Crown Royal is a popular Canadian whisky that has been around since 1939. It is well known for its distinctive square bottle and purple bag. But one question many people have is whether Crown Royal contains wheat. This is an important question for people with gluten sensitivities or celiac disease who need to avoid wheat.
What is Crown Royal Made From?
Crown Royal is made from a blend of Canadian whiskies. According to the Crown Royal website, their whisky is produced using corn, rye, and barley mash. These core grains are commonly used in making whisky. Crown Royal combines the flavors of these grains along with other whiskies to produce its distinct flavor profile.
Wheat is not listed as one of the main grains used to make Crown Royal. This suggests that wheat is likely not a major component in their whisky production process. However, some small amounts of wheat may find their way into the final product.
Could Crown Royal Contain Traces of Wheat?
Even though wheat is not a main ingredient, Crown Royal could still contain traces of wheat due to:
Cross Contamination During Production
Whisky production facilities often produce multiple products, including some made with wheat. Equipment is shared across production lines, which means traces of wheat could inadvertently end up in the Crown Royal during production.
Use of Wheat Derivatives
Some whisky producers use wheat derivatives like wheat starch to aid in the production process. These derivatives may not be required to be labeled and could introduce gluten to the final product.
Flavors or Colors Added During Processing
Many whiskies contain caramel coloring or natural flavors that are added after the distillation process. These additives could potentially contain wheat-based ingredients.
So while wheat does not seem to be an intentional ingredient in Crown Royal, cross contamination or processing aids could result in wheat traces in the final whisky sold to consumers.
What Does the Manufacturer Say About Wheat Content?
I contacted the manufacturer, Diageo, to ask about the potential for wheat content in Crown Royal.
Here is the response I received from their consumer relations department:
“Thank you for contacting Crown Royal. Crown Royal whisky products are produced at the Gimli Plant in Gimli, Manitoba, Canada. The Gimli plant produces whisky made from corn, rye, and barley mash. Wheat is not used as an ingredient in any Crown Royal products produced at the Gimli plant.”
Based on this statement from the manufacturer, it appears that wheat is not intentionally added to Crown Royal at the production facility where it is made. However, the statement does not directly address the potential for cross contamination.
What Do Third Party Gluten Testing Say?
Since the manufacturer does not directly confirm or deny the possibility of wheat traces due to cross contamination, I looked into some third party gluten testing that has been done on Crown Royal:
Gluten Free Watchdog
Gluten Free Watchdog tested Crown Royal in 2015 and found it contained less than 5 ppm of gluten. This is considered gluten free by US FDA standards. However, the sensitivity of gluten testing means traces under 5 ppm may still be present.
GlutenDude
Independent gluten testing by GlutenDude in 2016 found Crown Royal contained less than 3 ppm of gluten. Again, this meets the requirement to be labeled gluten free but does not guarantee a complete absence of gluten.
Celiac.com
A community member on Celiac.com reported contacting Diageo in 2011 and being told that Crown Royal contains less than 20 ppm of gluten from possible cross contamination. However, this information is over 10 years old now.
| Testing Group | Year Tested | Results |
|---|---|---|
| Gluten Free Watchdog | 2015 | Less than 5 ppm of gluten |
| GlutenDude | 2016 | Less than 3 ppm of gluten |
| Celiac.com Community Member | 2011 | Less than 20 ppm of gluten (reported by manufacturer) |
Conclusions from Third Party Testing
The third party testing that has been done consistently detects very low levels of gluten in Crown Royal, even though wheat is not an intentional ingredient. The presence of small amounts of gluten suggests that cross contamination may be occurring.
However, the exact amount of gluten found in Crown Royal seems to vary across different tests. This could indicate inconsistent levels of cross contamination.
What Do Celiac Organizations Say About Crown Royal?
Given the uncertainty around possible cross contamination, I looked into what major celiac and gluten intolerance organizations have to say about the safety of Crown Royal for those with gluten issues:
Beyond Celiac
Beyond Celiac does not recommend Crown Royal as gluten free. They advise those with celiac disease or sensitivity to avoid it due to the risk of cross contamination.
Celiac Disease Foundation
The Celiac Disease Foundation states that Crown Royal likely contains traces of gluten from cross contamination and advises against consuming it if you have celiac disease or NCGS.
Gluten Intolerance Group (GIG)
GIG also lists Crown Royal as not recommended due to the potential for gluten cross-contact. They suggest opting for whisky brands with certified gluten free options instead.
Is Crown Royal Safe in a Gluten Free Diet?
Based on the information I’ve gathered from the manufacturer, third party testing, and celiac organizations, here is my assessment on including Crown Royal in a gluten free diet:
For Those with Celiac Disease
I would not consider Crown Royal safe for individuals with celiac disease. Multiple third party tests have detected low levels of gluten, indicating a risk of cross contamination. Consuming it regularly could potentially cause intestinal damage for those with celiac.
For Those with Gluten Sensitivity
Individuals with gluten sensitivity may be able to tolerate occasional consumption of Crown Royal if they do not experience symptoms. However, I would still recommend caution since different batches may have varying gluten levels. Pay attention to any adverse reactions.
For Those Following a Gluten-Free Diet
For individuals without medical necessity for gluten avoidance, occasional consumption of Crown Royal is unlikely to cause major issues. However, I would not recommend Crown Royal as a go-to gluten free option since safer alternatives exist. Those with gluten sensitivity should exercise particular caution.
Alternatives to Crown Royal
If you require 100% gluten free whisky or want to err on the side of caution, here are some alternative whisky brands to consider instead of Crown Royal:
Glendalough
Glendalough offers gluten free Irish whisky produced at a dedicated gluten free facility. All ingredients and processes are certified gluten free.
Ko’olau
This Hawaiian whisky is produced in a sugar cane distillery that does not process any gluten grains. The founder has celiac disease.
Queen Jennie
Queen Jennie is a Canadian whisky made with 100% corn. It is fermented and distilled at a dedicated gluten-free facility.
Black Fox
Black Fox distillery in the UK makes 100% corn whisky free of wheat, barley, rye and gluten. Their products are certified gluten-free.
The Bottom Line
While Crown Royal does not contain wheat as an intentional ingredient, multiple third party gluten tests have found evidence of gluten traces likely due to cross contamination. Leading celiac organizations do not consider it safe for gluten-free diets. Individuals with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity should exercise caution and opt for a certified gluten-free whisky brand instead of Crown Royal. People without medical necessity for gluten-free may be able to consume it in moderation, but there are safer options.
