Gluten-free diets have become increasingly popular in recent years, with more and more people adopting a gluten-free lifestyle for health, dietary, or personal reasons. This rise in demand for gluten-free products has led many restaurants and food retailers to expand their gluten-free offerings. One major grocery chain that has embraced the gluten-free trend is Whole Foods Market.
What is Gluten?
Before exploring whether Whole Foods sells gluten-free pizza specifically, it helps to understand what gluten is and why some people need to avoid it.
Gluten is a protein found in grains like wheat, barley, and rye. It acts as a glue that helps foods like bread maintain their shape and texture. For most people, gluten does not cause any issues. However, for those with celiac disease or non-celiac gluten sensitivity, gluten can trigger a negative autoimmune response that damages the small intestine. This can lead to symptoms like abdominal pain, bloating, diarrhea, constipation, vomiting, fatigue, and more. The only treatment for celiac disease is committing to a strict lifelong gluten-free diet.
Prevalence of Gluten-Related Disorders
Celiac disease impacts approximately 1% of people worldwide. Non-celiac gluten sensitivity may impact an additional estimated 6-7% of the population. Together, these conditions mean close to 10 million people in the United States alone require a gluten-free diet.
The Gluten-Free Diet
Following a gluten-free diet entails excluding any foods, beverages or medications that contain gluten. This includes obvious bread and baked good products, as well as less obvious foods containing wheat, barley, rye or oat ingredients. With gluten found in many staple foods, adhering to a strict gluten-free diet can be challenging. Accidental exposure to small amounts of gluten, such as trace ingredients in processed foods or cross-contamination during production, can also trigger symptoms in sensitive individuals.
Allowed Foods
While the gluten-free diet restricts many carbohydrate-rich foods, there are still ample healthy and delicious options to choose from, including:
- All unprocessed fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts, seeds, oils
- Gluten-free whole grains like rice, quinoa, buckwheat, certified gluten-free oats
- Dairy products
- Eggs
- Meat, fish, poultry
- Gluten-free flours like rice, potato, tapioca, chickpea
Avoid Foods
Foods containing wheat, barley, rye or contaminated oats should be avoided, like:
- Breads, biscuits, muffins, crackers made with gluten-containing flours
- Pasta, cereal, baked goods
- Ale, lager, malt beverages
- Foods containing malt extract or malt flavoring
- Soups, sauces, gravies thickened with wheat flour
- Imitation meats containing gluten-based ingredients
It’s important to carefully read ingredient labels, as gluten can hide in unexpected products under names like malt, starch, filler or natural flavoring. When in doubt, checking for a gluten-free certification label on packaged foods can provide assurance.
The Gluten-Free Label
For a product to be labelled as “gluten-free” in the United States, it must contain less than 20 parts per million (ppm) of gluten. This threshold was put in place by the FDA Gluten-Free Labeling Regulation in 2013, making it easier for consumers to identify products appropriate for a gluten-free diet. Manufacturers must ensure their products meet this standard through careful ingredient sourcing and processing controls to prevent cross-contamination.
In addition to the FDA rule, there are a few independent gluten-free certification programs products can participate in, including:
- Gluten-Free Certification Program – GFCO
- Celiac Sprue Association Recognition Seal – CSA
- Gluten-Free Certification – GFCP
These programs have additional testing and facility audit requirements to further ensure the safety of certified gluten-free products.
What About Oats?
Traditionally, oats were advised against on the gluten-free diet. This is because oats are often cross-contaminated with wheat during growing and processing. However, many celiacs can tolerate gluten-free oats in moderation. Oats labeled “gluten-free” have safeguards in place to prevent cross-contamination and are considered GF.
Gluten-Free Shopping at Whole Foods
With an understanding of what makes a food gluten-free, we can now specifically look at the gluten-free offerings available at Whole Foods Market stores.
As a leader in natural and organic foods, Whole Foods recognizes the importance of accommodating various dietary needs and restrictions. They offer a wide selection of certified gluten-free items in their stores and bakehouse to cater to gluten-free shoppers.
Gluten-Free Grocery
Across Whole Foods’ grocery aisles, you can find clearly labelled gluten-free products like:
- Fresh produce, meat, seafood
- Dairy products
- Gluten-free grains, flours, pasta
- Condiments and dressings
- Snack foods
- Gluten-free beer and wine
Special diets tags help identify gluten-free items. Shoppers can further rest assured that Whole Foods has procedures in place to prevent cross-contamination of gluten-free foods during shipping, receiving and stocking.
Gluten-Free Bakery
Finding tasty gluten-free baked goods can be one of the most challenging parts of the diet. But Whole Foods’ in-store bakeries offer a wide range of gluten-free bread, muffins, cookies, crackers and more. Their bakery products are produced in facilities compliant with GFCO certification standards.
365 by Whole Foods Market
Whole Foods’ 365 Everyday Value brand includes a broad assortment of gluten-free products. The 365 line features gluten-free options across categories like:
- Pizza crusts and frozen pizzas
- Breads, bagels, tortillas
- Pasta and baking mixes
- Crackers, chips, cereal
- Soup, broths
- Desserts
The 365 brand items are frequently lab-tested to verify gluten levels test below 10 ppm.
Does Whole Foods Sell Gluten-Free Pizza?
Now that we’ve covered the extensive gluten-free offerings at Whole Foods, we arrive at the central question: Can you buy gluten-free pizza there? The answer is a resounding yes!
Gluten-free customers have a few tasty pizza options to choose from in Whole Foods stores or to order for delivery.
Prepared GF Pizza at Whole Foods
Many Whole Foods locations feature pizza stations where you can buy individual prepared pizzas, by the slice or whole. They rotate their pizza offerings daily. While menus vary by location, stores often prepare gluten-free pizzas with gluten-free crusts and ingredients. Some examples include:
- Vegetable pizzas with gluten-free crust
- BBQ chicken pizza made with a brown rice crust
- Margherita pizza with a thin, crispy brown rice & quinoa crust
Prepared pizzas are assembled on-site following procedures to avoid cross-contamination.
365 Gluten-Free Frozen Pizza
For enjoying gluten-free pizza from the comfort of home, Whole Foods’ 365 Everyday Value brand offers a Deliciously Gluten Free Frozen Pizza in varieties like:
- Cheese Pizza
- Margherita
- Four Cheese
- Roasted Vegetable
These single-serve frozen pizzas are made with a gluten-free thin crust and gluten-free ingredients. They provide a quick, tasty pizza fix in just 10-12 minutes of baking.
ORDER ONLINE
In select locations, Whole Foods partners with third-party providers to offer on-demand delivery or pick-up ordering online. When using these services, there are gluten-free pizza options available for order, including:
- Udi’s Gluten Free Pizza
- Against the Grain Gluten Free Pizza
- Palermo Villa Gluten Free Pizza
Ordering online allows you to conveniently get gluten-free pizza shipped direct to your doorstep.
Tips for Buying Gluten-Free Pizza
When selecting gluten-free pizza at Whole Foods or elsewhere, keep the following guidance in mind:
- Check labels – Ensure the pizza clearly states it is gluten-free or certified gluten-free.
- Avoid cross-contamination – Opt for items prepared on dedicated GF surfaces and baked separately from gluten-containing foods.
- Communicate with staff – Ask questions to confirm proper precautions are followed to avoid gluten exposure.
- Enjoy immediately – For prepared pizzas, eat promptly or refrigerate to avoid drying. Freeze extra frozen pizzas.
- Supplement as needed – Pair your gluten-free pizza with extra salad, protein or veggies for a balanced meal.
Adhering to a gluten-free diet requires some adjustments, diligence and flexibility. But retailers like Whole Foods offer ample gluten-free choices – like pizza! – to make GF living more enjoyable.
Is Whole Foods Worth it for Gluten-Free?
Shopping at specialty chains like Whole Foods tends to come with higher price tags compared to regular grocers. Is it worth the extra cost for those seeking gluten-free foods?
There are pros and cons to consider when deciding where to shop gluten-free. Let’s examine some of the key factors:
Pros of Whole Foods for Gluten-Free
- Large selection of natural gluten-free products
- Items clearly labeled gluten-free
- Trusted 365 gluten-free brand
- In-store gluten-free bakery
- Prepared gluten-free foods like pizza
- Robust quality assurance and handling procedures
- Staff trained on gluten-free diet& needs
Potential Cons
- Higher cost versus conventional stores
- Limited geographic availability
- Can lack mainstream gluten-free brands
- Some products still contain allergens like dairy, nuts
For shoppers with flexible budgets or those new to the gluten-free diet, Whole Foods provides exceptional access to quality gluten-free products in a supportive shopping environment. However, regular supermarkets are improving their gluten-free sections and often offer more budget-friendly pricing on staple items. Cross-shopping between stores can allow gluten-free customers to optimize cost and convenience.
The Bottom Line
Whole Foods Market has clearly embraced the gluten-free movement and offers far more than just gluten-free pizza. Shoppers can readily find trusted gluten-free versions of nearly any pantry staple, frozen food or ready-to-eat meal. While specialty stores come with a price premium, Whole Foods delivers exceptional variety, quality standards and assistance for the gluten-free lifestyle.
So for those wondering “Does Whole Foods sell gluten-free pizza?” – the answer is a definite yes! Gluten-free pizza rounds out Whole Foods’ comprehensive assortment of delicious and diet-appropriate options for the gluten-free shopper.
