Is Ketchup Gluten Free?

‍Ketchup is a popular condiment known for its sweet and tangy flavor. Consumers would like to know if ketchup is gluten free or not.

Ketchup is considered gluten-free. All the ingredients used to make ketchup are naturally gluten-free. The ingredients don’t contain wheat, barley or any gluten-containing grains. This product should be safe for individuals who follow a gluten-free diet.

‍Our mission is to provide easy-to-understand, accurate, reliable and up-to-date information to people on a gluten-free diet. We share this information through short-form and long-form guides, among other content pieces. Our top-notch team, comprising subject matter experts from different fields, crafts every piece that we share. So, we can guarantee that your gluten-related information is coming from a trustworthy source.

‍Does Ketchup Have Gluten?

Ketchup is a popular condiment that's often used on burgers, meatloaf, eggs, hot dogs, fries or just any other dish that you want to enhance its taste and flavor. You can find ketchup in almost every home or restaurant across the country.

If you're someone who follows a gluten-free diet, you may have wondered whether ketchup is safe to consume.

For people with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity, consuming gluten can cause a range of symptoms, including bloating, diarrhea, and abdominal pain. In some cases, gluten consumption can even damage the lining of the small intestine, leading to long-term health problems.

So, if you’ve been recently diagnosed with a gluten-related complication, you may be probably wondering; is ketchup gluten-free? Does ketchup have gluten? Is ketchup safe for people on a gluten-free diet?

To answer the above questions, it is essential to understand the ingredients used in making ketchup. Ketchup is a condiment made from tomatoes, vinegar, sweeteners, and spices. Ketchup is considered naturally gluten-free, since it doesn’t contain any gluten grains.

But, some ketchup brands may contain added ingredients that are not gluten-free, such as malt vinegar or modified food starch. If you are unsure whether a particular brand of ketchup is gluten-free, you can always contact the manufacturer to ask.

If you are dining out and want to use ketchup, it's always a good idea to ask the server or chef about the ingredients. They may be able to provide you with a gluten-free option or suggest an alternative condiment.

In summary, most ketchup brands are gluten-free, but it's important to always read the label and check for hidden sources of gluten. If you are unsure, don't hesitate to ask the manufacturer or restaurant staff for more information.

Is Ketchup Safe for Celiac Disease?

If you have celiac disease, you need to be wary of everything you consume, so that you don’t end up with gluten-related complications. So, is ketchup safe to consume for people with celiac disease? Can you consume ketchup if you are a celiac?

Ketchup is made using the following ingredients; a sweet puree of tomatoes, green peppers, onions, corn syrup, distilled vinegar, salt, high fructose corn syrup and several spices.

None of the ingredients used to make ketchup has gluten, meaning that ketchup should be safe to consume for people with celiac disease.

But, there are some situations where gluten could find its way into ketchup. First, vinegar is one of the key ingredients used to make ketchup. Unfortunately, some ketchup brands out there use malt vinegar, obtained from wheat and barley.

Since barley and wheat are gluten grains, the vinegar obtained from them may also have traces of gluten.

If a manufacturer uses such vinegar, then the resulting ketchup will also be contaminated with vinegar. So, if you have celiac disease and you want to add ketchup to your dishes, you should avoid brands that use malt vinegar.

Instead, you should ensure you only go for one made using apple cider vinegar or distilled vinegar.

Second, while ketchup may not have any gluten-containing ingredients, it may still be cross-contaminated with gluten during the manufacturing process.

If ketchup is made using a shared facility that also handles gluten-containing foods, then the risk of gluten cross-contamination is high.

Again, ensure you check whether the ketchup you are looking to buy has been produced in shared facilities. Ideally, you should only go for ketchup produced in dedicated gluten-free facilities.

Third, some ketchup brands may include additives like artificial colors, stabilizing agents, and thickening agents. Such ingredients may or may not have gluten.

If you have celiac disease, you need to go through the label or packaging of the ketchup you are looking to purchase to ensure it doesn’t have any gluten-containing ingredients.

If this information hasn’t been included on the product’s label, then you should get in touch with the manufacturer and enquire about the same.

Top Gluten-Free Ketchup Brands

If you are on a gluten-free diet, ketchup should be safe for you. But, we’ve identified several scenarios where gluten may find its way into ketchup, making it unsafe for people with celiac disease, gluten sensitivity and gluten intolerance.

To avoid any potential complications, you should only go for gluten-free ketchup brands if you are on a gluten-free diet. Here are a few gluten-free ketchup brands that are safe for people who experience gluten-related issues.

Walden Farms

Walden Farms is renowned for making healthy, low-carb and gluten-free products. Its ketchup is also certified gluten-free, sugar-free and safe for keto and vegan diets.

The ingredients used to make its ketchup are tomato paste, white distilled vinegar, spices, apple cider, xanthan gum and gluten-free flavorings. Walden Farms ketchup also carries a gluten-free label on the packaging.

French’s

French’s ketchup is used all across the country. It’s yet another great ketchup for people on a gluten-free diet. The ingredients used to make this ketchup are tomato concentrate, onion powder, distilled vinegar, spices, salt and sugar. It also comes with natural flavors, which are all gluten-free.

Organicville

Organicville has been making organic food products for decades. Its ketchup is not only organic but also labeled gluten-free. According to the founder, the vinegar used to make this brand’s ketchup is certified gluten-free.

Annie’s Organic

This brand’s ketchup is certified gluten-free to 20ppm, non-GMO, vegan and organic. It doesn’t contain any artificial colors, preservatives or flavors. The ingredients used to make this ketchup are tomato paste, cloves, distilled white vinegar, water, dried onion, cane sugar, allspice, and sea salt.

Unlike other ketchup brands out there, Annie’s Organic ketchup also doesn’t have high-fructose corn syrup. According to the company, the vinegar used to make this ketchup hasn’t been derived from wheat, beets or corn. It’s therefore safe for people on a gluten-free diet.

Sir Kensington

Sir Kensington is yet another option for people looking for gluten-free ketchup brands. Its ketchup contains gluten-free ingredients like tomato paste, tomatoes, organic cane sugar, water, distilled vinegar, lime juice concentrate, green bell peppers, salt, allspice, and onions. This ketchup is labeled gluten-free. It’s also vegan-certified and non-GMO.

Heinz

Heinz is a household ketchup brand in the country. It’s also considered gluten-free. As much as this ketchup doesn’t bear the gluten-free label, all the ingredients used to make it are gluten-free, meaning it’s safe for people with all gluten-related conditions.

Can You Make Gluten-Free Ketchup at Home?

The gluten-free ketchup brands we’ve discussed above should be safe for individuals on a gluten-free diet. But, if you still have concerns with store-bought ketchup, then you can simply make yours at home.

The ingredients are readily available and the entire process is easy. You simply need to search for gluten-free ketchup recipes and then use the one that aligns best with your needs.