Coors orange cream seltzer is a new product recently introduced by the Coors Brewing Company. As a flavored malt beverage, some people who follow gluten-free diets may be wondering if Coors orange cream seltzer is gluten-free. In this article, we’ll take a close look at the ingredients and production process for Coors orange cream seltzer to determine if it contains gluten.
What is Coors orange cream seltzer?
Coors orange cream seltzer is a flavored malt beverage made by the Coors Brewing Company. It has a sparkling soda-like taste and contains orange cream flavoring. The seltzer is 4.2% alcohol by volume.
Coors released orange cream seltzer in early 2023 as a new addition to their seltzer product line. It joins other Coors seltzer flavors like black cherry, mango, grapefruit, and pineapple.
The orange cream seltzer is marketed as a light and refreshing drink. It comes in 12-ounce slim cans that are easy to transport and drink. The packaging has bright orange and white colors to represent the orange cream taste.
What ingredients are in Coors orange cream seltzer?
The official ingredient list for Coors orange cream seltzer is:
- Carbonated water
- Malted barley
- Orange cream natural flavors
- Citric acid
- Sodium citrate
- Potassium sorbate
- Sucralose
The key ingredients related to gluten content are malted barley and the orange cream natural flavors.
Malted barley
Malted barley is one of the main sources of gluten in beer. During the malting process, barley grains are steeped, germinated, and dried. This activates enzymes that convert starches into fermentable sugars. The malted barley imparts color, protein, sweetness, and gluten to beer.
For traditional beers, malted barley usually makes up the majority of the ingredients. However, for Coors orange cream seltzer, malted barley may only be present in small amounts. The ingredients are listed in order of quantity, so malted barley is likely a minor component.
Orange cream natural flavors
The orange cream natural flavors provide the signature taste of Coors orange cream seltzer. Natural flavors can come from a variety of gluten-free and gluten-containing sources.
Some potential gluten-free sources for orange cream natural flavors include:
- Orange extract
- Cream extract
- Vanilla extract
- Lactones
But the natural flavors could also derive from gluten sources like:
- Barley malt extract
- Wheat extract
- Oat extract
Without detailed information from Coors on the exact natural flavors used, it’s impossible to know for sure if they are gluten-free.
Does Coors use gluten-containing ingredients in their seltzers?
Coors has not disclosed the full details of their process for making seltzers. But here is what we know about the potential for gluten ingredients:
Fermented from a malt beer base
Most Coors seltzers are fermented from a malt beer base before flavorings are added. This process starts with a traditional beer made from malted barley and other gluten-containing grains.
During fermentation, the gluten protein chains are broken down by yeast enzymes. But not all gluten proteins may be fully degraded.
Studies show that most beers tested below 20 ppm of gluten after fermentation. But levels above 20 ppm would make the starting beer base unsuitable for people following a gluten-free diet.
Diluted with water and carbonation
After fermentation, the malt beer base for Coors seltzers is diluted with water, carbonated, and flavored. Diluting gluten-containing beer with water and adding carbonation could potentially reduce gluten levels.
However, testing would need to be done to confirm the finished seltzer product contains less than 20 ppm of gluten. There’s no way to know for sure if high enough dilution was achieved.
Use of gluten-free grains
Instead of a malt beer base, there is also the possibility Coors uses a gluten-free grain base for their seltzers. Brands like Glutenberg use ingredients like millet, corn, and rice to make gluten-free beer for seltzers.
At this time, Coors has not stated that it uses any gluten-free grains to make their seltzers. The presence of malted barley on the orange cream seltzer ingredients list suggests at least some gluten grains are used.
What type of labeling does Coors use for gluten content?
Coors does not make any gluten-free claims on the packaging of their orange cream seltzer product. There are also no mentions of “gluten-free,” “without gluten,” or “no gluten ingredients” on the can.
Many mainstream beers and seltzers omit gluten information because they contain gluten and cannot be labeled as gluten-free. Without proper testing and verification, most beers contain enough gluten to trigger reactions in people with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity.
For people following a gluten-free diet strictly, the lack of certified gluten-free labeling on Coors orange cream seltzer would be a red flag.
No gluten removed statements
In addition to the lack of gluten-free labeling, Coors orange cream seltzer also does not make any “gluten-removed” claims. Statements like “crafted to remove gluten” require products to contain less than 20 ppm of gluten.
Again, the absence of these statements implies Coors orange cream seltzer likely contains more than 20 ppm of gluten and would not be suitable for a gluten-free diet.
Has Coors orange cream seltzer been tested for gluten content?
Coors has not published any official laboratory test results for the gluten content of their orange cream seltzer product.
Without completed third-party testing, there is no way to verify the exact ppm of gluten remaining in the final orange cream seltzer product.
No certification from GFCO or other organizations
The Gluten-Free Certification Organization (GFCO) is one of the main third-party organizations that certifies food and beverage products as gluten-free. To receive GFCO certification, extensive testing must validate gluten levels below 10 ppm.
Coors orange cream seltzer does not contain the GFCO gluten-free logo or any other recognized certification marks. This lack of third-party certification means the product likely contains gluten.
No measures in place to prevent cross-contamination
Even tiny amounts of gluten from cross-contamination during production can make products unsafe for gluten-free diets. To rule out cross-contamination, companies need strict procedures for:
- Sourcing ingredients
- Production scheduling
- Sanitation
- Product changeovers
- Employee training
Coors has not indicated that any special measures are in place to prevent gluten cross-contact during orange cream seltzer production. This is another sign that gluten contamination could occur.
What do customer reviews say about gluten content?
Checking customer comments and reviews can provide clues about potential gluten issues related to food and beverage products:
No reviews from people with celiac disease
Looking at reviews for Coors orange cream seltzer on sites like RateBeer and BeerAdvocate, there are currently no comments from consumers with celiac disease or who follow a strict gluten-free diet.
The lack of reviews mentioning gluten suggests most people who are sensitive to gluten do not consider Coors orange cream seltzer to be gluten-free based on the label and lack of advertised testing.
No warnings about gluten reactions
Additionally, there are no reviews that warn about experiencing gluten symptoms or adverse reactions after drinking Coors orange cream seltzer.
Again, this implies most individuals who react negatively to gluten already assume Coors orange cream seltzer is not gluten-free and avoid drinking it.
Does Coors claim their seltzers are gluten-free?
Coors makes no claims about their seltzer products being gluten-free across their website, social media channels, and marketing materials. There are no mentions of “gluten-free” in relation to their seltzer brands.
Instead, Coors emphasizes that their seltzers are fermented from a malt beer base. This process likely starts with gluten-containing grains.
The company also highlights their use of ingredients like malted barley on seltzer ingredient lists. Again, this strongly suggests gluten is present.
In summary, Coors does not promote or market their seltzers as gluten-free. All indications point to their seltzer products containing gluten.
Is Coors orange cream seltzer safe for gluten intolerance and celiac disease?
Based on the available information, Coors orange cream seltzer is likely unsafe for people with celiac disease or gluten intolerance.
There are several warning signs that indicate the product contains gluten:
- Made from a fermented malt beer base
- Contains malted barley as an ingredient
- No gluten-free labeling
- Not certified gluten-free
- No measures to prevent cross-contamination
Without third-party testing verifying gluten levels, there is no way to confirm if Coors orange cream seltzer is below 20 ppm. Consuming it could cause adverse reactions for those sensitive to gluten.
Not suitable for celiac disease
For people with celiac disease, consuming any amount of gluten can trigger an autoimmune reaction resulting in intestinal damage. Based on the uncertainty around its gluten content, Coors orange cream seltzer would not be considered safe for people with celiac disease.
Not suitable for non-celiac gluten sensitivity
Even individuals with non-celiac gluten sensitivity require diligent avoidance of gluten. After stopping gluten consumption, it can take weeks to months for antibody levels to decrease and intestinal villi to regrow.
Drinking products with uncertain gluten content like Coors orange cream seltzer could prolong symptoms and make it difficult to establish a gluten-free diet.
Are other Coors seltzers safe for a gluten-free diet?
The safety considerations for Coors orange cream seltzer also apply to other Coors seltzer flavors like black cherry, grapefruit, mango, and pineapple.
None of these seltzers are labeled as gluten-free or advertised as such by Coors. All flavors likely contain gluten based on the malt-beer fermentation process.
To follow a gluten-free diet strictly, it would be best to avoid all flavors of Coors seltzers until thorough third-party gluten testing is conducted.
What about gluten-removed seltzers from Coors?
At this time, Coors does not offer any “gluten-removed” seltzer products. All their current seltzer brands appear to be produced using traditional gluten-containing ingredients and processes.
However, Coors could potentially release a gluten-removed seltzer line in the future. These products would need to be tested to verify gluten levels below 20 ppm.
No clear gluten-free options from Coors
Overall, Coors does not promote any of their current seltzer or beer products as gluten-free. Individuals following a gluten-free diet should be cautious and check labels carefully when considering Coors beverages.
What alcoholic seltzers are gluten-free?
While Coors seltzers likely contain gluten, here are some recommended gluten-free alcoholic seltzer brands to try instead:
Glutenberg
Glutenberg crafts gluten-free beer and seltzers using sorghum, corn, and buckwheat. Their seltzer flavors include cherry, lime, and grapefruit. Glutenberg products are certified gluten-free to below 10 ppm.
Ghostfish Brewing
Ghostfish makes gluten-removed and gluten-reduced beers and seltzers, with certification that finished products test below 10 ppm of gluten. Their seltzer flavors include mango, black cherry, and lemon lime.
Wild Basin Boozy Sparkling Water
Wild Basin seltzers are produced by Oskar Blues Brewery but are crafted to be gluten-free. They are certified by the GFCO to contain less than 10 ppm of gluten. Flavors include classic lime, berry, lemon agave hibiscus, and more.
Smirnoff Seltzer
Smirnoff Seltzer Adults Plain variety packs are labeled gluten-free and tested to ensure each batch contains less than 10 ppm of gluten. The packs include flavors like cranberry lime, strawberry, and blackberry.
These seltzer brands offer a wide range of flavors to enjoy while following a strict gluten-free diet and avoiding potential gluten cross-contact risks.
The bottom line
Based on the available information on ingredients and production methods, Coors orange cream seltzer likely contains gluten. There are no labeling statements or testing results to demonstrate the product is gluten-free or safe for gluten intolerance.
To be cautious, individuals with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity should avoid drinking Coors orange cream seltzer or other Coors seltzer flavors. There are several good gluten-free alcoholic seltzer alternatives to consider instead.
Conclusion
Coors orange cream seltzer does not appear to be gluten-free based on the limited ingredient and manufacturing details available. The likely presence of malted barley and lack of third-party gluten testing means this flavored malt beverage cannot be recommended for people following gluten-free diets, especially those with celiac disease.
Individuals with celiac disease or gluten intolerance should choose verified gluten-free alcoholic seltzers like those from Glutenberg, Ghostfish Brewing, Wild Basin Boozy Sparkling Water, and Smirnoff. These brands offer a wide range of delicious flavors to enjoy without the risks of gluten exposure.
Until Coors provides additional transparency on ingredients and testing, their orange cream seltzer and other seltzer varieties should be assumed to contain gluten. For consumers strictly avoiding gluten, it is always safest to verify gluten-free status through product labeling and third-party certification.
