Is Peanut Butter Gluten-Free?
If you live with gluten sensitivity or have celiac disease, there’s a good chance you’re familiar with the foods that fit in a gluten-free diet. Luckily, many whole foods, including fruits and vegetables, beans, nuts, and seeds, are naturally gluten-free. For other foods, though, especially processed items, it’s best practice to read labels and ingredient lists to determine if they contain gluten or not. One of those foods is peanut butter. Yes, it’s made with nuts, which are naturally gluten-free, but is it safe for someone with celiac or gluten-sensitivity to consume? Let’s just say not all nut butters are created equal! Here’s what you need to know.
What is Gluten?
Gluten is a protein found in wheat, but also barley, rye, triticale, malt, and brewer’s yeast. For people with celiac disease these foods trigger an immune response that attacks the small intestine. The continued attacks from consuming gluten damage the villi (little fingerlike projections) in the intestine, which leads to malabsorption of nutrients and can cause gastrointestinal distress, fatigue, and other long-term health conditions. The primary treatment for celiac disease is a gluten-free diet.
How is Peanut Butter Made?
Many “natural” peanut butters are made by grinding peanuts into a spreadable consistency– sometimes they have added salt, but usually nothing else. Other more processed butters contain ingredients that help preserve and improve texture, and also prevent separation. Some of those ingredients are gluten-free, but not all of them.
Where is Peanut Butter Made?
The ingredient list reveals a lot about whether or not the peanut butter is gluten free, but it also matters where the peanut butter is made. Some peanut butter companies have dedicated gluten-free facilities, meaning nothing with gluten ever enters the premises. Other companies may process their peanut butter in the same building as other products made with gluten, which can increase the risk of cross-contamination.
How Do You Find a Gluten Free Peanut Butter?
The label is the best place to start. Look for the gluten-free designation, which indicates that the product has been verified gluten-free. The label also often includes a statement about the facility where the peanut butter was processed, which can provide clarity on any potential cross contamination.
Luckily our creamy and crunchy peanut butters are gluten-free and made in a peanut-only facility. That means they’re safe for anyone with celiac disease or gluten-sensitivity to consume!
Nut Butter Questions, Answered
Are all of Once Again’s Nut Butters Gluten-Free?
Yes! All of our nut butters and our seed butters are verified gluten-free!
Is Once Again Nut Butter free of other allergens?
Our peanut butters are made in a dedicated peanut-only facility, completely separate from where we craft our other nut and seed butters. Almond, cashew and sunflower butters and tahini are prepared in a different facility with strict equipment controls and carefully segregated areas. Every precaution is taken to reduce the chance of cross-contact, yet because safety is so important, we encourage those with allergies or heightened sensitivities to exercise extra caution when choosing products
Are Your Snacks Gluten-Free?
Yes! Our graham cracker sandwiches are also gluten-free. They come in three great flavors too–Peanut Butter, Chocolate-Peanut Butter and Sunflower Butter!
Ready to enjoy your Once Again Peanut Butter? We have plenty of recipes and products to help with snacking and meal planning!
