White Claw hard seltzers have become incredibly popular over the past few years, especially among health-conscious drinkers looking for a low-calorie, low-carb alcoholic beverage. One of the main draws of White Claw is that the company markets it as a gluten-free alcoholic beverage. But is this claim really accurate? Let’s take a deeper look at whether White Claws are truly gluten-free.
What is Gluten?
Before examining if White Claw is gluten-free, it helps to understand what gluten actually is. Gluten is a general name for the proteins found in wheat, rye, and barley. It helps give elasticity to dough, allowing bread to rise and keep its shape. Gluten is found not only in foods containing wheat, rye, and barley as main ingredients. It is also often used as additive in the form of thickening agents like wheat starch.
For most people, gluten does not cause any issues. But for those with celiac disease or non-celiac gluten sensitivity, gluten can cause serious health problems. When people suffering from these conditions consume gluten, it triggers an immune response in their body. This immune reaction damages the lining of the small intestine, preventing proper absorption of nutrients from food. This can lead to symptoms like bloating, abdominal pain, diarrhea, constipation, vomiting, fatigue, headache, and skin rashes. Avoiding gluten is the only treatment for celiac disease and NCGS.
Are White Claws Made from Gluten-Containing Grains?
To determine if White Claw hard seltzers are truly gluten-free, we need to look at how they are made. White Claw is made by fermenting sugar into alcohol, then carbonating the alcohol with seltzer water and natural fruit flavors. The key aspect here is that White Claw starts with sugar, not a gluten-containing grain like barley or wheat.
Here are the main ingredients in White Claw according to the company:
- Purified carbonated water
- Alcohol
- Natural flavors
- Cane sugar
- Fruit juice concentrates
- Gluten-free
As you can see, the ingredients list does not contain any wheat, barley, rye, malt, or other gluten-containing grains. White Claw is made purely from sugar cane, fruit flavors, and water. So it would seem on the surface that White Claw does not contain gluten or risk cross-contamination with gluten the way beer does.
Risk of Cross-Contamination During Manufacturing
However, we have to look at more than just the core ingredients that go into White Claw. Even if a product doesn’t directly contain gluten-based ingredients, it can still pick up traces of gluten during the manufacturing process if it comes into contact with gluten.
For example, if White Claw is produced in a facility that also makes beer or uses the same equipment to make seltzer that was previously used to make beer, there is a risk of gluten cross-contamination. Very small amounts of gluten (sometimes as little as 20ppm) can trigger a reaction in those with celiac disease or NCGS.
To avoid this risk, reputable gluten-free brands manufacture their products in dedicated gluten-free facilities and have strict protocols to avoid cross-contamination. So the key question is – does White Claw take these special precautions?
White Claw’s Statements on Gluten-Free Manufacturing
On the White Claw website, the company makes the following statement about their manufacturing process:
“White Claw® Hard Seltzer is crafted with gluten-free alcohol that has been purified to remove gluten. We have strict quality control measures in place from sourcing to bottling to ensure that our beverages are crafted without gluten.”
Additionally, White Claw states their products are:
- Brewed in a dedicated gluten-free facility
- Purified via reverse osmosis and charcoal filtration to remove gluten
- Tested by an independent, third-party lab to confirm they test below 5ppm gluten
These statements indicate that White Claw takes extra steps to eliminate the risk of gluten cross-contamination. Their alcohol base is distilled to remove any potential traces of gluten from the original sugar cane. And their facility and equipment are managed carefully to avoid any exposure to sources of gluten.
Testing Methodology
To back up their gluten-free claims, White Claw states that each batch of product is tested by an independent third-party lab to confirm it contains under 5ppm of gluten. This very low level provides assurance even for those extremely sensitive.
However, White Claw does not provide details on the exact lab testing methodology used to analyze gluten content. The quality of the lab analysis largely depends on the type of testing method used. Some methods are much more accurate than others at detecting trace amounts of gluten contamination.
The most sensitive lab methodology for testing gluten content is the ELISA R5 antibody-based test. This method can accurately detect as little as 3-5 ppm of gluten. However, it is more expensive than some other testing methods.
Less sensitive methods like lateral flow immunoassays are only able to detect levels of gluten larger than 20 ppm. So if White Claw used lateral flow testing instead of ELISA testing, it could mean small amounts of gluten could slip by undetected.
Without knowing the specific testing methodology, we can’t fully validate the rigor of White Claw’s gluten testing process. More transparency from the company on their testing methods would help assure gluten-sensitive consumers.
Risk of Gluten Introduction After Testing
Another potential consideration is that White Claw’s products could be contaminated with gluten sometime after the initial lab testing. Even if batches are tested and come back as gluten-free from the production facility, mishandling during bottling, packaging, transport or storage could introduce gluten before the product reaches the consumer.
For example, fill lines that are improperly cleaned between products could allow residue from gluten-containing beverages to get into the White Claw cans or bottles. Using shared equipment or bottling in a shared facility with other non-gluten-free beverages introduces risk as well. Without testing finished products right before they are shipped out, White Claw can’t guarantee they remain gluten-free.
No FDA Regulations Surrounding Gluten-Free Labeling
An additional note regarding White Claw’s “gluten-free” labeling. While it is helpful for consumers, it is important to understand that there are currently no federal regulations around use of “gluten-free” labeling on alcoholic beverages. The FDA sets strict guidelines for when a food product can be labeled as gluten-free. However, these rules do not apply to companies making beers, wines or seltzers.
In the food industry, a product has to contain less than 20ppm of gluten to be labeled as gluten-free. But when it comes to alcoholic beverage labeling, companies set their own standards. For White Claw, that threshold appears to be 5ppm of gluten, at least at the point of manufacturing facility testing.
Without enforced federal labeling regulations, brands essentially get to self-regulate their own interpretation of “gluten-free.” This means consumers need to carefully research brands and get information directly from manufacturers to feel fully confident in the accuracy of the label.
Key Considerations on White Claw’s Gluten-Free Status
Based on the available information from White Claw about their production and testing procedures, here are some key takeaways:
- White Claw is brewed from a gluten-free base of sugar cane rather than gluten-containing grains
- The company controls for cross-contamination at their facility and purifies the alcohol base
- Initial testing shows White Claw tests below 5ppm of gluten upon leaving the manufacturing facility
- However, the company provides limited transparency about their testing methodology
- There is no guarantee products remain below 5ppm gluten after they leave the facility
- White Claw faces no independent regulation on use of “gluten-free” wording
Overall, White Claw seems to take meaningful steps to eliminate gluten and avoid cross-contamination risks during production. But there are always possibilities of gluten exposure through transportation, shared equipment, bottling errors etc. after the initial facility testing.
Other Gluten-Free Seltzer Options
Beyond just White Claw, there are a growing number of gluten-free seltzer options on the market. Here are a few other popular brands and their claims around gluten content:
Bon & Viv Spiked Seltzer
- States each batch is third-party tested to ensure no detectable gluten
- Produced in facility that also makes gluten-containing beverages
Truly Hard Seltzer
- Made from sugar, fruit juice, and natural flavors – free of gluten-containing grains
- Manufactured in dedicated gluten-free facility
- PCR-based testing to confirm no detectable gluten
Smirnoff Seltzer
- Does not make any claims of being gluten-free
- Contains grain neutral spirits, likely distilled from glutenous grains
- Risk of gluten cross-contamination in non-dedicated facility
Nude Spiked Seltzer
- Made from cold-pressed fruit juices with no grains, gluten, added sugar or preservatives
- Not formally tested for gluten content
Those with celiac disease or NCGS may want to consider alternative options like Bon & Viv, Truly or Nude. Brands like Smirnoff with neutral grain base have higher inherent risk of traces of gluten. Reading ingredient lists carefully and understanding how each brand addresses gluten controls in their process can help guide choice.
Individual Sensitivity Varies
It is also important to remember that sensitivity levels to gluten vary widely between individuals. Some people with celiac disease or NCGS may react even to the trace amounts of gluten potentially present in beverages like White Claw. Others may be able to tolerate low levels without issue. There is no one-size-fits-all answer when it comes to gluten sensitivity.
So the only way to know for sure if White Claw, or any particular seltzer, is safe for your personal level of gluten intolerance is through trial and error. Starting with a small serving size, ideally on a full stomach, is recommended to assess response. Those who are highly sensitive may make the personal decision to stick to bottled seltzer water and avoid any product with risk of gluten cross-contamination.
The Verdict on White Claw’s Gluten-Free Status
Considering all the available information – here is the bottom line on whether White Claw hard seltzers are gluten-free:
White Claw seltzers likely contain very low levels of gluten, if any at all. However, the risk of trace gluten exposure cannot be fully ruled out due to potential limitations in testing methodology, risk of contamination after production facility, and lack of regulatory oversight.
While they make a conscious effort to avoid gluten, White Claw does not quite live up to the same rigorous gluten-free standards held by dedicated food brands certified by organizations like the Gluten-Free Certification Organization (GFCO).
For those simply avoiding gluten for lifestyle reasons, or who have mild sensitivities and can tolerate minimal trace exposure, White Claw can likely be enjoyed without issue for most. But for celiac patients and others hypersensitive, extra caution is warranted.
As with any product labeling itself as “gluten-free” without full federal oversight, it is smart for gluten-intolerant consumers to add an extra layer of personal verification before determining if White Claw is a good fit for their dietary needs and sensitivity level.
