Gluten-free diets have become increasingly popular in recent years, with more and more people opting to avoid gluten for medical reasons or simply as a lifestyle choice. For those who need or want to eat gluten-free, identifying safe, gluten-free options at the grocery store can be challenging. One commonly questioned item is queso blanco, a fresh white Mexican-style cheese often used in Tex-Mex cuisine. This article provides a thorough investigation into whether or not Food Lion’s store brand queso blanco contains gluten and is safe for gluten-free diets.
What is Queso Blanco?
Queso blanco, Spanish for “white cheese,” is a creamy, mild cheese originally from Mexico. It has a crumbly, moist texture and melts smoothly when heated. Queso blanco is frequently used in dishes like quesadillas, nachos, tacos, and dips. It is unaged and made from cow’s milk that has been curdled with an acid like vinegar or lemon juice. Unlike many other cheeses, queso blanco contains no salt. It has a fresh, mild, and slightly tangy flavor.
Some key facts about queso blanco:
– Unaged, fresh white cheese made from cow’s milk
– Smooth, creamy texture when melted
– Salty flavor ranging from mild to tangy
– Crumbles easily when cold
– Melts well, making it perfect for dishes like quesadillas
– Often used in Tex-Mex and Mexican cuisine
– Contains no added salt unlike many other cheeses
Understanding Gluten
Before investigating whether a food contains gluten, it is important to understand what exactly gluten is. Gluten is a general name for the proteins found in wheat, rye, barley, and other closely related cereal grains. The two main proteins that make up gluten are gliadin and glutenin. When flour and water are mixed together and kneaded to form dough, these two proteins bind together and create elastic strands that allow bread and other baked goods to rise and maintain their shape.
For most people, gluten poses no health concerns. However, for those with celiac disease or non-celiac gluten sensitivity, consuming gluten can trigger a negative autoimmune response that damages the small intestine. This can cause gastrointestinal symptoms like diarrhea, bloating, and abdominal pain as well as issues like headache, fatigue, joint pain, and eczema. The only treatment for celiac disease is sticking to a strict lifelong gluten-free diet.
Gluten is found in many bread and baked products, as well as pastas, cereals, beers, and other foods that contain wheat, rye, barley, and related grains. Oats are inherently gluten-free but are often cross-contaminated with gluten during growing and processing. For gluten-free living, it is important to identify foods that naturally contain gluten and watch out for cross-contamination.
Is Dairy Naturally Gluten-Free?
When evaluating whether a food contains gluten, it is helpful to understand which food groups and ingredients are naturally gluten-free. Dairy products, including milk, cheese, yogurt, and cream, are derived from the milk of cows, goats, sheep, and other mammals. They do not naturally contain any gluten proteins from grains. Cheese is produced through the coagulation of dairy milk using enzymes or acids to separate the liquid milk into curds and whey. As long as no gluten-containing additives or ingredients are introduced during processing, authentic dairy cheeses will be gluten-free.
There are a few exceptions to note:
– Flavored dairy products may contain added ingredients that contain gluten, like wheat germ or malt extract. Always check the label.
– Some blue cheeses may be cross-contaminated with bread or beer during the cultivation process for the Penicillium mold. Stick to reputable gluten-free brands.
– Dairy substitutes like almond or soy milk are often processed on equipment shared with gluten grains and may be cross-contaminated. Opt for certified brands.
As long as you are choosing real dairy cheese made from animal milk, you can be confident it will not naturally contain any gluten.
Assessing Food Lion Queso Blanco
Food Lion is a popular grocery store chain found primarily on the U.S. East Coast. The store offers its own branded line of products under the Food Lion label at an affordable price point. When purchasing any gluten-free food, especially at large chain stores using shared equipment, it is always advisable to thoroughly read the label each time before eating.
Upon inspection, Food Lion’s queso blanco contains just three simple ingredients: pasteurized milk, salt, and enzymes. The pasteurized milk and enzymes are naturally gluten-free. The salt may seem innocuous, but salt can actually be a hidden source of gluten cross-contamination if it contains additives like wheat flour to prevent caking. According to Food Lion’s website, however, their salt contains just one ingredient: salt. Therefore, Food Lion’s store brand queso blanco contains no inherently gluten-containing ingredients.
It is also helpful to look for any allergen warnings on the packaging. Food Lion clearly states “Contains: Milk” under the ingredients list with no mention of wheat, barley, rye or other gluten sources. This is another good sign the product is gluten-free.
Evaluating Risk of Cross-Contamination
When a food contains naturally gluten-free ingredients, the next step is assessing the risk of cross-contamination during processing and handling. Cross-contamination occurs when a gluten-free food comes into contact with a food containing gluten, and minute amounts become mixed in. This often happens on shared equipment or in facilities that also handle gluten-containing foods.
Because cheese is a fresh dairy product, cross-contamination is less likely compared to processed foods with multiple ingredients. The pasteurized cow’s milk, enzymes and salt used to produce queso blanco do not typically pose high risks. Food Lion’s website also states that allergen control procedures are in place in their facilities to mitigate cross-contamination.
That said, patrons with celiac disease or severe gluten sensitivity may want to exercise extra caution when purchasing any product made in a facility with shared equipment. For maximum safety, choose queso blanco and other dairy products that are certified gluten-free from dedicated facilities. Overall, the risk of gluten cross-contamination appears low but not non-existent for Food Lion’s queso blanco.
Contacting the Manufacturer
When in doubt about an ingredient list, it can be helpful to go straight to the source and contact the manufacturer. Food Lion has a 1-800 number and customer service line to answer consumer questions and concerns regarding their products and ingredients.
When contacted, Food Lion consumer affairs provided the following helpful information about their queso blanco:
– It is made in a facility that also processes other dairy items containing gluten like wheat germ.
– All equipment and areas are thoroughly cleaned between production runs, but there is a chance of cross-contamination.
– They cannot guarantee the queso blanco is 100% gluten-free for patrons with celiac disease or an allergy.
This insight reinforces that some risk of cross-contamination exists when products are made in shared facilities. Those with celiac disease or wheat allergy should exercise caution with Food Lion queso blanco.
Checking Third-Party Gluten-Free Databases
Another helpful tool when researching gluten-free brands is searching the product in third-party gluten-free food databases. Helpful food lists include:
– GlutenFreeWatchDog.org
– Celiac.com
– Gluten.net
These databases allow users to search by product name for gluten-free status and information provided directly from manufacturers. According to user reports on these sites, Food Lion queso blanco has returned conflicting results:
– Some customers report safely eating it with no issues for years.
– Others have checked with the company and report being informed the product could be cross-contaminated.
This aligns with the variability encountered depending on which customer service agent you speak with and reinforces the need to verify internally for your own dietary needs.
Should You Eat Food Lion Queso Blanco on a Gluten-Free Diet?
In summary, here are some key considerations when deciding if Food Lion’s store brand queso blanco is safe to eat on a gluten-free diet:
– The ingredient list itself is gluten-free.
– Food Lion states allergen control procedures are in place.
– It is made on shared equipment with wheat-based products.
– The company cannot guarantee it is 100% gluten-free.
– Consumer experiences vary based on who they spoke with.
This means the product inherently contains no gluten but has potential for cross-contact at unsafe levels for those highly sensitive.
If you have celiac disease or a wheat allergy, it is likely safest to avoid Food Lion’s queso blanco due to the warnings of potential cross-contamination from the manufacturer. Those with minor gluten sensitivity can likely eat it, but should exercise caution and watch for symptoms when consuming. Consult your doctor if uncertain based on your individual health needs and sensitivity. For maximum safety when following a gluten-free diet, opt for cheeses and dairy products that are certified gluten-free from dedicated facilities.
Finding Alternate Gluten-Free Queso Blanco Options
Thankfully, there are a variety of other queso blanco options made in dedicated gluten-free facilities available if Food Lion’s version does not meet your needs:
365 Everyday Value Organic Queso Blanco
– Sold at Whole Foods Market
– Organic pasteurized milk, cultures, enzymes
– Produced in a certified gluten-free facility
Cacique Ranchero Queso Blanco
– Sold at many major grocery chains
– Pasteurized milk, culture, salt, enzyme
– Produced in a facility free of gluten ingredients
Green Valley Creamery Queso Blanco
– Sold at natural grocers like Sprouts
– Made from pasteurized cow’s milk
– Produced in a certified gluten-free facility
There are clearly several reputable queso blanco options to suit a gluten-free diet. Check the labels and contact brands directly if ever unsure about ingredients or manufacturing practices.
Tips for Following a Gluten-Free Diet
Here are some helpful general tips when grocery shopping and eating gluten-free:
– Get to know which grains and flours contain gluten. Key offenders are wheat, rye, barley and malt.
– Carefully read ingredient labels each time you shop. Manufacturing can change.
– Look for “gluten-free” stamped on packaging and avoid any cross-contamination warnings.
– If uncertain, contact the manufacturer directly to ask about gluten-free status.
– Opt for brands produced in dedicated gluten-free facilities when possible.
– Choose fresh, whole foods that are naturally gluten-free like produce, eggs, meat, fish, rice, fruits, vegetables, and dairy.
– Be cautious when eating out at restaurants and clarify gluten-free needs with staff.
– Get support from gluten-free community resources, blogs and dietitians.
Following a gluten-free diet can seem daunting at first, but with proper education and vigilance when shopping and eating out, it is possible to find safe, gluten-free foods you can enjoy. Always discuss your diet with a doctor to ensure you are meeting nutritional needs. With some adjustments, those with celiac disease and gluten sensitivity can still enjoy delicious foods like queso blanco cheese.
The Bottom Line
When following a gluten-free diet, it is important to closely investigate the gluten-free status of all foods, especially processed and manufactured items. While Food Lion’s queso blanco cheese contains no inherently gluten-containing ingredients, the manufacturer confirms there is potential for cross-contamination from shared equipment with wheat-based products. Those with celiac disease or wheat allergies should exercise caution and likely avoid consuming this particular brand of queso blanco. However, many other reputable gluten-free queso blanco options exist, produced in dedicated facilities. Careful label reading, third party research, and contacting companies directly can help identify the safest gluten-free foods. With proper precautions, cheese lovers can still enjoy queso blanco on a gluten-free diet.
