Domino’s Pizza is one of the largest pizza chains in the world. With thousands of locations across the globe, Domino’s offers a variety of pizza options to satisfy different tastes and dietary needs. One common question from customers is whether Domino’s pizza is gluten free.
Is Domino’s pizza gluten free? The short answer is no, Domino’s standard pizzas are not gluten free. However, Domino’s does offer gluten free crust as an option for an additional charge.
For those with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity, cross-contamination is a major concern. Domino’s takes precautions to avoid cross-contamination, but there is still a risk involved. Ultimately, those with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity should use caution when ordering from Domino’s.
In this article, we’ll take a deeper look at:
- The gluten free crust option at Domino’s
- Risk of cross-contamination
- What the company says about gluten free
- Reviews of Domino’s gluten free crust
- How to order gluten free from Domino’s
- Better gluten free pizza options
Let’s start by understanding exactly what gluten is and why it’s a concern for many pizza lovers.
What is Gluten?
Gluten is a general name for the proteins found in wheat, rye, barley and triticale. It acts as a glue that helps food maintain its shape and texture. For those with celiac disease or non-celiac gluten sensitivity, even small amounts of gluten can cause issues.
Celiac disease is an autoimmune disorder that causes damage to the small intestine when gluten is ingested. Non-celiac gluten sensitivity means a person experiences uncomfortable symptoms after eating gluten, but does not test positive for celiac disease.
According to BeyondCeliac.org, celiac disease affects 1 in 100 people worldwide. Non-celiac gluten sensitivity may affect up to 6-8% of the population. Clearly, there is a substantial number of people who need to avoid gluten.
For people with celiac disease or NCGS, eating gluten triggers an immune response in the body and causes a variety of symptoms:
- Diarrhea
- Abdominal pain
- Bloating
- Gas
- Constipation
- Headaches
- Fatigue
- Skin rash
Over time, eating gluten can lead to damage in the small intestines along with malnutrition and related complications.
Following a strict lifelong gluten free diet is the only treatment for celiac disease and NCGS. This means reading ingredient labels carefully and avoiding cross-contaminated foods.
For pizza lovers, finding gluten free options that are also delicious can be a challenge. Let’s look at what Domino’s offers.
Domino’s Gluten Free Crust
Domino’s does not claim their regular pizza crust is gluten free. However, they do offer a gluten free crust option. Here are the details:
- The gluten free crust is made with a blend of rice flour, sorghum flour, tapioca starch, water, olive oil, sugar, gluten free oats, baking powder, and eggs.
- It is prepared in a common kitchen alongside regular wheat crust pizzas. Domino’s relies on procedures to avoid cross-contamination, but there is still a risk involved.
- The gluten free crust must be ordered with gluten free sauce. Regular sauce contains wheat.
- Only certain toppings are gluten free. When ordering, customers should confirm toppings are GF.
- The gluten free crust costs an additional $2-$3 compared to a standard pizza.
The exact preparation may vary slightly across different countries and regions. But in general, the gluten free crust is made without wheat, rye, or barley – the main sources of gluten.
Domino’s recommends the crust for those looking to avoid gluten due to celiac disease, gluten intolerance or sensitivity. However, they do not guarantee the pizzas are 100% gluten free.
Risk of Cross-Contamination
Even if ingredients themselves are gluten free, cross-contamination is a concern in facilities that also handle gluten-containing foods. Domino’s uses shared kitchens and equipment to prepare both standard and gluten free pizzas.
To reduce cross-contamination, Domino’s says they follow procedures such as:
- Using dedicated gluten free dough trays
- Changing gloves before preparing gluten free pizzas
- Using separate cutters and sauce ladles for GF pizzas
- Training staff on gluten free processes
- Designating preparation areas in the kitchen for GF pizzas
However, their disclaimer states they do not have separate ovens or separate work spaces for gluten free pizzas. Flour particles could spread through the air or get transferred by staff inadvertently.
Those with celiac disease or NCGS know even small traces of gluten can cause a reaction. The existing procedures may not be sufficient to prevent all cross-contamination.
What Domino’s Says About Gluten Free
On their website, Domino’s states:
“Domino’s® USA does NOT recommend this pizza for customers with celiac disease. Customers with gluten sensitivities should exercise judgment in consuming this pizza.”
They go on to explain that the pizzas are prepared in shared facilities and there is a risk of cross-contact with wheat gluten from other pizzas.
Domino’s is transparent about the fact that they cannot guarantee a 100% gluten free product. They put the responsibility on the customer to determine if the GF pizza meets their personal dietary needs.
Some key takeaways from Domino’s gluten free information:
- They cannot ensure the pizzas did not come in contact with gluten during preparation or cooking.
- Employees are trained on gluten free procedures, but some human error may occur.
- Local ingredients suppliers and recipes vary across different regions.
- Customers should confirm gluten free status of toppings and other menu items when ordering.
Domino’s concludes that customers with celiac disease or gluten sensitivities should use their own judgment on whether to consume the pizza. They recommend checking with a healthcare provider if unsure.
Reviews of Domino’s Gluten Free Crust
Customer experiences with Domino’s gluten free crust seem mixed. Here are some reviews from around the web:
Positive Reviews
- “I have celiac disease and have ordered the GF crust several times. I love that Dominos offers this and have never had issues after eating it.”
- “Tastes just like regular pizza crust! My son has Celiac’s and it’s so nice for him to be able to enjoy pizza with the rest of the family.”
- “I’m highly sensitive to cross-contamination and have ordered the GF crust several times with no problems. It tastes great and can’t tell the difference.”
Negative Reviews
- “Within hours of eating the GF crust pizza I became extremely ill. It definitely contained gluten in some way.”
- “The crust was good but was extremely ill afterwards. They likely didn’t follow proper protocols to avoid cross-contamination.”
- “Tastes okay but not worth the risk if you have celiac disease. I won’t order it again since reactions can be so severe.”
It seems results can vary quite a bit depending on the specific location, staff training and how sensitive an individual is to gluten. Some have success and enjoy being able to order pizza from a large chain. Others clearly react and do not feel the precautions are adequate.
How to Order Gluten Free Pizza from Domino’s
If you decide to give their gluten free pizza a try, here are some tips for ordering:
- Mention you need the GF crust and GF sauce as soon as you order. Verify they have it available.
- Confirm that the toppings you want are GF. Watch out for crumbles of wheat-based meats.
- Request that they change gloves, use new cutters, etc for your pizza.
- Ask that they prepare your GF pizza first before others to avoid cross-contamination.
- Pick it up rather than delivery to control how it’s handled.
Be aware that procedures may vary across locations. Not all staff may be knowledgeable about gluten free processes. Policies likely differ in corporate vs franchise stores. Confirming gf status when ordering and watching prep if possible is wise.
Some with celiac disease or NCGS choose to avoid the uncertainty of Domino’s. But the steps above can help minimize any risk if you want to give it a try.
Better Gluten Free Pizza Options
While Domino’s provides a widespread gluten free choice, there are even better options for celiac and gluten free diets. Here are some to consider:
Local GF Pizzerias
Many cities now have dedicated gluten free pizza restaurants. These cater specifically to gluten free and celiac diners. They often use completely separate ovens and space to prepare pizzas without any gluten.
Caulipower or Udi’s GF Crusts
GF brands like Caulipower and Udi’s make packaged pizza crusts you can use at home. They contain trusted gluten free ingredients and you control the entire process.
Regional GF Pizza Chains
Some regional pizza chains like Blaze Pizza, PizzaRev, or Mellow Mushroom offer gluten free crusts and toppings. They may have better training and procedures than a nationwide chain.
Meal Delivery Kits
Services like Factor_ provide fully prepared GF meals. Their pizza kits come with dough, sauce, and toppings to assemble gluten free pizzas right at home.
While less convenient, these options give more confidence for those with celiac disease or gluten issues. Going with a trusted gluten free restaurant or brand reduces the cross-contamination risks.
The Verdict
In summary, here’s the bottom line on Domino’s gluten free pizza:
- Domino’s does not claim their regular pizzas are gluten free.
- They offer a gluten free crust made without wheat, rye or barley.
- The GF crust costs $2-$3 more than the standard crust.
- Domino’s uses shared kitchens and equipment for GF and regular pizzas.
- They follow procedures to reduce cross-contamination but cannot guarantee a GF crust.
- Those with celiac disease or NCGS are advised to use caution when consuming.
- Reviews are mixed – some have success while others react to gluten.
In the end, Domino’s provides an option for those seeking gluten free pizza but makes no guarantees it is 100% gluten free. Individuals need to weigh the risks based on their sensitivity. For maximum safety, other gluten free choices exist.
The Bottom Line
Domino’s standard pizza contains gluten and is not safe for those with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity. Their gluten free crust aims to provide an option, but cross-contamination is still a risk.
Those with celiac disease or NCGS need to use judgment when deciding whether to consume Domino’s GF pizza. For maximum safety, other dedicated gluten free pizza restaurants and brands may be a better choice.
But Domino’s does merit credit for attempting to meet the needs of gluten free customers in a convenience-focused way. As gluten free diets become more mainstream, perhaps their procedures will continue improving.
At the end of the day, individuals with gluten issues need to become informed, ask questions, and use common sense. Being your own best advocate is key to balancing occasional pizza enjoyment with health and safety.
