For people with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity, following a strict gluten-free diet is essential. This means avoiding foods containing wheat, barley, and rye. With the rise in popularity of plant-based meat alternatives like the Impossible Burger, those with celiac disease may wonder if these products are safe to eat.
The Impossible Burger is a meatless burger made from plants. It looks, tastes, and cooks like real ground beef. The key ingredient in the Impossible Burger is soy protein concentrate. This gives it the meaty texture that mimics beef. Other ingredients include coconut oil, sunflower oil, natural flavors, yeast extract, cultured dextrose, food starch modified, soy protein isolate, vitamins and minerals.
So is the Impossible Burger actually gluten-free and safe for people with celiac disease? Let’s take a detailed look at the ingredients and manufacturing process.
Examining the Ingredients
According to Impossible Foods, their core burger contains the following main ingredients:
- Water
- Soy Protein Concentrate
- Coconut Oil
- Sunflower Oil
- Natural Flavors
- 2% or less of: Potato Protein, Methylcellulose, Yeast Extract, Cultured Dextrose, Food Starch Modified, Soy Protein Isolate, Mixed Tocopherols, Soybean Oil, Vitamins and Minerals.
None of these ingredients contains gluten. Soy, coconut, and sunflower are naturally gluten-free. The vitamins and minerals added are also free of gluten.
However, we need to take a closer look at some of the more vague ingredients:
Yeast Extract
Yeast extract is added for umami flavor. There are some types of yeast that contain gluten. But Impossible Foods uses baker’s yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) which does not contain gluten.
Natural Flavors
Natural flavors can be a source of hidden gluten. Flavorings are considered proprietary and the exact ingredients do not have to be disclosed. Impossible Foods states that their natural flavors are gluten-free.
Cultured Dextrose
Cultured dextrose is added to provide a meaty flavor. The cultures used are non-wheat based and gluten-free.
Based on the available information from Impossible Foods, all the ingredients appear to be gluten-free. But it’s always a good idea to verify with the manufacturer if you have concerns about cross-contamination.
Risk of Cross-Contamination
In addition to ingredients, cross-contamination is another potential source of gluten exposure. This can occur if a gluten-containing food comes into contact with a gluten-free food during processing, cooking, or serving.
Here are some key points about potential cross-contamination of Impossible Burger products:
- The Impossible Burger is produced in a facility that also processes wheat and soy. However, Impossible Foods states that wheat is only processed in one isolated area of the facility.
- Other Impossible Foods products like sausage and ground “beef” are produced on shared equipment that processes milk, fish, crustacean shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat and soybeans. The company reports that allergen cleaning procedures are implemented between product runs.
- Restaurants that serve Impossible Burgers cook them on shared grills and cooktops. There is risk of cross-contact with buns or other gluten-containing ingredients.
- At grocery stores, Impossible Burger may be stocked in the meat case near gluten-containing products.
So while Impossible Foods states that their products are gluten-free, the potential for cross-contamination exists, especially in restaurant settings.
Certification and Testing
Impossible Foods products are not certified gluten-free. The company states:
“While our products do not contain gluten from ingredients, they are produced in a shared facility and we cannot guarantee they are 100% free of gluten molecules. We therefore cannot label any of our products as gluten-free.”
Without third-party gluten-free certification, there is some uncertainty. Impossible Foods does do internal testing of their products for gluten. They report testing results below 20 ppm (parts per million), the cutoff for gluten-free labeling in the US. However, independent testing has not confirmed these results.
Table of Gluten Test Results
| Product | Gluten Test Result (ppm) |
|---|---|
| Impossible Burger 1.0 | Below 20 ppm |
| Impossible Burger 2.0 | Below 20 ppm |
| Impossible Sausage | Below 20 ppm |
| Impossible Pork | Below 20 ppm |
While these results suggest the products contain very low levels of gluten, independent verification is needed to confirm Impossible Foods’ in-house testing.
Anecdotal Reports
In the absence of third-party certification and verification, many people rely on anecdotal reports from other gluten-sensitive individuals. Here is a sample of feedback on the gluten-free status of Impossible Burger:
- “I’ve eaten Impossible burgers multiple times with no issues.”
- “I’ve been strictly gluten-free for years and Impossible products don’t give me any reaction.”
- “I have celiac disease and get sick if I ingest even tiny amounts of gluten. Unfortunately Impossible Burger made me ill.”
- “My daughter has celiac disease and got a stomachache and headache after eating an Impossible burger at a restaurant.”
- “I have gluten ataxia and have safely eaten Impossible meat at home but won’t eat it at restaurants because of cross-contamination.”
Reactions seem to be mixed. Some report tolerating Impossible Burger well while others have adverse reactions. Individual sensitivity levels vary quite a bit. Those who are highly sensitive may not tolerate Impossible Burger due to potential cross-contamination.
Are Alternatives Like Beyond Burger Safer?
How does Impossible Burger compare to other meatless burgers in terms of gluten content? The two major competitors are Beyond Burger and Beyond Sausage.
Beyond Meat products are also not certified gluten-free. The company states their products may contain trace amounts of gluten. However, Beyond does label some products as “produced in a facility that processes wheat & soy”. This suggests a lower risk compared to Impossible.
Anecdotal reports from gluten-sensitive consumers suggest Beyond Burgers may be less likely to cause adverse reactions compared to Impossible. But there are still some mixed experiences. As with Impossible, individuals with celiac disease or severe gluten sensitivity may still react to potential cross-contact with gluten.
Here is a comparison table of key differences that may influence gluten risk:
| Impossible Burger | Beyond Burger | |
|---|---|---|
| Ingredients gluten-free | Yes | Yes |
| Produced on shared equipment with gluten | Yes | No |
| Free of wheat/gluten ingredients | No | Yes |
| Gluten-free certified | No | No |
| Labeling | “Made in a facility that processes wheat” | “Produced in a facility that processes wheat & soy” |
Based on this, Beyond Burger may present a lower risk of gluten cross-contact. However, both Impossible and Beyond lack third-party gluten-free certification. For those highly sensitive, even Beyond Burgers may pose some degree of risk.
Tips for Safely Eating Impossible Burgers
Here are some tips for those with celiac disease or non-celiac gluten sensitivity who want to try Impossible Burger:
Verify with the restaurant
If dining out, check with the restaurant in advance about their prep and cooking procedures. Ensure separate cookware is used to prevent cross-contact.
Avoid buns and other sources of gluten
Do not pair the Impossible Burger with a bun or other gluten-containing items. Stick to gluten-free sides.
Try an Impossible Burger at home first
Cooking Impossible Burgers at home carries less risk than eating out. You can control the environment and prevent cross-contamination.
Start with a small amount
When first trying an Impossible Burger, only eat a small portion in case you react. Around 1-2 ounces would be a reasonable test amount.
Check how you feel afterwards
Monitor symptoms for 1-2 days after eating an Impossible Burger. If you don’t notice any issues, you are likely fine with occasional consumption.
Have gluten-free alternatives on hand
If you do react to Impossible Burger, have substitute meals ready to eat until symptoms resolve.
Taking these precautions can help minimize the risk of an accidental exposure. Listen to your body and avoid eating more Impossible Burger if you have any doubts.
Is Impossible Burger Healthy for Celiacs?
Aside from gluten content, what are some other health factors to consider for those with celiac disease?
Nutrition profile
The Impossible Burger offers similar protein compared to beef with less saturated fat. It provides nutrients like iron, fiber, and certain vitamins and minerals.
Potential allergens
Those with multiple food allergies should be aware the Impossible Burger contains soy, an allergenic food for some people.
Heme iron
The soy plants used to make Impossible Burger are genetically engineered to produce heme iron, the same type found in animal meat. While this mimics the taste and texture of real beef, there are some health concerns around heme iron intake.
Fibromyalgia triggers
Some report the yeast extract and yeast culture in Impossible Burger may exacerbate fibromyalgia symptoms. Individual sensitivity varies.
Soy concerns
There are some controversies around soybean crops being genetically modified and whether the phytoestrogens in soy impact hormone levels. The verdict is still out on these issues.
Overall the Impossible Burger can fit into a balanced gluten-free diet, but those with sensitivities or allergies to certain ingredients may wish to exercise caution.
Conclusion
The Impossible Burger is designed to mimic ground beef with a plant-based formula. The ingredients as listed are all gluten-free. However, due to manufacturing processes, there is a risk of trace gluten. The levels may be below the 20 ppm cutoff, but many with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity react even to very small amounts.
Impossible Foods acknowledges their products may contain traces of gluten due to shared equipment. They do not claim the products are gluten-free or safe for celiacs. Those who are highly sensitive should use caution and may wish to avoid Impossible Burgers, especially when dining out.
In terms of gluten risk, Beyond Meat products may have slightly less potential for cross-contact. But Beyond Burgers are also not certified gluten-free. For celiacs and those with gluten issues, the safest option is to stick to certified gluten-free meat alternatives from brands that specialize in allergen-free foods.
The only way to know for sure if you will react is to try an Impossible Burger in a controlled environment. Start with a small amount and monitor symptoms for a couple days afterwards. This can help determine your individual tolerance level.
While the Impossible Burger aims to provide a meat-free option suitable for all, until gluten cross-contamination is eliminated in production facilities, it will likely remain risky for many in the celiac and gluten-free community.
