Gluten-free diets have become increasingly popular in recent years, with more and more people cutting gluten out of their diets for health or lifestyle reasons. For those avoiding gluten, finding trusted gluten-free brands and products is essential. One popular brand of gluten-free flours and baking mixes is Bob’s Red Mill.
What is gluten?
Gluten is a protein found in wheat, barley, and rye. For most people, gluten does not cause any issues. However, for those with celiac disease or non-celiac gluten sensitivity, gluten can cause serious health problems and must be avoided.
When those with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity consume gluten, it damages the small intestine and prevents the body from properly absorbing nutrients. This can lead to symptoms like bloating, diarrhea, abdominal pain, fatigue, and in children, stunted growth and nutrient deficiencies.
The only treatment for celiac disease is following a strict lifelong gluten-free diet. Eating gluten must also be avoided by those with non-celiac gluten sensitivity to manage symptoms.
What makes a food product gluten-free?
For a food product to be considered gluten-free, it must contain less than 20 parts per million (ppm) of gluten. This threshold was established based on extensive research on the amount of gluten that can be safely consumed by those with celiac disease.
Any ingredients derived from gluten-containing grains like wheat, barley, and rye must be removed or substituted in a gluten-free product. Oats can also contain traces of gluten due to cross-contamination during growing and processing and are not considered gluten-free.
In addition to the ingredients, consideration must also be given to cross-contamination during manufacturing and processing. To avoid any cross-contamination, gluten-free products need to be made in a gluten-free facility or on dedicated gluten-free equipment.
Are Bob’s Red Mill products gluten-free?
The majority of Bob’s Red Mill products are labeled gluten-free and are safe for those avoiding gluten. However, it is important to note that not all products produced by Bob’s Red Mill are certified gluten-free.
Bob’s Red Mill has strong protocols in place to avoid cross-contamination of their gluten-free products. The company produces certified gluten-free products on dedicated equipment in a separate gluten-free facility. All gluten-free products are tested to verify they contain less than 20ppm of gluten.
In a statement on their website, Bob’s Red Mill states:
“All of our gluten free products are produced in our dedicated gluten free facility in Milwaukie, Oregon. Every batch is tested to verify gluten levels of less than 20 ppm. You can trust that Bob’s Red Mill gluten free products contain less than 20 ppm of gluten.”
Based on their rigorous production methods and testing protocols, any Bob’s Red Mill product labeled “gluten-free” can be trusted to be safe for gluten-free diets when consumed according to package directions.
Bob’s Red Mill gluten-free flours and baking mixes
Bob’s Red Mill offers a wide assortment of gluten-free flours and baking mixes, including:
- Gluten free all-purpose baking flour
- Almond meal flour
- Coconut flour
- Garbanzo bean flour
- Gluten free whole grain bread mix
- Gluten free pizza crust mix
- Gluten free muffin mix
- Gluten free protein pancake mix
All Bob’s Red Mill gluten-free flours and baking mixes are produced in their dedicated facility and tested to contain less than 20ppm of gluten. They are clearly labeled “gluten-free” on packaging.
Bob’s Red Mill gluten-free oats
Bob’s Red Mill offers certified gluten-free oats, processed in a gluten-free facility. They are tested to confirm gluten levels below 20ppm. The gluten-free oats come in varieties like steel cut oats, old fashioned oats, and quick oats.
Bob’s Red Mill notes that their gluten-free oats are specially sourced from growers who follow procedures to avoid contamination with wheat, rye or barley.
Bob’s Red Mill Paleo Baking Flour
The Bob’s Red Mill Paleo Baking Flour is a popular blend of almond flour, coconut flour, and tapioca flour. However, it is not labeled gluten-free. Bob’s Red Mill has stated this product is produced on shared equipment so they cannot guarantee it is free from gluten cross-contamination.
For those strictly avoiding all traces of gluten, Bob’s Red Mill recommends avoiding the Paleo Baking Flour and instead making your own blend using their certified gluten-free almond flour, coconut flour, and tapioca flour products which are guaranteed to contain less than 20ppm gluten.
Bob’s Red Mill gluten-free labels
Bob’s Red Mill clearly labels all certified gluten-free products as “gluten free” on the packaging. They also include the following statement:
“Produced in our gluten-free facility. Tested at less than 20 ppm.”
You can identify their gluten-free products by looking for these labels.
Risk of cross-contamination from Bob’s Red Mill facility
While Bob’s Red Mill takes steps to avoid cross-contamination for their gluten-free labeled products, there is still a small risk of gluten exposure. The company produces both gluten-containing and gluten-free products in separate areas of their facility in Milwaukie, Oregon.
In a statement, Bob’s Red Mill acknowledges the possibility of cross-contamination:
“While we take every precaution to keep our gluten free products separated, we cannot guarantee that there is zero possibility of cross contamination as we make over 100 different products.”
The decision whether to eat Bob’s Red Mill gluten-free products depends on your sensitivity level:
- People with celiac disease or who are highly sensitive may wish to avoid Bob’s Red Mill due to shared facility.
- People with milder gluten sensitivity or intolerance may tolerate Bob’s Red Mill gluten-free products.
Those with celiac should also consider antibody blood tests to monitor if any autoimmune reaction occurs.
Other precautions when consuming Bob’s Red Mill gluten-free products
If you choose to eat Bob’s Red Mill gluten-free products, some additional precautions can further reduce risk:
- Check packaging thoroughly to ensure item is labeled gluten-free.
- Inspect packaging for any leaks, tears, or signs of contamination.
- Thoroughly wash hands, cooking tools, and preparation surfaces before and after use to avoid cross-contact.
- Look for new, unopened packages whenever possible.
Following basic kitchen hygiene and food safety practices can help minimize any risk of exposure.
Gluten-free status of specific Bob’s Red Mill products
To summarize, here is the gluten-free status of some popular Bob’s Red Mill products:
| Product | Gluten-free? |
|---|---|
| Gluten Free All Purpose Baking Flour | Yes |
| Almond Meal Flour | Yes |
| Coconut Flour | Yes |
| Gluten Free Whole Grain Bread Mix | Yes |
| Gluten Free Pizza Crust Mix | Yes |
| Gluten Free Oats | Yes |
| Paleo Baking Flour | No |
Conclusion
Overall, any product labeled “gluten-free” from Bob’s Red Mill that is produced in their dedicated gluten-free facility can be considered safe for gluten-free diets when consumed according to package directions. There is a small chance of cross-contamination that more sensitive individuals may wish to avoid.
Be sure to thoroughly check all packaging and labels to verify the gluten-free status of each product. When in doubt, reach out to Bob’s Red Mill customer service for additional questions on the gluten-free status of any product.
