Lawry’s seasoning salt is a popular all-purpose seasoning blend that contains salt, sugar, spices, onion, garlic, and other natural flavors. It is commonly used to season various foods like meats, vegetables, fries, etc. to enhance their flavor. However, for people with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity, an important question arises – does Lawry’s seasoning salt contain 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 abnormal immune response which causes damage to the small intestine. This can lead to symptoms like abdominal pain, bloating, diarrhea, constipation, headaches, fatigue and more. For people with gluten-related disorders, following a strict gluten-free diet is essential to manage their condition. This requires avoiding foods and products containing gluten.
Common Sources of Gluten
Some common food sources that contain gluten include:
- Breads, cereals, baked goods made with wheat, barley or rye
- Pastas, noodles, couscous made from wheat, barley or rye
- Beer and ales
- Malt vinegar
- Soy sauce
- Seasonings and sauces containing gluten ingredients
In addition to obvious sources, gluten can also be found in less apparent foods and products, including soups, candies, processed meats, fries, salad dressings, nuts, licorice, and more. Pre-packaged foods may also contain hidden sources of gluten due to cross-contamination. Reading labels carefully and looking for a ‘gluten-free’ certification is important for gluten-sensitive individuals.
Ingredients in Lawry’s Seasoning Salt
According to the product label, the ingredients in Lawry’s seasoning salt are:
- Salt
- Sugar
- Spices (including paprika, turmeric, mustard, celery seed, ginger)
- Onion
- Garlic
- Natural flavors
- Corn maltodextrin
- Corn starch
- Pectin
Lawry’s states that their seasoning salt blend does not contain any wheat, rye, or barley – the main gluten-containing grains.
Analysis of Ingredients
Upon close inspection of the ingredients list, none of the components directly contain gluten.
Salt is naturally gluten-free. Sugar may come from sugar cane or beets which are gluten-free plants. Spices are generally gluten-free as well. Onions, garlic and natural flavors do not contain gluten.
Corn maltodextrin and corn starch are derived from corn which is naturally gluten-free. Pectin is also a gluten-free ingredient, commonly made from citrus fruits or apples.
So none of the individual constituent ingredients in Lawry’s seasoning salt appear to be sources of gluten.
Risk of Cross-Contamination
Although the ingredients seem to be gluten-free based on the label, there is still a risk of cross-contamination during manufacturing and processing:
- The facility where Lawry’s seasoning salt is produced may also process wheat or gluten-containing ingredients on shared equipment.
- During bottling and packaging, accidental mixing could occur if wheat-based products are handled alongside the gluten-free seasoning salt.
However, Lawry’s states that their products labeled as gluten-free are produced in facilities that manufacture foods both with and without gluten. They have procedures in place to prevent cross-contamination, including thorough cleaning protocols and batch testing.
Certifications
Lawry’s seasoning salt is not certified gluten-free by any recognized gluten-free certification programs like the Gluten-Free Certification Organization (GFCO) or Coeliac UK.
Lack of third-party certification means gluten-sensitive individuals need to use their own judgement regarding potential for cross-contamination.
Comparison to Other Seasoning Salts
For context, it is helpful to compare Lawry’s ingredients and certifications to some other popular seasoning salt blends:
| Brand | States Gluten-Free | Third-Party Certified |
|---|---|---|
| Lawry’s | No | No |
| Johnny’s | Yes | Yes (GFCO) |
| Spike | No | No |
| Morton | Yes | No |
This comparison shows that Lawry’s, along with Spike, does not explicitly state gluten-free or have third-party certification. Meanwhile, Johnny’s and Morton indicate they are gluten-free, with Johnny’s being officially certified.
Contacting the Manufacturer
To gain more definitive information, the best approach is to directly contact Lawry’s consumer affairs department.
Important questions to ask include:
- Is there a risk of cross-contamination at the facilities where Lawry’s seasoning salt is produced and packaged?
- Are any testing procedures in place to check seasoning salt batches for gluten?
- What is the threshold level they use when testing for gluten presence (should be below 20 parts per million)?
- Have any independent lab tests been conducted to verify non-detectable levels of gluten?
- Are dedicated production lines and packaging equipment used?
Their responses to these questions will help determine the actual likelihood of gluten cross-contamination.
Using Third-Party Testing
In lieu of getting definitive answers from the manufacturer, another option is to purchase a home test kit that allows you to test Lawry’s seasoning salt for the presence of gluten.
One such option is the EZ Gluten home test kit, which can detect gluten down to 5 parts per million. The kit includes test strips you dip into a food sample, with results in about 5 minutes. This can provide added assurance of whether gluten is present or not.
Seeking Medical Guidance
For those with celiac disease, it is best to consult their healthcare provider or registered dietitian about the suitability of using Lawry’s seasoning salt.
The doctor or dietitian can review the ingredients, manufacturing processes, and potential cross-contamination concerns. They can then provide individualized advice based on the person’s health status, sensitivity level, and risk tolerance.
Guidance may vary depending on factors like:
- Whether the person has celiac disease versus non-celiac gluten sensitivity
- Presence of symptoms and any intestinal damage
- How strictly gluten intake needs to be avoided
- Willingness to take a risk with potential trace gluten
Doctors may recommend avoiding Lawry’s for highly sensitive celiac patients until more details are known. Those with milder intolerance may approve trying it in moderation.
Trying an Elimination Diet
For those with gluten issues wishing to try Lawry’s seasoning salt, starting with an elimination diet can help determine individual tolerance.
An elimination diet involves removing Lawry’s and all other sources of gluten from the diet for 3-4 weeks. Symptoms are allowed to clear.
Then Lawry’s can be reintroduced in small amounts to check for any reactions or return of symptoms. If no issues arise, regular moderate use may be ok. But if symptoms flare up, it would be a sign that Lawry’s seasoning salt is not gluten-free enough for your needs and should be avoided.
Precautions When Using Lawry’s Seasoning Salt
For gluten-sensitive individuals who wish to experiment with using Lawry’s seasoning salt, some precautions can help minimize any potential exposure:
- Check bottles to ensure no signs of damage or product contamination
- Thoroughly wash hands, cooking tools, surfaces before and after use to prevent cross-contact
- Use dedicated salt shakers for Lawry’s rather than ones used for other gluten-containing foods
- Avoid using Lawry’s on foods that already contain gluten sources
- Consume smaller trial portions first to gauge tolerance
- Watch carefully for symptom reactions afterward
Exercising caution can enable a trial of Lawry’s while reducing risks.
Choosing Alternatives to Lawry’s
For those wanting to steer clear of the uncertainty around Lawry’s, many gluten-free alternatives exist:
- Johnny’s seasoning salt
- Mrs. Dash salt-free seasonings
- Spike no-salt seasoning
- Badia complete seasoning
- McCormick gluten-free all-purpose seasoning
- Make your own custom blend using gluten-free herbs and spices
Choosing seasonings with a certified “gluten-free” label ensures reliability for gluten disorders. Reading all labels is still advised too.
Summary
So does Lawry’s seasoning salt contain gluten? The individual ingredients appear gluten-free based on the list printed on the label. However, the risk of cross-contamination during manufacturing is unclear since the product lacks official gluten-free certification. Contacting the company directly yields the most accurate information about their processes and testing procedures.
For celiac patients, strict avoidance is advised until more details are obtained. People with milder non-celiac gluten sensitivity may cautiously try Lawry’s using an elimination diet approach to test individual tolerance. Following precautions when using Lawry’s can help reduce exposure. Opting for certified gluten-free alternatives is the safest option for gluten-free diets.
Conclusion
Determining definitively whether Lawry’s seasoning salt contains gluten requires further investigation into manufacturing processes and quality control measures beyond the basic product label. People with celiac disease and gluten intolerance should use caution and consult with a healthcare provider when considering incorporating Lawry’s seasoning salt into a gluten-free diet until more concrete information is available. Relying on certified gluten-free alternatives is the most reliable approach to avoid potential gluten cross-contact risks.
