Rice Chex is a popular breakfast cereal made by Kellogg’s. With many varieties of Rice Chex on the market, one common question is whether they are all gluten-free. For those with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity, knowing which cereals are safe to eat is an important concern.
What is Rice Chex?
Rice Chex cereal first appeared on the market in 1976. It was marketed as a rice-based alternative to Wheat Chex, containing rice instead of wheat. Rice Chex varieties include:
- Original Rice Chex
- Honey Nut Rice Chex
- Chocolate Rice Chex
- Cinnamon Rice Chex
- Vanilla Rice Chex
- Strawberry Rice Chex
Rice Chex cereals are made from rice, sugar, malt flavoring, and salt. Some varieties contain other ingredients like nuts, chocolate, or fruit flavors. Rice Chex has a crispy, crunchy texture from being baked into rice-shaped pieces.
What is gluten?
Gluten is a type of protein found in grains like wheat, barley, and rye. It acts as a glue to help foods maintain their shape and texture. Gluten provides the chewy, elastic texture in products like bread, pasta, and cereals.
For people with celiac disease or non-celiac gluten sensitivity, consuming gluten triggers an immune response that damages the small intestine. This can cause gastrointestinal symptoms like diarrhea, bloating, and abdominal pain. A gluten-free diet is the only treatment for gluten disorders.
Are Rice Chex gluten-free?
Yes, all varieties of Rice Chex cereal are certified gluten-free. They are made without any wheat, barley, rye, or related grains that contain gluten. You can find “gluten-free” labeled on Rice Chex cereal boxes.
According to Kellogg’s, Rice Chex contains less than 20 parts per million (ppm) of gluten. Foods with less than 20 ppm of gluten are considered gluten-free. This very low level of gluten is unlikely to cause issues for the majority of those sensitive to gluten.
Ingredients
Checking the ingredients list of Rice Chex is another way to verify the cereals are gluten-free. The main ingredients are rice, sugar, malt flavoring, and salt. None of these contain gluten. Any additional ingredients like chocolate or fruit flavors are also gluten-free.
Manufacturing process
Rice Chex are produced at facilities that do not process wheat or other gluten grains. This helps avoid any risk of cross-contamination. All equipment is thoroughly cleaned and sanitized between production runs of different cereals.
Third-party testing
Samples of Rice Chex are regularly tested by independent third-party laboratories. This ensures the finished products remain well below the FDA gluten-free standard of less than 20 ppm.
Certifications
Rice Chex cereals carry several recognized gluten-free certifications, including:
- Gluten-Free Certification Organization (GFCO)
- National Celiac Association Recognition Seal
- Celiac Support Association Recognition Seal
These certifications indicate the cereals have passed rigorous standards to test for the presence of gluten during manufacturing. The GFCO requires testing to 10 ppm of gluten or less for certification.
Are they processed safely for celiacs?
Yes, Rice Chex cereals are considered very safe for those with celiac disease when labeled gluten-free. Kellogg’s takes several steps to avoid cross-contamination with gluten:
- No gluten ingredients are used
- Equipment and facilities are thoroughly cleaned and sanitized
- Gluten-free cereals are produced first after equipment cleaning
- Extensive product testing detects any presence of gluten
Many celiacs consume Rice Chex with no issues. However, it is still important to check each package for the gluten-free label in case of formulation changes.
Are all Rice Chex vegan?
Most varieties of Rice Chex are also vegan, meaning they do not contain any animal-derived ingredients. However, some flavors contain milk ingredients and are not vegan-friendly:
- Honey Nut Rice Chex – contains milk
- Chocolate Rice Chex – contains milk
- Reese’s Puffs Rice Chex- contains milk
Original, Cinnamon, Vanilla, and Strawberry Rice Chex are vegan-certified and do not contain milk, eggs, or other animal products. Always check the ingredients list if avoiding dairy.
Where to buy gluten-free Rice Chex
There are many options for purchasing gluten-free Rice Chex cereal:
- Grocery stores – sold in the cereal aisle, often marked gluten-free
- Online stores like Amazon, Walmart, Target
- Big box stores like Costco and Sam’s Club
- Natural food stores like Whole Foods, Sprouts
- Kellogg’s website – can order variety packs
Rice Chex can be purchased in individual boxes or larger bulk family packs. Gluten-free all-purpose flour blends sometimes include Rice Chex too.
Price
On average, Rice Chex costs between $3-$6 USD per 8-12 oz box. Larger family size packs offer more value per ounce. Sale prices can be found around $2.50-$3 per box. Gluten-free cereals are often more expensive than those containing gluten.
Here are some average prices for common sizes:
| Rice Chex | Size | Average Price |
|---|---|---|
| Original | 12 oz | $3.50 |
| Honey Nut | 14 oz | $4.29 |
| Chocolate | 8.7 oz | $3.99 |
| Cinnamon | 14.5 oz | $5.49 |
| Variety pack | 32 oz | $8.99 |
Rice Chex nutrition facts
All Rice Chex have similar nutrition profiles. Here are the nutrition facts for 1 cup (29g) of Original Rice Chex cereal:
| Calories | 110 |
|---|---|
| Carbohydrates | 24g |
| Fiber | 0g |
| Sugars | 2g |
| Protein | 2g |
| Fat | 0.5g |
Rice Chex are low in fat and protein. The calories come mainly from carbohydrates. There is 0 grams of fiber. Added sugars are kept low at just 2 grams per serving.
The honey nut and chocolate flavors have slightly more sugar and fat due to the nuts and chocolate. Overall, Rice Chex provide a light, crunchy breakfast option without too many add-ins.
Uses for Rice Chex
Rice Chex cereal isn’t just for breakfast! Here are some alternative ways to enjoy this gluten-free cereal:
- Snack Mix – Combine flavors like Cinnamon Rice Chex with nuts and dried fruit
- Granola – Toss with honey, oats, and dried fruit then bake into granola clusters
- Candy Bars – Make no-bake bars with peanut butter, chocolate, and Rice Chex as the base
- Trail Mix – Mix in chocolate, seeds, pretzels, dried fruit for an on-the-go snack
- Crusted Chicken – Crush up Rice Chex to make a crunchy coating for baked chicken
- Ice Cream Topper – Sprinkle Cinnamon Rice Chex over ice cream sundaes
Crushing Rice Chex into crumbs or coarse pieces opens up uses for baked goods, breading, and more. You can substitute Rice Chex for gluten-free bread crumbs easily.
Do Rice Chex go bad?
Properly stored, Rice Chex has a long shelf life of 9-12 months past the printed date on the box. Keep boxes sealed in a cool, dry pantry to maximize freshness. Once opened, cereals last about 2-3 months before going stale.
Signs Rice Chex may have gone bad include:
- Stale, soggy texture
- Off smell
- Visible mold
- Taste is off
If Rice Chex smells or tastes rancid, it is best to throw it out. For cereal that is merely stale, you can try crisping it up again in the oven.
Freezing
To extend the shelf life even longer, store Rice Chex in the freezer. They will keep for 6-12 months frozen. Allow the cereal to come to room temp before eating for best texture.
Food safety
Discard any boxes that are open and show signs of moisture or insect infestation. Do not eat Rice Chex past the expiration date printed on the box as it could be unsafe.
Comparison to other gluten-free cereals
Rice Chex stands out among gluten-free cereals for its simplicity. It has few ingredients and no added vitamins or minerals. Here’s how Rice Chex compares to some other popular gluten-free cereals:
| Cereal | Main ingredients | Texture | Added sugars |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rice Chex | Rice, sugar, salt | Crispy, crunchy | Low |
| Corn Chex | Corn, rice, sugar | Crunchy | Low |
| Cascadian Farm | Corn, rice, oats | Chewy | Medium-high |
| Cheerios | Oats, rice, corn | Crunchy O-shape | Medium |
| Kinnikinnick | Rice, millet, quinoa | Crunchy | Low-medium |
Rice Chex has a leg up being made from just rice. Those sensitive to corn or oats would need to avoid other cereals containing those grains.
Conclusion
In summary, all varieties of Rice Chex cereal are gluten-free and contain less than 20 ppm of gluten. This makes them a very safe option for those with celiac disease or gluten intolerance. Rice Chex production follows strict protocols to prevent cross-contamination with gluten.
While inexpensive, Rice Chex offer good nutrition in a crispy gluten-free cereal. Check labels to confirm gluten-free status when purchasing. Properly stored, unopened boxes will stay fresh for about 1 year.
Rice Chex can be used in many creative ways beyond just cereal. Their simplicity makes them a pantry staple cereal for those eating gluten-free. Enjoy Rice Chex on their own or in recipes for a crunchy, gluten-free ingredient.
