For most people, moving to a gluten-free diet is a major lifestyle change. Wheat, barley, and sometimes rye form the greater part of almost every meal. From toast and pancakes for breakfast, to sandwiches, hamburgers, and dinner rolls, gluten shows up on a regular basis. While designing gluten-free meals is more timely than difficult, sometimes seasonings get overlooked.
Gluten-free spices, seasonings, and herbs are easy to find at any grocery store. However, only single ingredient products are inherently gluten free. If used to buying combinations of spices, quick-and-easy gourmet seasoning mixes, all-purpose seasonings, or cheap, off-brand herbs and spices, you might need to switch to a different brand. Read on to discover the cautions and brands that can keep you safe and help you heal.
All-Purpose Seasonings and Mixtures of Herbs and Spices May Contain Wheat
At one time, many manufacturers put wheat in their all-purpose seasonings or ground spices to keep their mixes from clumping. While most brands today use silicon dioxide, sodium aluminum silica, or calcium silicate, some cheaper, off-brand products still use wheat. When purchasing an herb or spice blend, be sure to check the label. If a manufacturer has added wheat it must say that on the label.
Gluten-Free Diets and McCormick Spices – 5th Season Brand Spices and Herbs
Most celiacs and gluten-intolerant individuals find it easier to shop for seasonings if they stick to brands like McCormick who have a good reputation for not hiding gluten beneath the general terms of natural flavorings and spices. While McCormick spices and herbs are not run on gluten-free dedicated lines, the company thoroughly cleans the line and machinery between each run.
Name brands can get expensive, especially when you add in the cost of other ingredients needed for gluten-free cooking. When replacing wheat flour with other whole-grain or white-rice flours, more seasonings and extracts are used to replace the missing flavor of wheat. The 5th Season brand sold at Walmart costs around 50 cents. They are older, repackaged McCormick spices sold at a lower cost.
While older seasonings are weaker, a bit faded, and less flavorful compared to major brands, if you're on a strict budget they make a great alternative. At less than 25% of the price of other brands, they’re extremely cost effective even though you need to use a heavy hand.
Gluten-Free Brands List
Although single ingredients are inherently gluten free, cross contamination can be a serious problem for those extra-sensitive to gluten. The same holds true for some of the major brands listed below. While these companies declare any added gluten openly on the label, they are not labeled gluten free.
For example, McCormick products are run on the same lines as other gluten-containing products, but thoroughly clean the lines between runs; and Mrs. Dash salt-free seasonings are produced on gluten-free dedicated lines but packaged in a facility that also packages products with wheat. While both companies take every precaution to ensure safety, they cannot guarantee their products are 100% gluten free. If you need spices produced in a gluten-free facility, you can buy them online through Penzy’s spices. While a couple of their products do contain wheat they are packaged in a different facility from their other spices.
The following brands are some of the most popular among those with celiac disease and gluten intolerance:
- 5th Season spices and herbs
- Benson’s Gourmet Seasonings
- Durkee spices and herbs
- Emeril: Bam! Burger seasoning; and chicken, fish, rib, and steak rubs
- Lawry’s salts and pepper seasonings
- McCormick spices, seasonings, and herbs
- McCormick Grillmates spice mixes and marinades
- McCormick taco seasoning mix
- Mrs. Dash salt-free seasonings and spices
- Penzy’s spices and herbs (gluten-free facility)
- Spice Island spices and herbs
- Tone’s spices and herbs
- Weber seasonings (Sweet’n Tangy BBQ Seasoning is not gluten free)
This list is not all inclusive, as there are many brands that are gluten-free. Nor do these particular brands claim that all of their products are safe. Reading each label and calling the manufacturer to verify their gluten-free status is a must.
Spices Need to be Gluten-Free
If following a gluten-free diet, don't forget to check your seasonings. While most individuals stick with McCormick or Penzy’s spices for convenience, there are many brands on the market today that sell good gluten-free products. However, safety and healing requires direct communication with the company. While online lists can help, most are outdated and offer only a starting point from which to begin your own personal research.
Label reading is a must, but can also be confusing. Although all major allergens are required to be listed on the label, gluten is not one of those allergens. To learn more about reading labels, the article How to Read Food Product Labels for Gluten-Free Casein-Free Diets explains the laws regarding gluten-free labeling, where gluten hides, and clears up some of the largest misconceptions about hidden gluten. If you need help designing a safe diet, read How to Switch to a Gluten-Free Casein-Free Diet for the basics.
Vickie Ewell - Vickie has worked with autistic individuals for 9 years. She has celiac disease and specializes in gfcf living.
Join the Conversation