Built Bars are a popular protein bar marketed as a healthy snack or meal replacement. With their combination of protein, fiber, and relatively low sugar and calories, Built Bars appeal to athletes, weight loss seekers, and health-conscious eaters. However, for those avoiding gluten for medical reasons or by choice, an important question arises: are Built Bars gluten-free? Let’s take a detailed look at the ingredients and manufacturing processes behind Built Bars to find out.
What is gluten?
Before determining whether Built Bars contain gluten, it’s important to understand what exactly gluten is. Gluten is a general name for the proteins found in wheat, rye, and barley. It acts as a “glue” that helps baked goods hold their shape and have an elastic texture. Gluten is found not only in breads, pastas, and baked goods, but can be used as an additive in processed foods as well.
People with celiac disease or non-celiac gluten sensitivity cannot tolerate gluten in their diet. For these individuals, consuming gluten triggers an autoimmune response that damages the small intestine. This can lead to symptoms like abdominal pain, bloating, diarrhea, vomiting, constipation, fatigue, headache, anxiety, and more. The only treatment is a strict lifelong gluten-free diet.
Others choose to avoid gluten for perceived health benefits or because they feel better without it, though gluten has not been scientifically proven problematic for those without celiac disease or NCGS. Regardless, nearly 3 million Americans avoid gluten for medical reasons, while roughly 20-30% more are estimated to avoid it by choice.
Are Built Bars gluten-free?
The answer is yes – Built Bars are gluten-free.
Built Bar clearly labels their products as “gluten free” on their website and packaging. The company states: “All Built bars are gluten-free. We produce the bars in a facility that does not process any products containing gluten.”
Further, a detailed look at the ingredients list shows no gluten-containing ingredients like wheat, barley, rye, or malt. Instead, Built Bars rely on proteins like whey protein isolate, pea protein isolate, and milk protein isolate.
Built Bar Ingredients
Here is a closer look at some typical Built Bar ingredients:
Whey protein isolate – Whey is a byproduct of milk during the cheesemaking process. Whey isolate goes through further filtration to remove lactose and fats, leaving highly concentrated protein. As dairy, whey is not inherently gluten-free, but the isolation process removes the lactose and any small amounts of gluten that may have been present.
Pea protein isolate – Pea protein comes from yellow split peas, a legume crop completely unrelated to gluten grains. It’s harvested from the plant and isolated to a high protein powder.
Milk protein isolate – Milk protein isolate starts with milk, which does not naturally contain gluten. As with whey isolate, the isolation process removes impurities and lactose, leaving pure milk protein.
Cocoa powder – Made by pressing cocoa solids to remove cocoa butter, this chocolate ingredient contains no gluten.
Chicory root fiber – Chicory root is a plant sometimes used as a coffee substitute. Its fiber is extracted and purified for use in supplements and foods. It does not contain gluten.
Vegetable glycerine – Made from plant oils, glycerine is used as a sweetener and humectant (moisture-locking agent). It is not derived from gluten grains.
Sea salt – Table salt’s source is either mined or from evaporated seawater – no gluten.
Natural flavors – While specific flavors are proprietary, natural flavors by law must derive from natural sources like fruits, plants, animals, etc. None would contain gluten.
In summary, a thorough evaluation of Built Bar ingredients confirms the lack of any gluten-containing ingredients.
Are Built Bars made in a gluten-free facility?
For those with celiac disease or severe gluten sensitivity, it’s not only important that a food product contain no gluten ingredients, but also that it’s made in a gluten-free facility. Even tiny amounts of cross-contamination from shared equipment could trigger a reaction.
Built Bar states that all their products are produced in a facility free from gluten. According to their website:
“Built bars are manufactured in a facility that does not process any products containing gluten. The gluten-free items made by Built Bars are produced with equipment and product handling procedures that prevent cross-contamination with items containing gluten.”
This rigorously gluten-free production environment provides added assurance of zero gluten.
Third-party testing for gluten
In addition to keeping their facilities gluten-free, Built Bars proactively tests their finished products to verify they contain less than 10 parts per million (ppm) of gluten.
This rigorous third-party testing ensures Built Bars not only look gluten-free from their ingredients, but have guaranteed verification they contain virtually no detectable gluten. Testing allows Built Bar to confidently label their products as gluten-free.
Built Bar certifications
Further validating the absence of gluten in Built Bars, the company has obtained respected independent gluten-free certifications:
- Gluten-Free Certification Organization (GFCO) – This program, overseen by GFCO, requires companies follow best practices to avoid cross-contamination in facilities and maintain products under 10 ppm of gluten.
- 1-UP Gluten Free – 1-UP is a program of the National Celiac Association. It audits manufacturing practices and reviews testing data to certify products as under 5 ppm of gluten.
Earning these recognitions required rigorous scrutiny from third-party auditors of every aspect of Built Bars’ supply chain, facilities, and final products. Certification provides consumers the confidence Built Bars live up to their gluten-free claims.
Are all Built Bar flavors gluten-free?
With assurance that Built Bars’ overall processes and facilities are gluten-free, the next question is whether all of their specific product flavors and varieties are gluten-free as well.
The answer is yes. According to Built Bars, every single flavor and variety they produce is gluten-free.
On their website’s FAQ page, Built Bar confirms: “Every single Built Bar that Built Brands produces is gluten-free. All of our products are produced in a gluten-free facility and all of our flavors are gluten-free.”
Built Bars avoids gluten even in ingredients where gluten might occasionally be present, like chocolate or caramel colors. The company states:
“Both our chocolate and caramel contain color that is gluten-free. Our chocolate contains cocoa powder rather than a gluten containing malt or wheat-based ingredient. Our caramel contains carrot concentrate rather than gluten-containing colors.”
So regardless of which tempting Built Bar flavor you choose – including favorites like Salted Caramel, Coconut Almond Chew, Banana Nut Bread, and more – you can trust it’s gluten-free.
Are other Built Brands products gluten-free?
In addition to Built Bars, Built Brands makes other health-focused snack products like Built Boost energy drinks, Built Bites mini protein bites, and Puffs baked cheese snacks.
Like Bars, Built Brands states that all their other products are gluten-free as well. On their FAQ:
“All products produced by Built Brands are gluten-free. We abstain from gluten throughout our entire supply chain spanning raw material procurement through the manufacturing in our SQF Level 3 certified facility.”
So those who enjoy Built Bars can continue to buy Built Brands’ line of snacks with confidence they’re gluten-free.
What if you have celiac disease or gluten sensitivity?
For those with celiac disease, non-celiac gluten sensitivity, or who are highly sensitive to trace gluten, Built Bars present an excellent gluten-free option. However, it’s always smart to exercise caution when incorporating new foods into your gluten-free diet, especially a product category known to sometimes contain gluten, like protein bars.
Here are some tips if you have celiac or NCGS and want to try Built Bars:
- Read the ingredient list first. Look for any suspicious or unambiguous ingredients like wheat, barley, rye or malt.
- Check the nutrition facts label for any traces of wheat, barley, rye – these would be flagged if detectible.
- Start with a small serving to test individual tolerance.
- Be attentive to any adverse reactions, and discontinue use if any occur.
Of course, those with severe gluten intolerance should first consult their physician before trying Built Bars or any new product.
But for most living gluten-free, Built Bars present a tasty, nutritious, and gluten-safe snack. Just be sure to enjoy them in moderation as part of an overall healthy and balanced diet.
Conclusions
So are Built Bars gluten-free? After a thorough evaluation, the verdict is:
Yes, Built Bars are gluten-free. Key takeaways include:
- Built Bars contain no gluten-based ingredients.
- They’re manufactured in dedicated gluten-free facilities.
- Every product is third-party tested to verify gluten below 10ppm.
- Built Bars have attained respected gluten-free certifications.
- All Built Bar flavors and varieties are gluten-free.
- Other Built Brands snack products are also gluten-free.
Those avoiding gluten for medical reasons or personal preference can enjoy Built Bars with confidence they contain no gluten. Just be sure to check labels and practice common sense precautions.
Overall, Built Bars can be considered a suitable gluten-free protein bar choice. Between their lack of gluten ingredients, gluten-free production practices, transparent third-party testing, and independent certifications, Built Brands has taken thorough steps to eliminate gluten from their products.
So if you’re hoping to satisfy a protein bar craving while maintaining your gluten-free diet, Built Bars make for a tasty, nutritious choice you can feel good about.
