Quick Answer
Yes, Rold Gold pretzels do contain gluten. Rold Gold pretzels are not gluten-free or certified gluten-free by the Gluten Intolerance Group. This means they contain gluten from wheat, rye, barley or cross-contaminated oats.
What is gluten?
Gluten is a group of proteins found in grains like wheat, barley, rye and contaminated oats. For people with celiac disease or non-celiac gluten sensitivity, gluten triggers an abnormal immune response that damages the small intestine. This can lead to symptoms like diarrhea, bloating, fatigue and nutritional deficiencies.
For people who need to follow a gluten-free diet for medical reasons, eating gluten can cause serious health issues. That’s why it’s important to avoid even small amounts of gluten from cross-contamination.
Why do pretzels contain gluten?
Most pretzel recipes call for wheat flour. Wheat flour contains gluten proteins, so pretzels made with wheat flour will contain gluten. Gluten helps give pretzels their chewy texture.
Some pretzel manufacturers also use barley malt as an ingredient. Barley is a gluten-containing grain, so barley malt contributes more gluten to the pretzels.
Are Rold Gold pretzels gluten-free?
No, Rold Gold pretzels are not gluten-free. Rold Gold is a popular pretzel brand owned by Frito-Lay. None of their pretzel products are labeled gluten-free or certified gluten-free.
According to the Rold Gold website, their products contain wheat flour, wheat starch and sometimes barley malt. All of these ingredients contain gluten.
The website has a statement saying they cannot guarantee their pretzels will meet the safety standard for people with celiac disease. This means cross-contamination with gluten is likely in their facilities.
Ingredients in Rold Gold Pretzels
Here are some of the main gluten-containing ingredients found in Rold Gold pretzels:
- Wheat flour
- Wheat starch
- Barley malt
Any product listing these ingredients will contain gluten.
What about gluten-removed wheat starch?
Some pretzels are made with gluten-removed wheat starch instead of regular wheat flour. This means the manufacturer extracts the gluten proteins from the wheat to make it gluten-free.
However, Rold Gold pretzels do not state they are made with gluten-removed wheat starch. Their website and labels simply list “wheat starch” as an ingredient, which contains gluten.
Can celiacs eat Rold Gold pretzels?
No, people with celiac disease must avoid Rold Gold pretzels and other products containing gluten. When a person with celiac disease eats gluten, it causes damage to the small intestine and adverse health effects.
Even tiny amounts of cross-contamination can be harmful. That’s why celiacs need to stick to foods with a “gluten-free” certification, which adhere to strict safety standards.
Do Rold Gold pretzels contain wheat?
Yes, Rold Gold pretzels clearly state they contain wheat. Wheat is listed as an allergen on their products.
The wheat-based ingredients include:
- Wheat flour
- Whole wheat flour
- Wheat starch
Rold Gold pretzels are not safe for people with a wheat allergy or gluten-related disorders like celiac disease.
Are flavored Rold Gold pretzels gluten-free?
No, flavored Rold Gold pretzels including honey wheat braided twists, cinnamon braided twists and sourdough hard pretzels contain gluten. They are made using the same wheat-based ingredients as original Rold Gold pretzels.
None of Rold Gold’s flavored pretzels are labeled gluten-free or tested for gluten safety. People who need to avoid gluten should avoid all types of Rold Gold pretzels.
Which Rold Gold pretzels have gluten?
All Rold Gold pretzel products contain gluten. This includes:
- Original pretzels
- Thin pretzels
- Braided twists
- Sourdough hard pretzels
- Honey wheat braided twists
- Cinnamon braided twists
- Fat-free tiny twisted pretzels
- Any limited edition flavors
Rold Gold does not offer any gluten-free pretzel options at this time.
Should celiacs avoid Rold Gold factories?
It’s generally recommended that people with celiac disease avoid factories that process gluten. Gluten cross-contamination is very likely in facilities that make gluten-containing foods.
Rold Gold pretzels are produced in factories that also process wheat flour, barley malt and other glutenous ingredients. There is a high risk of cross-contact with gluten during production.
For this reason, the Celiac Disease Foundation advises those with celiac disease to avoid touring the Rold Gold factory in Iowa. Exposure to airborne gluten could make someone ill.
Can you order gluten-free pretzels from Rold Gold?
No, Rold Gold does not currently offer any gluten-free pretzel options. Their menu is limited to traditional gluten-containing pretzels.
However, you may be able to request gluten-free pretzels or a gluten-free menu at stadiums, movie theaters and other venues that serve Rold Gold pretzels. Many facilities have gluten-free concessions to accommodate various dietary needs.
Some gluten-free pretzel brands include:
- Glutino
- Snyders of Hanover
- Udi’s
- Celia’s Bakery
Are any Rold Gold pretzels vegan?
Yes, some Rold Gold pretzels are vegan. Original Rold Gold pretzels only contain vegan ingredients:
- Enriched wheat flour (wheat flour, niacin, reduced iron, thiamine mononitrate, riboflavin, folic acid)
- Wheat starch
- Salt
- Yeast
- Soybean oil
- Dextrose
- Malted barley flour
However, some flavored Rold Gold pretzels contain dairy-based ingredients and are not vegan. For example, their seasonal Pumpkin Spice Twists contain milk.
To identify vegan options, check ingredient lists carefully for milk, whey, butter or other dairy products.
Can vegetarians eat Rold Gold pretzels?
Yes, Rold Gold pretzels are generally vegetarian-friendly. Their original pretzels do not contain any meat, poultry, fish or animal-derived ingredients other than milk.
However, some limited edition seasonal flavors may contain animal products other than milk. For example, their Pumpkin Spice Twists contain milk.
To identify vegetarian Rold Gold pretzels, check the ingredients list and avoid any products listing meat, fish, poultry or gelatin.
Do Rold Gold pretzels contain milk?
Most original Rold Gold pretzels do not contain milk or any dairy ingredients. However, some flavors do contain milk.
For example, Rold Gold Pumpkin Spice Twists list milk as an ingredient. Their Honey Wheat Braided Twists also contain milk.
Always check the ingredient label carefully for milk, whey, buttermilk powder or any other dairy derivatives. People with milk allergies need to avoid pretzels containing milk.
Can you find gluten-free pretzels from Rold Gold?
No, there are currently no gluten-free pretzel options available from Rold Gold. Their entire pretzel line contains gluten from wheat, barley and malt ingredients.
Rold Gold does not label any of their products gluten-free or make gluten removal claims. Their facilities are high-risk for cross-contamination with gluten.
Those with celiac disease, gluten sensitivity or wheat allergy will need to avoid all Rold Gold pretzel products and find certified gluten-free pretzel brands that meet their dietary needs.
Should people with gluten intolerance eat Rold Gold pretzels?
No, people diagnosed with a gluten intolerance or sensitivity should avoid eating Rold Gold pretzels. They contain gluten from wheat-based ingredients.
Even small amounts of gluten can trigger uncomfortable digestive symptoms in those with gluten intolerance. Symptoms may include bloating, stomach pain, fatigue, diarrhea and headaches after consuming gluten.
It’s not considered safe for people with gluten intolerance to consume food products made in facilities that also process gluten. Rold Gold’s manufacturing practices make their pretzels very high-risk for cross-contact.
Can you eat Rold Gold pretzels on a gluten-free diet?
No, Rold Gold pretzels should be avoided on a gluten-free diet. They contain wheat, barley malt and other glutenous grains.
A gluten-free diet requires excluding all foods and products containing wheat, rye, barley and contaminated oats. This includes most pretzels made with wheat flour.
Instead, look for pretzels certified gluten-free by organizations like GFCO, made with corn flour, rice flour or gluten-free oats. Read labels carefully to ensure safety.
What about Rold Gold pretzel ingredients?
Here are some key facts about ingredients in Rold Gold pretzels:
- Contain wheat flour and wheat starch – these ingredients contain gluten.
- May contain barley malt – barley is a gluten grain.
- Not labeled gluten-free or certified gluten-free
- Produced on shared lines with gluten ingredients
- High risk of cross-contamination
Based on their ingredients and manufacturing, Rold Gold pretzels are not suitable for gluten-free or wheat-free diets. Their facilities are not safe for those with celiac disease or gluten intolerance.
Can you eat Rold Gold pretzels if you have a wheat allergy?
No, people with a wheat allergy must avoid Rold Gold pretzels entirely. Rold Gold’s pretzels clearly state that they contain wheat as an ingredient.
Even tiny amounts of wheat can trigger potentially life-threatening allergic reactions in those with wheat allergy. Reactions may include hives, swelling, difficulty breathing, stomach cramps, nausea and anaphylaxis.
Reading labels carefully and avoiding all products containing wheat or traces of wheat is the only way for people with wheat allergy to stay safe.
Conclusion
In summary, all Rold Gold pretzel products contain gluten and wheat-based ingredients. They are not safe or suitable for people with celiac disease, non-celiac gluten sensitivity, wheat allergy or any form of gluten intolerance.
Rold Gold pretzels are made in facilities at high risk for cross-contact with gluten. They do not offer any gluten-free or wheat-free pretzel options at this time.
Those following gluten-free, wheat-free or celiac diets should avoid Rold Gold pretzels. However, some original flavors are suitable for vegetarians. Carefully read labels to identify vegan and dairy-free options.
Until Rold Gold provides gluten-free pretzels, celiacs and gluten-sensitive individuals will need to choose certified gluten-free pretzel brands made with safe ingredients in dedicated facilities.