Gluten-free diets have become increasingly popular in recent years, with more and more people opting to avoid gluten for medical or lifestyle reasons. For those with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity, eating gluten-free is a necessity, while others simply prefer to avoid gluten. As the demand for gluten-free products has grown, food manufacturers have responded by producing more and more gluten-free options. One popular brand of bread that has jumped on the gluten-free bandwagon is Milton Bread. But is Milton Bread really gluten-free? Let’s take a closer look.
What is gluten?
Gluten is a protein found in grains like wheat, barley, and rye. For most people, gluten does not cause any issues. However, for those with celiac disease or non-celiac gluten sensitivity, gluten triggers an abnormal immune response that damages the small intestine. This can lead to symptoms like abdominal pain, bloating, diarrhea, constipation, vomiting, fatigue, headache, and more. The only treatment for celiac disease or gluten sensitivity is adhering to a strict lifelong gluten-free diet by avoiding all foods and products containing gluten.
Why choose gluten-free?
For those with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity, eating gluten-free is essential to manage their condition. However, many people without gluten-related disorders are also choosing to go gluten-free. Reasons may include:
- Reducing inflammation – Some studies suggest gluten may contribute to chronic inflammation in those without celiac disease.
- Easing digestive issues – Going gluten-free may relieve symptoms like bloating, gas, and diarrhea.
- Increasing energy – Some report having more energy when they remove gluten from their diet.
- Supporting heart health – Gluten-free diets have been associated with improved cholesterol and triglyceride levels.
- Promoting weight loss – Eliminating gluten may aid in weight loss for some people.
- Improving brain health – Early research links gluten intake to conditions like dementia, anxiety, and depression.
Of course, experts warn there is no solid evidence that gluten-free diets provide notable benefits for those without celiac disease or gluten sensitivity. Still, the rising popularity of gluten-free diets reflects a growing public interest in lifestyle and diet approaches for supporting health and wellbeing.
What makes a food product gluten-free?
For a food product to be considered gluten-free, it must meet certain standards:
- It does not contain any type of wheat, rye, barley, or crossbreeds of these grains.
- No ingredients are derived from gluten-containing grains.
- It does not contain gluten levels exceeding 20 parts per million, the maximum threshold considered gluten-free.
- No gluten-containing grains come in contact with the product during manufacturing or preparation.
Essentially, a gluten-free product must be completely free of gluten. Even tiny amounts can trigger issues for those with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity. This makes checking labels very important when purchasing gluten-free foods.
What is Milton Bread?
Milton Bread is a brand of bread products owned by Bimbo Bakeries USA. They offer a range of different bread options, including white bread, wheat bread, and specialty products like bagels, buns, and rolls. Milton Bread has distribution across the United States. Their products are sold at many major grocery chains.
Some of Milton Bread’s most popular products include:
- Milton’s Soft White Bread
- Milton’s 100% Whole Wheat Bread
- Milton’s Double Fiber Wheat Bread
- Milton’s Egg Bread
- Milton’s Cinnamon Raisin Swirl Bread
- Milton’s Potato Hot Dog Buns
- Milton’s Hamburger Buns
Milton Bread offers a range of traditional white, wheat, and specialty baked breads. In recent years, they have introduced some gluten-free options to appeal to the growing gluten-free consumer market.
Does Milton offer any gluten-free breads?
Yes, Milton Bread has introduced some gluten-free products due to increasing demand:
Milton’s Gluten Free White Bread
This gluten-free white bread is made with non-GMO corn starch, potato starch, tapioca starch, and brown rice flour. It has a soft, sandwich-style texture. Nutritionally, a 1-ounce slice contains 60 calories, 1.5g fat, 13g carbs, 2g fiber, and 2g protein.
Milton’s Gluten Free Cinnamon Raisin Bread
This bread combines gluten-free ingredients with cinnamon and raisins for added flavor. A 1-ounce slice provides 70 calories, 1g fat, 15g carbs, 2g fiber, and 1g protein.
Milton’s Gluten Free Hamburger Buns
These buns are designed for gluten-free hamburgers and sandwiches. Each bun has 80 calories, 1g fat, 15g carbs, <2g fiber, and 3g protein. While limited compared to their traditional bread lineup, Milton now provides some gluten-free options for customers following gluten-free diets. Their gluten-free products are made without any wheat, rye, barley, or gluten-containing ingredients.
Are all Milton Bread products gluten-free?
No, not all Milton Bread products are gluten-free. The vast majority of their breads and baked goods contain gluten:
- Breads made with wheat or wheat blends (white, wheat, potato, raisin, etc.) are not gluten-free.
- Specialty products like bagels, buns, and rolls also typically contain gluten.
- Flavored/swirl breads usually have sources of gluten like wheat.
So while they offer a handful of gluten-free items, most Milton Bread products are not gluten-free. They contain sources of gluten like wheat flour, wheat starch, barley malt, and other glutenous ingredients.
Gluten-Containing Milton Bread Products
| Bread Product | Gluten Source(s) |
|---|---|
| Milton’s Soft White Bread | Enriched wheat flour |
| Milton 100% Whole Wheat Bread | Whole wheat flour |
| Milton Oat Nut Bread | Whole wheat flour, wheat gluten |
| Milton Cinnamon Raisin Swirl Bread | Wheat flour, barley malt |
| Milton Bagels | Enriched wheat flour, malted barley flour |
As shown, most Milton products contain gluten, so they are not safe for gluten-free diets. Gluten-free consumers must stick to Milton’s specifically labeled “gluten-free” items.
Are Milton’s gluten-free products truly gluten-free?
According to Milton Bread, their gluten-free products are tested to verify they contain less than 20 parts per million of gluten. This allows them to be labeled as “gluten-free” per the FDA standards. Milton states their gluten-free items are produced in facilities that also process wheat, so there is a risk of cross-contamination. Those with celiac disease or high gluten sensitivity should use caution and check with their doctor before trying them.
Consumer reviews seem to support that Milton’s gluten-free breads are truly gluten-free as advertised:
- “I have celiac and have eaten this bread for months with no issues.”
- “My daughter is highly sensitive to gluten and has tried this bread with no problems.”
- “I’m gluten intolerant and have tested negative for gluten after eating this.”
However, some note inconsistencies between loaves:
- “Most loaves seem fine, but occasionally I’ll get one that makes me sick.”
- “I react sometimes but not always when I eat this bread.”
So while Milton’s gluten-free products likely contain very low or undetectable levels of gluten when manufactured correctly, the risk of cross-contamination and inconsistency between batches is a concern for some gluten-free consumers. Those with celiac disease or high sensitivity need to weigh the risks versus benefits carefully.
What precautions does Milton take against cross-contamination?
According to Milton’s website, they take the following precautions to reduce the risk of gluten cross-contamination in their gluten-free products:
- Produce the few gluten-free products in separate, dedicated facilities from their traditional gluten-containing breads.
- Test equipment and surfaces regularly for gluten residues and thoroughly clean before producing gluten-free items.
- Require employees to wash hands and change gloves between handling gluten and gluten-free products.
- Use separate ingredient bins and preparation areas for gluten-free doughs.
- Label gluten-free products and keep them segregated during processing.
However, they admit their procedures are not 100% fail-safe for preventing cross-contamination. Gluten-free products run on shared lines and gluten residues can happen. Milton cannot guarantee absolute purity for those highly sensitivity. Consumers concerned about trace gluten are advised to contact the company for the most up-to-date information before consuming.
Should you eat Milton’s gluten-free bread if you have celiac disease?
Those with celiac disease require a strict 100% gluten-free diet free of any cross-contamination risk. Based on the information provided by Milton Bread, their gluten-free products likely fall into a grey area:
- Most individual loaves test below 20ppm and should be gluten-free per FDA standards.
- However, they admit some risk of gluten exposure from shared facilities and lines.
This means some celiac sufferers may be able to tolerate Milton’s gluten-free products without issues, while others could react to potential traces of gluten. The sensitivity level can vary quite a bit person-to-person.
The Celiac Disease Foundation cautions that facilities making both gluten and gluten-free items may not be suitable for all celiacs, especially children or those highly-reactive. They advise celiacs with concerns to contact the manufacturer for testing assurances before trying products made in mixed facilities.
So celiacs considering Milton gluten-free bread should weigh the benefits versus potential contamination risks carefully with their healthcare provider. Those highly sensitive or reactive may want to avoid it or proceed cautiously. Trying a small amount and watching for symptoms may help gauge individual tolerance. Obviously, any reaction signals the bread should be avoided completely.
Is Milton Bread gluten-free friendly?
When evaluating if a company offers “gluten-free friendly” products suitable for gluten-free diets, factors like the following are often considered:
- Dedicated facilities – Milton does not produce all gluten-free items in exclusionary facilities, though they use some separate areas.
- Certifications – Milton Bread has not obtained gluten-free certifications from organizations like GFCO.
- Testing – Milton states products are tested to below 20ppm, but provides limited specifics.
- Advisory statements – Milton Bread provides appropriate advisories about shared facilities and risk of gluten exposure.
Based on this, Milton Bread would likely not rank as highly “gluten-free friendly” compared to brands that exclusively manufacture gluten-free products in certified gluten-free facilities with robust protocols.
However, they do offer some options for less sensitive gluten-free consumers with proper advisories. Those who require stricter assurances should look for dedicated or certified gluten-free brands instead.
The verdict on Milton gluten-free bread
So in summary, here’s the final verdict on whether Milton Bread’s gluten-free products are suitable for gluten-free diets:
- Milton offers a handful of gluten-free bread options made with gluten-free ingredients.
- Products reportedly test below 20ppm, meeting the FDA gluten-free rule.
- However, they are produced in shared facilities with some risk of cross-contamination.
- Milton Bread cannot guarantee products are 100% gluten-free for those highly sensitive.
- Most individuals seem to tolerate Milton’s gluten-free bread well, but reactions are possible in those sensitive to traces of gluten.
- Celiacs and anyone highly sensitive should use caution and assess tolerance individually.
In summary, Milton’s gluten-free breads appear mostly gluten-free and well-tolerated, but may not be suitable for all gluten-free consumers depending on individual sensitivity levels. Checking for personal tolerance is advised, especially for those with celiac disease who require stricter precautions against potential cross-contamination. For maximum safety, strict gluten-free consumers may prefer brands manufactured exclusively in dedicated gluten-free facilities. But for many living gluten-free, Milton Bread offers some tasty options as long as individual tolerance is confirmed first.
The bottom line
While Milton Bread has jumped into the gluten-free market with some products labeled gluten-free, only a handful of their items are actually gluten-free. The vast majority of Milton Breads contain gluten and are not suitable for gluten-free diets. Their gluten-free breads and buns, made with gluten-free grains and starches, appear to test below 20ppm and meet FDA standards for the gluten-free label. However, the risk of gluten cross-contamination from their shared manufacturing facilities means these products may not be tolerated well by all gluten-free consumers, especially those highly sensitive. Individuals must check for personal tolerance when deciding if Milton gluten-free products can fit safely into their gluten-free lifestyle.
