Frozen yogurt has become an increasingly popular alternative to ice cream in recent years. Many frozen yogurt shops tout their product as a healthier option, often marketing it as lower in fat and calories than ice cream. For people with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity, a big question is whether frozen yogurt is gluten-free. Here’s a comprehensive look at what ingredients are used in frozen yogurt and whether it contains gluten.
What is frozen yogurt?
Frozen yogurt is a frozen dessert made with yogurt and sometimes other dairy products such as milk and cream. It comes in many flavors, often fruit-based ones like strawberry, blueberry and mango. Frozen yogurt has a similar texture to ice cream, although it’s often a bit thinner or less creamy. The cultures used to make yogurt give it a tart taste that distinguishes it from ice cream.
While regular ice cream has around 10-16% milk fat, frozen yogurt tends to have 0-6% milk fat. It also contains less calories per serving than regular ice cream. Frozen yogurt shops let customers serve themselves from a selection of flavors and add toppings like fruit, candy, cookies and sauces.
Is plain frozen yogurt gluten-free?
Plain frozen yogurt made from just yogurt and no other ingredients is naturally gluten-free. Yogurt is made by fermenting milk with bacteria cultures. No gluten ingredients are added. So plain frozen yogurt base made with yogurt and perhaps some milk, cream or sugar is gluten-free.
Be aware that while the frozen yogurt itself may be gluten-free, there could still be cross-contamination occurring in the shop from shared equipment and toppings. If you have celiac disease or are highly sensitive, plain yogurt with no toppings is the safest bet.
Are flavored frozen yogurts gluten-free?
This is where it gets tricky. While plain frozen yogurt is gluten-free, many frozen yogurt shops also offer flavored varieties. The additional ingredients added for flavors may contain gluten or be cross-contaminated.
Common frozen yogurt flavors include:
- Chocolate – cocoa powder may contain gluten.
- Cookies and cream – cookie pieces likely contain gluten.
- Cake batter – may contain wheat flour.
- Mint chocolate chip – cookies contain gluten.
- Cheesecake – graham cracker crust has gluten.
- Peanut butter – safe, unless cookie pieces are added.
- Fruit flavors – generally gluten-free.
As you can see, many popular frozen yogurt flavors are likely to contain gluten based on ingredients like cookies, cake, and chocolate. Even if the frozen yogurt base itself is gluten-free, the mix-ins and swirls may not be.
What about toppings?
Another issue is that frozen yogurt shops allow customers to add toppings like cereals, candy pieces, cookies, brownies and sauces. Most of these toppings contain gluten.
Some examples of gluten-containing toppings include:
- Oreo crumbles
- Cookies
- Brownies
- Granola
- M&Ms
- Snickers
- Wheat germ
- Hot fudge
Fruit toppings like strawberries, blueberries and pineapples are naturally gluten-free. You can also look for specialty gluten-free toppings made with corn, rice or other gluten-free grains. But the vast majority of toppings should be avoided if you are gluten-free.
Risk of cross-contamination
Even if you stick with plain frozen yogurt with no gluten-containing toppings, there can still be a risk of cross-contamination at a frozen yogurt shop. If the shop uses any equipment or serving bins for gluten-containing flavors or toppings, traces of gluten could get into your “gluten-free” yogurt.
Some ways cross-contamination happens:
- Using the same scoops for multiple flavors or toppings
- Making gluten and gluten-free flavors on same equipment
- Blending flavors in same mixer
- Storing bins near each other
The employees at frozen yogurt shops often don’t receive special training on food allergies and preventing cross-contamination. Unless the shop has clear procedures in place and takes precautions, cross-contamination is likely occurring.
Are leading frozen yogurt brands gluten-free?
Many frozen yogurt shops get their yogurt base from large manufacturers that supply it in bulk. Here’s a look at some of the major frozen yogurt brands and whether they are confirmed to be gluten-free:
| Brand | Gluten-Free Status |
|---|---|
| Yogen Fruz | Not confirmed gluten-free |
| Pinkberry | Plain yogurt is gluten-free |
| Menchie’s | Plain yogurt is gluten-free |
| TCBY | Not confirmed gluten-free |
| Red Mango | Plain yogurt is gluten-free |
As you can see, some major chains like Pinkberry and Red Mango state that their plain frozen yogurt base is gluten-free. However, flavored varieties may not be. And there is still risk of cross-contamination with toppings and equipment in store.
What about ingredients like maltodextrin?
Some frozen yogurts may include ingredients like maltodextrin or enzyme preparations in the base or flavorings. Maltodextrin is sometimes made from wheat and contains gluten. Enzyme preparations can also sometimes be derived from wheat.
If you see maltodextrin on an ingredient list, the manufacturer should be contacted to find out the source. Occasionally, “gluten-free” maltodextrin made from corn, potato or rice starch is used. But this should be specially verified by the manufacturer.
Enzyme preparations are often not specified and require calling the manufacturer. The majority of frozen yogurt brands do not list enzymes, but it is something to watch out for.
Should you trust a “gluten-free” label?
Some frozen yogurts may be labeled “gluten-free” either on the yogurt itself or by the yogurt shops. Can these labels be trusted?
Under U.S. FDA regulations, any product labeled “gluten-free” must contain less than 20 parts per million of gluten. So a “gluten-free” labeled frozen yogurt should meet this criteria.
However, the label itself does not ensure the yogurt is safe for celiacs. Cross-contamination is still possible if the shop scoops multiple flavors using the same tools and shares equipment. Also, some shops may use “gluten-free” loosely without adhering to the FDA definitions.
So if you see a “gluten-free” label on frozen yogurt, it provides some assurance but does not guarantee the product will be safe for those highly sensitive. Proper procedures to prevent cross-contamination are still important.
Can toppings be made gluten-free?
One strategy some frozen yogurt shops use to cater to gluten-free customers is offering some gluten-free toppings. This requires bringing in products that are certified gluten-free.
Some examples of gluten-free toppings that may be available include:
- Fresh fruit like strawberries, blueberries, pineapple
- Gluten-free granola
- Gluten-free brownies or cookies
- Gluten-free chocolate chips
- Gluten-free peanut butter or chocolate syrup
Shops may keep these gluten-free toppings in separate areas or containers to avoid contamination. But scoops and other areas would still need thorough cleaning to prevent CC. Having some gluten-free options helps, but oversight is key.
Are there any gluten-free certifications?
There are a few gluten-free certifications that shops can obtain to provide assurance about their procedures. These include:
- Gluten Intolerance Group Gluten-Free Certification – audits facilities for proper training, procedures and requirements to avoid CC
- Celiac Support Association Recognition Seal – indicates the shop offers gluten-free options and follows best practices
- Gluten-Free Certification Program – training program for restaurants on gluten-free prep
Look for these certifications before choosing a frozen yogurt shop for the best assurance. Certifications require extensive auditing and staff training.
Should people with celiac disease eat frozen yogurt?
For those with celiac disease and high sensitivity to gluten, the risk of cross-contamination may make frozen yogurt an unsafe choice. Traces of gluten can trigger symptoms and intestinal damage.
The toppings, flavors and potential for cross-contamination make it difficult to guarantee frozen yogurt is 100% gluten-free. Even small amounts of contamination can cause issues.
For people with celiac, there are safer choices like ice cream from a gluten-free brand, or making homemade frozen yogurt using a known gluten-free yogurt.
Is frozen yogurt safe for gluten sensitivity?
Those with gluten sensitivity or intolerance may be able to tolerate small amounts of cross-contamination. Plain frozen yogurt with no toppings has a lower risk profile.
Look for shops with strict procedures to avoid cross-contamination. Call ahead to ask about their training, allergen protocols and how they clean equipment and tools.
Those with milder gluten sensitivity can often tolerate small amounts of cross-contamination. But it’s still best to choose shops taking strong precautions when possible.
Tips for eating frozen yogurt gluten-free
If you want to eat frozen yogurt gluten-free, here are some tips to help you choose safe options:
- Call the shop ahead to ask about menu, ingredients and precautions
- Opt for plain frozen yogurt with no toppings
- Look for gluten-free flavors if available
- Avoid cookie, cake and chocolate flavors
- Ask for yogurt from a fresh container to avoid cross-contamination
- Look for gluten-free topping options or bring your own
- Check if the shop has a gluten-free certification
Being careful about flavors and toppings and verifying the precautions taken by the shop can help make frozen yogurt a safer gluten-free option.
Should you make your own frozen yogurt?
For a completely gluten-free frozen yogurt, your best option is to make your own at home. This avoids any uncertainty about ingredients or cross-contamination.
All you need is:
- Plain gluten-free yogurt
- Milk, cream orHalf & half
- Fruit like strawberries or blueberries
- Sugar or other sweeteners
- Vanilla or other gluten-free flavors
Mix together yogurt, milk or cream, fruit, sweetener and any gluten-free flavors. Pour into an ice cream maker or freezer safe dish. Freeze for a few hours until solid. Add your own gluten-free toppings and enjoy!
Making your own lets you control the entire process and ingredients. You can feel confident your frozen yogurt is 100% gluten-free and safe.
The bottom line
Plain frozen yogurt made from just yogurt has no gluten ingredients. But flavorings, toppings and the potential for cross-contamination make gluten a concern at frozen yogurt shops.
Celiacs and those highly sensitive should use caution and likely avoid frozen yogurt unless it is certified gluten-free. Others with gluten sensitivity can look for shops using dedicated equipment and strict precautions.
When in doubt, make your own frozen yogurt at home using gluten-free ingredients for a safe dessert option!
