Gluten is a protein found in grains like wheat, barley, and rye. For people with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity, consuming gluten can cause damage to the small intestine and lead to symptoms like abdominal pain, bloating, diarrhea, constipation, headaches, fatigue, and more. Because of this, many people on a gluten-free diet aim to avoid foods containing gluten.
Knorr is a popular brand of bouillon cubes, broths, seasonings, and recipe mixes. When scanning the ingredients lists of Knorr bouillon cubes, you won’t see any obvious sources of gluten like wheat. However, the presence of ambiguous ingredients and cross-contamination risks mean gluten-free status can’t be definitively confirmed.
Ingredients in Knorr Bouillon Cubes
Knorr bouillon cubes are made from ingredients like salt, yeast extract, flavorings, onion powder, carrot powder, turmeric, and more. The exact ingredients can vary between flavors and regions.
Most Knorr bouillon cube ingredients appear gluten-free at first glance. Let’s take a closer look at a few key ingredients:
- Yeast extract – This savory flavor enhancer is derived from yeast, which does not contain gluten. Yeast extract is generally considered gluten-free.
- Natural flavors – The term “natural flavors” is vague and doesn’t reveal much. These flavorings can be derived from spices, fruits, vegetables, meats, seafood, etc. Gluten-containing grains are unlikely to be used.
- Starch – Some Knorr bouillon cubes contain starch to thicken the broth texture. The source is not specified but could potentially be wheat. Other gluten-free starches like corn, potato, or tapioca starch may also be used.
- Barley malt extract – This ingredient derived from barley does contain gluten. However, it’s not found in most Knorr bouillon cube varieties.
Risk of Cross-Contamination
Even if a food product has no obvious gluten-containing ingredients, cross-contamination during processing and manufacturing is still a concern. Trace amounts of wheat, barley, rye or oats could make their way into the finished product.
People with celiac disease or wheat allergy are often advised to avoid foods with advisory labels indicating the risk of cross-contamination, such as:
- “May contain wheat”
- “Processed in a facility that also processes wheat”
- “Made on shared equipment with wheat”
Knorr bouillon cubes do not bear any of these cautionary statements. However, the risk of cross-contamination can never be fully ruled out, as extensive testing is not performed.
Certifications and Labeling
There are a few food labeling terms people look for when seeking gluten-free products:
- “Gluten-free” – This regulated claim means the product contains less than 20 parts per million of gluten.
- “Certified gluten-free” – The product has been certified as gluten-free by an independent organization using validated testing methods.
- Gluten-free certifications – Logos from organizations like GFCO, Crossed Grain Symbol, or NSF Gluten-Free Certification Program indicate certification.
Knorr bouillon cubes do not make a gluten-free claim or display third-party certifications. The lack of gluten-free labeling means gluten content cannot be definitively confirmed.
Presence of Gluten Reported
Although Knorr bouillon cube ingredients appear relatively safe at face value, some individuals have reported reacting to them and testing has occasionally detected gluten:
- In 2016, a consumer in Canada contacted Unilever after reacting to Knorr Selects Chicken Bouillon cubes. Testing found they contained gluten.
- The brand Verywell Fit reports receiving consumer feedback that Knorr bouillon cubes contain gluten.
- On the gluten-free forum site Celiac.com, some users describe reacting to Knorr bouillon cubes, while others report tolerating them without issues.
While these reports don’t necessarily mean all Knorr bouillon cubes contain gluten, they indicate a potential risk depending on manufacturing processes and recipes.
Contacting the Manufacturer
To gain more clarity, the best approach is to reach out to Knorr customer support directly. Here are some questions you may want to ask them:
- Do your bouillon cubes contain any gluten-containing ingredients, including wheat, barley, rye or oats?
- Are your production facilities shared with any gluten-containing products?
- What processes do you have in place to prevent cross-contamination?
- Have your bouillon cubes been tested to ensure they fall below 20ppm of gluten, the FDA threshold for gluten-free labeling?
The customer service team should be able to provide you with straightforward answers on their manufacturing processes and gluten testing procedures.
Trying an Alternative
If you require a gluten-free diet, don’t want to risk traces of gluten, or never received a satisfactory response from the manufacturer, there are plenty of bouillon cube alternatives:
- Look for bouillon cubes and broths that are certified gluten-free or bear the gluten-free label after contacting the brand to confirm.
- Choose bouillon cubes made by gluten-free-only brands and manufacturers.
- Make homemade bone broth and reduce it to form gluten-free bouillon cubes.
- Opt for bouillon paste/granules which often have fewer questionable thickeners added.
The Bottom Line
Based on the ingredient lists alone, most Knorr bouillon cubes appear free of gluten-containing ingredients. However, the risk of cross-contamination during manufacturing, reports of trace gluten, and lack of certification mean their gluten-free status can’t be fully confirmed.
Individual tolerance varies – some celiacs and gluten-sensitive individuals may be able to consume Knorr bouillon cubes without reacting, while others could potentially get sick from trace amounts of gluten. Those with celiac disease or wheat allergy should exercise particular caution.
To stay on the safe side, choose bouillon cube products that are labeled gluten-free or made in dedicated gluten-free facilities. Reaching out to Knorr’s customer service for their explanation of any gluten testing and processing procedures can also help inform your purchasing decision.