used as a coating on the chips. This ingredient helps give them their unique crunchy texture and taste. Wheat flour is used to make the crisps inside the canister. Modified food starch is another ingredient used in Pringles cans. This type of starch is made from corn or wheat and may contain traces of gluten from cross contamination during processing or packaging .
There are many people who have celiac disease or a gluten sensitivity who can’t eat a lot of what they used to eat, or at least need to be careful about what they eat. You don’t want to miss out on the fun! So here’s a list of foods that are gluten-free and safe for people with celiac disease or a gluten sensitivity:
- Rice Chex cereal
- Corn Chex cereal
- Rice Krispies cereal (and other Kellogg’s cereals)
- Corn Pops cereal (and other Kellogg’s cereals)
- Grape-Nuts cereal
- Special K cereal (and other Kellogg’s cereals)
- All varieties of Cheerios (except Honey Nut Cheerios)
- All varieties of Wheaties (except Honey Nut Wheaties)
Conclusion
If you have found that Pringles have been part of a healthy diet for you because they are gluten-free, it is best to continue to use them. They are not just good for you in terms of the taste and flavor, but they are good for you in the way they are made. The combination of their ingredients make it possible for certain people to maintain a healthy lifestyle using them. Never give up on a product when you have found that it works well with your diet, and good luck finding a gluten-free Pringle around the corner.