Bertucci’s is a popular Italian restaurant chain that serves a variety of pizza, pasta, and salad dishes. One of Bertucci’s signature menu items is their rolls, which come hot out of the oven in a parchment paper wrap. But are Bertucci rolls dairy free? Let’s take a closer look at the ingredients to find out.
The Main Ingredients in Bertucci Rolls
According to the Bertucci’s website, the main ingredients in their rolls include:
- Enriched wheat flour (flour, malted barley flour, niacin, reduced iron, thiamin mononitrate, riboflavin, folic acid)
- Water
- Yeast
- Sugar
- Salt
- Soybean oil
- Dough conditioners (wheat flour, malted barley flour, ascorbic acid, enzymes)
At first glance, this ingredient list does not appear to contain any overt dairy products like milk, butter, or cheese. However, there are a few ingredients that we need to examine more closely.
Hidden Sources of Dairy
When evaluating whether a food product is dairy-free, you have to look out for “hidden” dairy ingredients that originate from milk. Here are some potential sources of dairy in the Bertucci rolls:
Malted Barley Flour
Malted barley flour is derived from barley grains that have been allowed to germinate. This malting process activates enzymes that break down starches into sugars. Malted barley flour is commonly used in breadmaking for its sweetness and ability to help bread rise.
During the malting process, barley grains are often soaked in water or milk. The malted barley is then dried and ground into flour. If milk was used during malting, the flour could contain traces of dairy that would make the product unsuitable for people with milk allergies or vegans.
Dough Conditioners
Bertucci states that its rolls contain “dough conditioners (wheat flour, malted barley flour, ascorbic acid, enzymes).” Dough conditioners help improve the texture and rise of bread. Enzymes are often derived from animal sources like pigs, cows, or fish. However, dough conditioner enzymes can also come from microorganisms through a fermentation process.
Without more specifics on the exact enzymes used, it is unclear if the dough conditioners introduce any dairy products into Bertucci’s rolls.
Natural Flavors
In addition to the main ingredients listed, many foods contain “natural flavors” to enhance taste. These flavorings often contain dairy products like whey, milk solids, or casein. However, Bertucci’s does not call out natural flavors in their roll ingredients.
Testing for Milk Allergens
To truly determine if a product contains milk allergens, it needs to be tested using an ELISA test. This enzymatic test can detect milk protein residues down to parts per million. Many food manufacturers will state if a product is “processed in a facility that also processes milk products.” Bertucci’s does not make this disclaimer about its rolls.
Contacting the Company
Because of the uncertainty around possible hidden dairy ingredients, the best way to find out if Bertucci rolls are dairy-free is to contact the company directly. You can call Bertucci’s customer service or reach out via email or social media to ask about their manufacturing processes and use of dairy products.
Here are some example questions you could ask:
- Are your rolls vegan and dairy-free? Do they contain any milk-derived ingredients like whey?
- Do you use cow’s milk or other dairy products during the malting process for the malted barley flour?
- What specific enzymes are used in your dough conditioners? Are they sourced from animals?
- What type of facility do you use to make the rolls? Do you also process milk products on the same equipment?
Reaching out directly will help you get definitive answers on Bertucci’s dairy-free status from the source. You may also request to see any allergen testing they have performed on the rolls to check for milk residues.
What Customers Are Saying
In the absence of an official response from the company, we can look at what customers with dairy allergies and vegans are saying about eating Bertucci’s rolls:
- Some vegans have reported eating the rolls with no issues and believe they are dairy-free.
- Individuals with dairy allergies have consumed the rolls without reacting, indicating a lack of milk allergens.
- However, some contradictory reviews state the rolls “may contain” dairy or include a milk allergy warning.
Vegan and food allergy sites have the rolls listed as “unverified – may contain dairy.” So while many people seem to tolerate them, there is still uncertainty based on the available reviews.
Cross-Contamination Risk
Even if Bertucci’s rolls lack obvious dairy ingredients, there is still a risk of cross-contamination at the restaurant. Dairy products like cheese and butter are used in many Bertucci’s menu items, often in the same kitchen areas.
Milk allergens could inadvertently transfer onto the rolls from shared surfaces, fryers, utensils, and hands. This poses a hazard for dairy-free diners with severe milk allergies. Those with less acute sensitivities may have fewer issues.
Alternatives if Avoiding Dairy
If you want to take a very cautious approach, there are some alternatives to enjoy instead of the Bertucci rolls:
- Order a dairy-free Bertucci’s pizza or pasta dish and avoid the rolls.
- Request olive oil instead of butter to dip your rolls to reduce dairy exposure.
- For a birthday or special event, bring your own dairy-free rolls to have instead.
- Choose to dine at a restaurant with clearly labeled vegan/dairy-free bread options.
Being selective about your menu choices and asking questions can help minimize any risk. Ultimately, the decision comes down to your own comfort level.
The Bottom Line
In summary, here’s the bottom line on whether Bertucci’s rolls are dairy-free:
- The main ingredients list does not call out obvious dairy products.
- But components like malted barley flour and dough conditioners may introduce traces of milk-based ingredients.
- The company does not confirm the rolls are vegan or dairy-free on its website or packaging.
- Many customers report safely eating the rolls with dairy issues, but some conflicting experiences create uncertainty.
- Cross-contamination is possible from the restaurant’s use of dairy products like cheese.
- Contacting the company directly or bringing your own rolls can help minimize any risk.
While the rolls are likely fine for some dairy-free diners, there is not enough solid evidence to guarantee they are 100% dairy-free. Being cautious is advised if you have severe milk allergies or strictly avoid milk products.
The Need for Improved Food Labeling
This analysis highlights the broader challenges of identifying allergen and vegan status when dining out. Ambiguous ingredients, risk of cross-contamination, and lack of transparent labeling makes it hard to determine dairy-free status.
As food allergies and vegan diets become more prevalent, restaurants need to step up and provide clearer ingredient and preparation details. Lists of major allergens used in the kitchen should be readily available. Servers must be knowledgeable on menu items so they can properly advise guests.
More restaurants could designate certain meals as “dairy-free” or “vegan” to eliminate guesswork. Or they could allow diners to fully customize orders to their dietary needs. There is also room for innovation around new tools to communicate ingredients, like digital labels, QR codes on menus, or on-demand allergen binders.
The burden should not fall on the consumer to constantly call companies or scrutinize vague ingredient statements. Increased transparency, communication, and accountability from food providers is required to create a truly allergy-friendly and ethical food system.
The Takeaway on Bertucci Rolls
Here are the key takeaways on whether Bertucci’s signature rolls are dairy-free:
- The main ingredients appear dairy-free, but certain components raise questions.
- Reviews are mixed, with some reporting safely eating them but uncertainty remains.
- Cross-contamination is possible from dairy-filled menu items.
- Contact the company directly for their official position on dairy content.
- Bring your own backup rolls if you have severe milk allergies and want to be extra cautious.
- More transparency from restaurants is needed on allergens for those with dietary restrictions.
While the likelihood of overt dairy ingredients seems low, individuals with anaphylactic allergies should use judgment to avoid potential issues. Being proactive by calling ahead and asking questions can help make dining at Bertucci’s an enjoyable, stress-free experience for all.
