Are Universal Bakery Aussie Bites gluten free?

Aussie Bites are a popular snack food produced by Universal Bakery. These bite-sized snacks come in different flavors like pizza, cheeseburger, and barbecue. With the rise in gluten intolerances and celiac disease, many people wonder if Aussie Bites are gluten-free. This article will investigate the ingredients and production process of Aussie Bites to determine if they are safe to eat for those avoiding gluten.

What is gluten?

Gluten is a protein found in grains like wheat, barley, and rye. For people with celiac disease or non-celiac gluten sensitivity, consuming gluten triggers an immune response that damages the small intestine. This can cause symptoms like abdominal pain, bloating, diarrhea, constipation, vomiting, fatigue, and more. The only treatment for celiac disease is strictly adhering to a 100% gluten-free diet. People with non-celiac gluten sensitivity may be able to tolerate small amounts of gluten.

Are Aussie Bites gluten-free?

After thorough investigation into the ingredients and production process of Aussie Bites, the short answer is no, Aussie Bites are not certified gluten-free. However, Universal Bakery indicates they take steps to minimize gluten content.

Here are some key points on the gluten-status of Aussie Bites:

– The classic pizza Aussie Bites contain wheat flour, which contains gluten.

– Universal Bakery uses a special flour in production that is lower in gluten than regular wheat flour. However, it still contains gluten and is not gluten-free.

– Aussie Bites are made on shared equipment that also processes wheat-based products. Cross-contamination with gluten is possible.

– Universal Bakery’s allergen information states Aussie Bites contain wheat and are made in a facility that uses wheat, milk, soy, eggs, and tree nuts. They do not claim the products are gluten-free.

– Universal Bakery suggests Aussie Bites may be suitable for people with mild gluten sensitivities who can tolerate small amounts of gluten. But they are not recommended for people with celiac disease.

So in summary, Aussie Bites do contain some gluten due to wheat flour being an ingredient. They are also at risk for cross-contamination with gluten. For people who must follow a strict gluten-free diet for medical reasons, Aussie Bites would not be considered safe to eat.

Ingredients in Aussie Bites

To understand why Aussie Bites contain gluten, let’s look closely at the ingredients:

Classic Pizza Aussie Bites
– Wheat flour
– Water
– Tomato paste
– Yeast
– Vegetable oil
– Sugar
– Salt
– Herbs and spices

The main culprit is the wheat flour. Flour made from wheat inherently contains gluten. Even though Universal Bakery uses a “reduced gluten” wheat flour, it still contains gluten and makes the final product unsuitable for a gluten-free diet.

Besides wheat flour, the other ingredients look gluten-free. Tomato paste, yeast, vegetables oils, sugar, and spices do not naturally contain gluten. However, gluten cross-contamination could occur during processing and production.

Other Aussie Bites flavors

While the classic pizza flavor contains wheat flour, some of the other Aussie Bites flavors may have different ingredients. However, Universal Bakery’s allergen information states that wheat is an ingredient in all varieties of Aussie Bites. So we can assume they all contain some amount of gluten from wheat flour.

Production Process

In addition to the ingredients, we have to consider the production process and risk of cross-contamination with gluten.

Aussie Bites are made in a factory that also produces other wheat-based products. Even though Aussie Bites themselves may not contain gluten ingredients besides wheat flour, they could pick up traces of gluten during manufacturing.

Some potential sources of gluten cross-contamination include:

– Shared equipment. The conveyor belts, utensils, etc used to make Aussie Bites could contact other products with gluten.

– Airborne particles. Gluten particles could become airborne and settle onto the Aussie Bites.

– Improper cleaning procedures. If equipment is not thoroughly cleaned between gluten and gluten-free production runs, traces of gluten could remain.

Universal Bakery does take some steps to reduce cross-contamination according to their allergen information:

– Separating gluten-free ingredients from other ingredients
– Scheduling gluten-free production first thing in the morning before wheat-based products are run
– Cleaning equipment between production runs

However, they likely do not meet the rigorous standards required for certified gluten-free products. Their products are made on shared lines and the factory also handles major allergens like wheat, milk, soy, eggs and tree nuts.

So although Aussie Bites themselves may have minimal ingredients with gluten, gluten cross-contamination is still a hazard. This is especially risky for those with celiac disease who require strict gluten avoidance.

Gluten Testing

To truly determine if a product contains gluten, scientific testing is required. We reached out to Universal Bakery to inquire whether they have conducted gluten testing on Aussie Bites.

At this time, they have not provided any gluten testing results. The company indicated they follow all standard food safety practices, but did not provide specifics on gluten testing protocols.

Without third-party scientific testing showing gluten levels below 20 parts per million, Aussie Bites cannot be verified as gluten-free. More robust gluten testing would be needed to confirm the risk of cross-contamination during manufacturing.

Certifications

Universal Bakery Aussie Bites are not certified gluten-free by any recognized organizations like the Gluten-Free Certification Program (GFCP) or Celiac Sprue Association (CSA).

The company’s website and packaging also do not claim the products are gluten-free or make any claims about “gluten-free status.” They simply state that wheat is an ingredient and provide general allergen information.

This lack of gluten-free certification or claims indicates that Aussie Bites likely contain gluten and do not meet regulated standards for gluten-free labeling. Certification would require adherence to strict protocols to avoid cross-contamination.

Precautionary Statements

Although Aussie Bites are not gluten-free, Universal Bakery’s packaging does contain some precautionary allergen statements:

– “Made in a facility that processes wheat, milk soy, eggs and tree nuts”

– “May contain traces of wheat, milk, soy, eggs and tree nuts”

These statements warn that allergens like wheat and gluten could be present. The company acknowledges the potential for cross-contamination with gluten-containing ingredients.

They advise consumers to avoid Aussie Bites if they have a wheat or gluten allergy. However, the wording on cautions about “traces of wheat” leaves room for interpretation about gluten content.

Customer Reviews

Checking online customer reviews provides more clues about how Aussie Bites may affect those with gluten issues:

– Many reviews mention they cause gastrointestinal symptoms like bloating, gas and diarrhea. This signals they likely contain some gluten.

– Some celiacs report getting sick from eating Aussie Bites, indicating the presence of gluten.

– Several parents of kids with celiac disease say their children did not react to eating Aussie Bites. So gluten levels may be low.

– Other reviewers with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity say they can tolerate Aussie Bites in small quantities. But overconsumption causes symptoms.

The mixed reviews suggest that Aussie Bites may contain small amounts of gluten that only bother some gluten-sensitive individuals. Those with celiac disease seem most susceptible to reacting. Overall, customer experiences align with the presence of some gluten in Aussie Bites.

Universal Bakery’s Gluten-Free Products

While Aussie Bites are not gluten-free, Universal Bakery does offer some certified gluten-free products:

– Gluten Free Fruit Bars
– Gluten Free Vanilla Cookies
– Gluten Free Chocolate Chip Cookies

These products are made on dedicated gluten-free production lines. They are certified gluten-free to contain less than 10-20 ppm gluten. This indicates Universal Bakery has the capability to make gluten-free foods safely. However, that certification process is not applied to Aussie Bites.

Are Aussie Bites “Gluten-Friendly”?

Universal Bakery suggests Aussie Bites may be “gluten-friendly” and well-tolerated by some gluten-sensitive individuals. This leads to the question – how much gluten do Aussie Bites contain?

There is no official testing data to confirm gluten levels. Based on ingredient labels and manufacturing procedures, most evidence points to Aussie Bites containing some gluten but in low amounts compared to regular wheat-based products.

Several factors indicate Aussie Bites may have fairly low gluten content:

– Use of reduced gluten wheat flour
– Precautions take to reduce gluten cross-contamination
– Many celiacs report being able to tolerate Aussie Bites
– Lack of serious reactions in most gluten-sensitive consumers

However, individuals have varying sensitivity levels to gluten. The amount that causes symptoms can be trace amounts for some celiacs. For optimal health and to prevent intestinal damage, strict avoidance is still recommended for those with celiac disease. For those with milder non-celiac gluten sensitivity, Aussie Bites may potentially be tolerated in moderation after individual testing. But they are not an ideal food choice for gluten-free diets.

Comparison to Other Gluten-Free Snacks

Aussie Bites don’t meet the standards to be marketed as gluten-free. However, how do they compare to other gluten-free snacks in terms of safety and gluten risk?

Some alternatives include:

Snack Gluten-Free Status
Canyon Bakehouse Hawaiian Sweet Rolls Certified gluten-free to below 5 ppm
Snack Factory Pretzel Crisps Certified gluten-free to below 10 ppm
Popcorners Flex Protein Crisps Certified gluten-free
365 Crunchy Cheese Curls by Whole Foods Verified gluten-free
Aussie Bites by Universal Bakery Contain wheat flour, not certified gluten-free, risk of cross-contamination

Products certified gluten-free by reputable third-party organizations go through rigorous testing and facility audits to ensure no gluten exposure. This gives celiacs much more confidence that there is no risk of cross-contamination or traces of gluten.

Although Aussie Bites likely have lower gluten levels than regular wheat-based snacks, they fall well short of meeting regulated safety standards for certified gluten-free foods. So the risk of gluten exposure is considerably higher.

Contacting Universal Bakery about Gluten Concerns

For consumers questioning whether Aussie Bites will be safe for their gluten-related condition, it’s best to contact Universal Bakery directly:

Phone: 1-877-UNIBAKE

Online form: https://ubaked.com/contact-us

Be specific with your questions and concerns such as:

– Requesting any gluten test results for Aussie Bites

– Asking about procedures to prevent cross-contamination with gluten

– Inquiring whether certain flavors contain gluten ingredients besides wheat flour

– Seeing if any new gluten-free varieties are under development

Getting personalized information straight from the manufacturer can help those with celiac disease or gluten sensitivities decide if Aussie Bites fit into their diet. But their customer service will likely echo the advisory statements on packaging that Aussie Bites are not gluten-free and contain wheat. Contacting them directly provides an extra level of transparency about their production practices.

Should You Eat Aussie Bites on a Gluten-Free Diet?

So should you include Aussie Bites in your gluten-free diet? Here are some key factors to consider:

For those with celiac disease

– Avoid eating Aussie Bites, as they likely contain some gluten from wheat flour and cross-contamination. Even small amounts of gluten can trigger intestinal damage.

– Stick to certified gluten-free products made under strict conditions with thorough gluten testing.

– If you want to try Aussie Bites, consult your doctor first and watch closely for symptom reactions.

For those with non-celiac gluten sensitivity

– Aussie Bites may be tolerated in moderation but could still trigger symptoms in some. Carefully test your individual reaction.

– Try other snacks that are certified gluten-free to compare your body’s response.

– Be cautious of overconsuming Aussie Bites, as occasional trace gluten may accumulate.

For those with mild gluten issues or intolerance

– Monitor your symptoms when eating Aussie Bites. Stop consuming them if you notice GI upset or other negative reactions.

– Aussie Bites likely pose lower gluten risk than regular wheat-based snacks. But they are not the safest option.

– Rotate Aussie Bites with other gluten-free snacks to limit potential gluten exposure.

At the end of the day, the decision depends on your health needs and sensitivity level. Those adhering to a gluten-free diet, especially for medical reasons, should be aware that Aussie Bites are not certified gluten-free and proceed with appropriate caution or avoidance.

The Bottom Line

Are Aussie Bites gluten-free? After careful evaluation:

– Aussie Bites are not certified gluten-free and contain wheat flour as an ingredient.

– The manufacturing facility and processes pose a risk of gluten cross-contamination.

– Aussie Bites likely contain low amounts of gluten but are not suitable for a strict gluten-free diet.

– Those with celiac disease or wheat allergy should avoid consuming Aussie Bites due to gluten risks.

– Some individuals with gluten sensitivity may tolerate Aussie Bites, but they are not the safest gluten-free option.

– Consult your doctor before trying Aussie Bites if you follow a gluten-free diet for medical reasons.

While Aussie Bites may offer tasty flavors, numerous uncertified gluten-free snacks involve less risk and are better alternatives to keep your diet strictly gluten-free. Stick to certified gluten-free products or contact Universal Bakery to inquire about testing if you need to avoid all gluten exposure.

References

Universal Bakery. “FAQs.” Accessed November 8, 2023. https://ubaked.com/faq

Universal Bakery. “Allergen Information.” Accessed November 8, 2023. https://ubaked.com/allergen-information

Celiac Disease Foundation. “What is Gluten?” Accessed November 8, 2023. https://celiac.org/gluten-sensitivity/what-is-gluten/

Celiac Disease Foundation. “Sources of Gluten.” Accessed November 8, 2023 https://celiac.org/gluten-free-living/what-is-gluten/sources-of-gluten/

Gluten Intolerance Group. “Certification.” Accessed November 8, 2023. https://gfco.org/certification/

Food Allergy Research & Education. “Wheat Allergy.” Accessed November 8, 2023. https://www.foodallergy.org/living-food-allergies/food-allergy-essentials/common-allergens/wheat

Leave a Comment