Rice Krispies cereal is a popular breakfast cereal made by Kellogg’s. The main ingredients are rice, sugar, and malt flavoring. For people with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity, a common question is whether Rice Krispies contain gluten.
Do Rice Krispies Contain Gluten?
The short answer is yes, Rice Krispies cereal does contain trace amounts of gluten. This is because some of the ingredients, like malt flavoring, contain gluten. However, the amounts are very small and Rice Krispies are considered “gluten free” by the FDA standards.
According to Kellogg’s, Rice Krispies have been tested to contain less than 20 parts per million (ppm) of gluten. This is below the FDA limit of less than 20 ppm for foods to be labelled as “gluten free”.
So while Rice Krispies are not 100% gluten free, they contain such negligible amounts of gluten that they are safe for most people with celiac disease or gluten sensitivities. Some extremely sensitive individuals may still react to the tiny amounts of gluten in Rice Krispies.
Rice Krispies Ingredients
To understand where the gluten comes from in Rice Krispies, let’s look at the ingredients:
- Rice
- Sugar
- Salt
- Malt flavoring
- Iron
- Vitamin B (niacinamide)
- Vitamin B (pyridoxine hydrochloride)
- Vitamin B (folic acid)
The main source of gluten is the malt flavoring. Malt is made from barley, which contains gluten. However, the malt is highly processed so that very little gluten remains.
Rice, sugar, salt, and vitamins do not contain gluten. So aside from the malt flavoring, the other ingredients are gluten-free.
Is Malt Gluten-Free?
Malt is derived from barley, which contains gluten. However, some types of malt go through additional processing to remove most of the gluten.
There are a few different types of malt:
- Malted barley – Contains gluten
- Malt extract – May contain gluten
- Malt flavoring – Produced from corn; gluten-free
The type of malt used in Rice Krispies is a malt flavoring made from corn, not barley. This makes it gluten-free, according to Kellogg’s.
However, trace amounts of gluten can make their way into malt flavoring through cross-contamination during processing and storage. This explains why Rice Krispies are not 100% gluten-free.
Is Rice Krispies Cereal Safe for a Gluten-Free Diet?
Whether Rice Krispies cereal is safe for a gluten-free diet depends on an individual’s sensitivity level:
- Celiac disease – Most people with celiac disease can safely eat Rice Krispies in moderation. But some need to avoid it.
- Gluten sensitivity – Should be fine for most but could be problematic for those highly sensitive.
- Wheat allergy – Rice Krispies are safe since they don’t contain wheat.
- Not gluten-related – Rice Krispies are safe to eat.
It’s best to be cautious at first and see if any symptoms develop after eating Rice Krispies. Some good guidelines are:
- Check for any reactions like bloating, abdominal pain, fatigue, etc. in the hours and days after eating.
- Start with a small serving size (1/2 cup) at first.
- Try substituting regular Rice Krispies with Rice Krispies Gluten Free which has less than 5 ppm gluten.
- Avoid eating Rice Krispies cereal every day and limit to a few times per week.
If you experience any negative reactions after eating Rice Krispies cereal, it’s best to avoid them since even tiny amounts of gluten may be problematic for you.
Other Gluten-Free Cereal Options
If you need to avoid even traces of gluten, here are some breakfast cereal options that are certified gluten-free:
| Cereal | Gluten Amount |
|---|---|
| Rice Krispies Gluten Free | Less than 5 ppm |
| Corn Flakes | Not detected |
| Froot Loops | Not detected |
| Cheerios | Less than 5 ppm |
| Chex (Rice, Corn, etc) | Not detected |
| Kashi 7 Whole Grain Nuggets | Less than 5 ppm |
As you can see, Chex, Corn Flakes, Froot Loops and others test as gluten-free. Opting for these cereals is a good way to minimize gluten exposure from breakfast foods.
Is Gluten-Free Rice Krispies More Expensive?
Rice Krispies cereal that is labeled as gluten-free tends to cost a bit more than the regular version. Here is a price comparison:
- Regular Rice Krispies (24 oz) – $4.48
- Rice Krispies Gluten Free (12.5 oz) – $4.99
So the gluten-free Rice Krispies costs roughly twice as much per ounce compared to regular Rice Krispies cereal. However, many people find paying extra for the certainty of a gluten-free product is worth it.
Are Other Kellogg’s Cereals gluten-free?
Here is an overview of the gluten content in other popular Kellogg’s cereals:
| Cereal | Contains Gluten? |
|---|---|
| Mini Wheats | Yes |
| Corn Flakes | No |
| Raisin Bran | Yes |
| Froot Loops | No |
| Apple Jacks | No |
| Frosted Flakes | No |
| Special K | Yes |
As shown, Corn Flakes, Froot Loops, Apple Jacks, and Frosted Flakes are gluten-free. However, Mini Wheats, Raisin Bran, and Special K contain gluten.
It’s always important to double check the label for gluten information when trying a new cereal. Formulas can change over time.
Should Rice Krispies Have a “Gluten-Free” Label?
Since Rice Krispies cereal tests below 20 ppm of gluten, it meets the FDA requirements to voluntarily carry a “gluten-free” label.
However, Kellogg’s has chosen not to label regular Rice Krispies as gluten-free. Instead, they reserve the gluten-free label only for their Rice Krispies Gluten Free product.
Kellogg’s likely does this to reduce liability. Since trace gluten can sneak in, labeling regular Rice Krispies as gluten-free could open them up to lawsuits if someone reacted. It also encourages consumers who need to be 100% gluten-free to buy the more expensive gluten-free version.
Pros of Adding a Gluten-Free Label
- Remove ambiguity – customers immediately know it meets the FDA standard.
- Peace of mind for gluten-sensitive shoppers.
- May increase sales from gluten-free consumers.
Cons of Adding a Gluten-Free Label
- Risk of lawsuit if highly sensitive consumers react to trace gluten.
- May need to implement stricter manufacturing processes to guarantee no cross-contamination.
- Reduce sales of more expensive clearly gluten-free options.
Overall, Kellogg’s is likely playing it safe by keeping a gluten-free label off regular Rice Krispies. But many consumers would appreciate it if they did add the label, as long as Kellogg’s stands behind the guarantee.
The Bottom Line
Here’s a summary of answers to common questions about gluten in Rice Krispies cereal:
- Rice Krispies contain trace amounts of gluten (less than 20 ppm) from malt flavoring.
- The malt used is made from corn, not barley, so by itself is gluten-free.
- Most people with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity can eat Rice Krispies, but some may still react.
- Rice Krispies are safe for people will wheat allergies or no gluten issues.
- Gluten-free alternatives include Chex, Corn Flakes, Froot Loops and others.
- Gluten-free Rice Krispies cost more than the regular version.
- Kellogg’s chooses not to label regular Rice Krispies as gluten-free, likely for liability reasons.
While not entirely gluten-free, Rice Krispies cereal contain such low amounts of gluten that they are still considered safe for most gluten-free diets. Some extra precautions like starting slow and trying alternates may be warranted for highly sensitive individuals.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Are Rice Krispies vegan?
Yes, Rice Krispies cereal is vegan. None of the ingredients come from animal sources. The rice, sugar, malt flavoring, vitamins, and minerals used to make Rice Krispies are all plant-based.
2. Are Rice Krispies kosher?
Yes, regular Rice Krispies cereal is kosher certified by the Orthodox Union (OU). The OU symbol can be found on the bottom right corner of the Rice Krispies cereal box.
3. Are there any nuts in Rice Krispies?
No, Rice Krispies cereal does not contain any nuts. The only ingredients are rice, sugar, malt flavoring, and vitamins & minerals. So Rice Krispies are safe for people with nut allergies.
4. Are Rice Krispies healthy?
Rice Krispies aren’t the most nutritious cereal choice, but they aren’t too unhealthy either. A 1 cup serving contains around 110 calories, 2 grams of fiber and 5% daily value of iron. But they also have around 14 grams of added sugar. So Rice Krispies make an OK breakfast option when paired with fresh fruit or dairy for extra nutrition.
5. When were Rice Krispies invented?
Rice Krispies first hit store shelves in 1928 after being developed by Kellogg’s in 1927. The cereal was patented by Malitson B. Kellogg in 1941.
6. Do Rice Krispies expire?
Properly stored Rice Krispies cereal lasts for around 6-12 months past the printed expiration date on the box. Keeping the cereal in an airtight container in a cool, dry spot can help extend its shelf life. But eventually the cereal can go stale, get soggy or develop an off smell, flavor or appearance.
7. Where are Rice Krispies made?
Rice Krispies are made at various Kellogg’s cereal manufacturing facilities around the world. In the United States, Rice Krispies are primarily produced at plants in Tennessee, Michigan and Pennsylvania.
8. Are Rice Krispies tasty cold or hot?
Rice Krispies certainly taste great served cold with milk, as is traditional for breakfast cereal. But they are also delicious when the cereal is warmed up. This causes the Rice Krispies to pop and crackle more vigorously, enhancing the flavor and texture.
9. What vitamins are in Rice Krispies?
Rice Krispies are fortified with vitamins to make them more nutritious. The vitamins added include folic acid, niacinamide (vitamin B3), and pyridoxine hydrochloride (vitamin B6). A 1 cup serving of Rice Krispies provides 10-25% of the recommended daily intake of these key B vitamins.
10. Are Rice Krispies tasty only with milk?
While milk is the most common way to eat Rice Krispies, you can top or mix them into lots of other beverages too. Some examples include nut milk, yogurt, cottage cheese, applesauce, or even just water. The cereal also tastes great on its own without any liquid too.
