Dot’s pretzels are a popular snack food, but for people with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity, it’s important to know if they contain gluten. Gluten is a protein found in wheat, barley, and rye that some people cannot tolerate. For people who must follow a strict gluten-free diet, checking labels and ingredients is key. So, are Dot’s pretzels gluten-free? Let’s take a closer look.
What is gluten?
Gluten is a general name for the proteins found in wheat, rye, and barley. It helps give elasticity to dough, helping it keep its shape. It gives a chewy texture to products like breads, baked goods, cereals, pastas, etc. Gluten is found not only in obvious bread and baked goods, but can be used as an additive or flavoring in things like salad dressings, soups, sauces, candies, etc. People with celiac disease or non-celiac gluten sensitivity cannot tolerate gluten and experience digestive symptoms, damage to the small intestine, and other problems when they eat it. That’s why it’s important for them to follow a strict 100% gluten-free diet.
Celiac disease and gluten sensitivity
Celiac disease is an autoimmune disorder that causes damage to the small intestine when gluten is eaten. Even small amounts of gluten can trigger a reaction. In celiac disease, the body mounts an immune response to gluten that attacks the small intestine. This can lead to damage of the villi, which are the small finger-like projections in the small intestine that absorb nutrients. Symptoms of celiac disease may include:
- Diarrhea
- Abdominal pain
- Bloating
- Gas
- Constipation
- Fatigue
- Unexplained weight loss
Non-celiac gluten sensitivity (NCGS) is a condition where people experience digestive and other symptoms after eating gluten, but they do not have celiac disease. The symptoms are similar to celiac disease, but the immune system and small intestine are not damaged. People with NCGS may experience issues like:
- Bloating
- Diarrhea
- Abdominal discomfort
- Headaches
- Fatigue
- Brain fog
The only treatment for both celiac disease and NCGS is strictly following a gluten-free diet by avoiding all foods and products containing wheat, rye, and barley.
What makes a food gluten-free?
For a food to be considered gluten-free, it must contain less than 20 parts per million (ppm) of gluten. This is the threshold that has been determined to be safe for most people with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity. Gluten-free foods include:
- Natural whole foods like fruits, vegetables, meats, fish, eggs, beans, nuts, seeds
- Gluten-free grains like rice, quinoa, corn, millet, buckwheat
- Certified gluten-free oats and oat products
- Products labeled “gluten-free” that do not contain wheat, barley, or rye
Foods to avoid on a gluten-free diet include:
- Breads
- Pasta
- Cereal
- Beer
- Cakes, cookies, muffins, donuts
- Croutons
- Soy sauce
- Salad dressings, sauces, gravies
- Seasoned rice mixes
- Imitation meats
When checking labels, ingredients like wheat, barley, rye, malt, and brewer’s yeast indicate the presence of gluten. Oats are naturally gluten-free but are often contaminated, so ensure any oat products are certified gluten-free if following a strict diet.
Are Dot’s Pretzels gluten-free?
After carefully reviewing the ingredients and manufacturing information, Dot’s Pretzels are not gluten-free. Here’s an overview:
- Dot’s Pretzels list wheat flour as their first ingredient
- They are made in facilities that also process wheat/gluten products
- The brand does not claim to be gluten-free or make accommodations for gluten-free diets
- There is risk of cross-contamination from gluten-containing ingredients
Since Dot’s Pretzels contain wheat flour, they are not safe for a gluten-free diet. Even tiny amounts of gluten from cross-contamination can cause issues for those with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity. Wheat flour will provide a significant amount of gluten to these products.
Ingredient list
Upon inspecting the ingredients on a bag of Original Dot’s Homestyle Pretzels, the first ingredient listed is enriched wheat flour. This immediately indicates the pretzels contain gluten and are not gluten-free. The full ingredient list is:
- Enriched wheat flour (flour, niacin, reduced iron, thiamine mononitrate, riboflavin, folic acid)
- Soybean oil
- Salt
- Yeast
- Water
- Corn syrup
- Dough conditioners (may contain one or more of the following: mono and diglycerides, calcium sulfate, calcium carbonate, calcium stearoyl lactylate, calcium iodate)
- Caustic solution
- Baking soda
With wheat flour being predominant, Dot’s Pretzels contain significant gluten and are not safe for those avoiding gluten.
Manufacturing process
Dot’s Pretzels are made in facilities that also process gluten-containing ingredients like wheat. Even if a product does not contain gluten ingredients itself, cross-contamination can occur if it’s made alongside gluten products.
According to Dot’s Pretzels:
“Our pretzels are created in facilities that manufacture products containing wheat, milk, egg, soybean, peanuts, tree nuts and fish allergens.”
They do not make any claim that their facilities or equipment are gluten-free. This means there is a high risk of gluten cross-contamination through shared equipment, airborne wheat dust, etc. Trace amounts could get into the pretzels during manufacturing and storage. This makes them unsuitable for a strict gluten-free diet.
No gluten-free labeling
Dot’s Pretzels do not label their products as gluten-free or market them as a gluten-free option. Reputable brands that produce gluten-free foods will clearly advertise this on their packaging. They also implement strict protocols in facilities to avoid cross-contamination.
The lack of any gluten-free indication on Dot’s Pretzels packaging suggests the brand is not catering to gluten-free consumers. Their products likely contain gluten from wheat flour and also risk of cross-contact. Those with celiac disease or NCGS cannot assume these pretzels are safe.
Risk of gluten cross-contact
Because Dot’s Pretzels contain wheat flour and do not control for gluten cross-contamination in production, there is significant risk:
- Shared equipment – Machinery used for wheat flour pretzels may also be used for gluten-free products, leading to carry-over of gluten
- Airborne wheat particles – Gluten can become airborne in facilities that handle wheat and contaminate surfaces and products
- Processing aids – Items like conveyor belts may be used for both gluten and gluten-free items
- Shared storage – Gluten and gluten-free finished products stored together risk cross-contact
Even tiny amounts of gluten under 20ppm can trigger issues in those with celiac disease or gluten intolerance. Dot’s Pretzels would need dedicated gluten-free facilities and stringent protocols to avoid any cross-contamination. This level of control is not in place based on available information.
How to enjoy pretzels on a gluten-free diet
While Dot’s brand pretzels are off-limits for gluten-free diets, there are some good alternatives:
- Seek out brands of pretzels certified gluten-free, like Glutino or Snyders of Hanover Gluten-Free Pretzels
- Check health food stores for other gluten-free pretzel brands
- Make homemade gluten-free pretzels with flours like brown rice flour, tapioca starch, etc.
- Substitute gluten-free pretzel crisps or mini rice cakes to dip in hummus, nut butters, etc. for a similar crunch
- Use raw vegetables like carrots or celery sticks for dipping instead of pretzels
With so many gluten-free snacks available today including pretzels, people avoiding gluten don’t have to miss out. Being diligent about label reading and source of manufacturing is key to stay safe. Dot’s Pretzels may be a classic brand, but they are not safe for gluten-free diets. Thankfully there are more and more delicious gluten-free pretzels hitting store shelves!
The bottom line
Dot’s Pretzels contain wheat flour as a primary ingredient and are manufactured in facilities at risk for gluten cross-contamination. For those with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity, Dot’s Pretzels are not gluten-free and should be avoided. While giving up old favorites can be difficult at first when transitioning to a gluten-free diet, being diligent about reading labels and finding safe alternatives helps. Today there are many great gluten-free pretzel options to keep enjoying this classic snack safely!
