Many people with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity wonder if popular canned chili products like Hormel No Bean Chili are safe to eat on a gluten-free diet. With more people avoiding gluten for medical reasons or by choice, food manufacturers are making more gluten-free options available. But it’s not always easy to tell which products are naturally gluten-free and which have gluten added.
This article will examine Hormel’s No Bean Chili in detail to determine if it is gluten-free. We’ll look at the ingredients, manufacturing process, and labeling to give a definitive answer on whether Hormel No Bean Chili can be part of a gluten-free diet.
About Hormel No Bean Chili
Hormel No Bean Chili is a classic canned chili made by the Hormel Foods Corporation. Hormel is one of the largest food companies in the United States, known for brands like SPAM luncheon meat, Jennie-O turkey, and Skippy peanut butter. The company was founded in 1891 in Austin, Minnesota by George A. Hormel as a small meat packing operation. Today, Hormel manufactures and markets a wide variety of meat and food products worldwide.
No Bean Chili is one of Hormel’s chili brands, sold in 15 ounce cans on supermarket shelves across the United States. As the name implies, it is a beanless chili made with ground beef, tomatoes, chili peppers, and spices. Other ingredients include things like salt, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and beef broth.
People choose No Bean Chili for the thicker, heartier texture that comes from leaving out beans. It can be served as is, added to dishes like chili mac or chili dogs, or used as an ingredient in recipes. With its savory beefy flavor, Hormel No Bean Chili is a popular choice for chili lovers who want an easy and satisfying meal.
Common Sources of Gluten
To understand if Hormel No Bean Chili is gluten-free, it’s helpful to first know what ingredients typically contain gluten. Gluten is a protein found in grains like wheat, barley, and rye. Most people with celiac disease or non-celiac gluten sensitivity cannot consume gluten, as it causes damage and inflammation in their digestive system. Foods, medications, and beauty products containing gluten must be avoided.
Common food sources of gluten include:
– Wheat – breads, pasta, crackers, baked goods
– Barley – soups, stews, some beers
– Rye – bread, cereal, pasta
– Oats – often cross-contaminated with wheat
– Malt – vinegar, flavorings, barley malt
– Soy sauce – contains wheat
– Fillers, stabilizers, and emulsifiers
– Flavorings and seasonings
Gluten can also be found in less obvious foods, like salad dressings, spices, broths, soups, sauces, and more. Reading ingredient lists carefully and looking for statements on packaging about being gluten-free are important for those avoiding gluten.
Hormel No Bean Chili Ingredients
Now let’s take a close look at the ingredients list printed on cans of Hormel No Bean Chili, to see if any sources of gluten are included:
– Beef
– Water
– Tomatoes (diced tomatoes in tomato juice, tomato puree)
– Contains less than 2% of salt, chili pepper, spices, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, sodium phosphate, natural flavor.
The main ingredients – beef, tomatoes, chili peppers, and spices – do not contain gluten. Other common chili ingredients like garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and salt are also naturally gluten-free.
Importantly, the ingredient list does not contain any grains like wheat, barley, rye or malt. Thickening or stabilizing agents are also not included, just basic whole food ingredients.
So far, it appears Hormel No Bean Chili does not contain any ingredients derived from gluten sources. But a closer look at how the product is made will help confirm this.
How Hormel No Bean Chili Is Manufactured
In addition to examining the ingredients, it’s also important to consider the facilities and processes used to make food products when assessing for gluten. Even if all ingredients are theoretically gluten-free, cross-contamination with gluten can easily occur during manufacturing.
Here are some key facts about how Hormel No Bean Chili is made:
– Produced at Hormel’s chili manufacturing plants in Nebraska and Texas. These are dedicated chili production facilities that do not make other products.
– Hormel states their plants follow allergen control plans and good manufacturing practices to prevent cross-contact with major allergens like wheat during processing.
– Raw ingredients are sourced and inspected to ensure no gluten exposure before arriving at the plant.
– Cleaning and sanitation procedures are in place to avoid cross-contamination between production runs.
– All equipment is thoroughly cleaned between making batches of chili to prevent gluten contamination.
Based on their manufacturing process, it appears Hormel has taken major precautions to avoid any cross-contact with gluten ingredients or products containing gluten.
The absence of gluten-containing ingredients, along with dedicated facilities and equipment, makes it very unlikely that gluten would be introduced during production.
Is Hormel No Bean Chili Labeled Gluten-Free?
In addition to reviewing the ingredients and manufacturing process, checking the package labeling is another important step in verifying whether a product is gluten-free.
In the United States, food products labeled “gluten-free” must legally contain less than 20 parts per million of gluten. This threshold is considered safe for the vast majority of those with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity.
Unfortunately, Hormel No Bean Chili cans are not currently labeled as gluten-free. The ingredients are not a source of gluten, and manufacturing procedures prevent cross-contact. But Hormel has not obtained formal gluten-free certification or labeled this specific product gluten-free.
That said, Hormel states that all their products adhere to FDA standards, which would include falling under the gluten-free threshold if no gluten sources are present. Their frequently asked questions also note that consumers should feel comfortable with products that do not contain ingredients derived from wheat, barley, rye or their derivatives.
Contacting Hormel About Gluten
When in doubt, contacting the manufacturer is the best way to determine if a product contains gluten. Different product varieties, recipes, and procedures can impact gluten content and risk.
Here are recommendations when contacting Hormel:
– Call or email Hormel Consumer Engagement at 1-800-523-4635 or www.hormelfoods.com/contact.
– Ask specifically whether Hormel No Bean Chili is considered gluten-free to less than 20ppm.
– Inquire about the likelihood of gluten cross-contact in shared manufacturing facilities.
– Request any gluten testing documentation that may have been performed.
– Ask if they can begin labeling No Bean Chili as certified gluten-free in the future.
– Get confirmation in writing for your records.
Reaching out to Hormel can help provide definitive gluten-free verification if needed. Be sure to get detailed answers to your questions from a knowledgeable representative.
Using Third-Party Gluten-Free Certifications
For added assurance, look for Hormel No Bean Chili to obtain third-party gluten-free certification in the future. Groups like the Gluten-Free Certification Organization (GFCO) rigorously test products and production facilities for gluten before certifying them as gluten-free. Products labeled with the GFCO stamp have been verified to contain less than 10ppm of gluten.
While not currently certified gluten-free, Hormel has taken steps towards this by obtaining GFCO certification for some products. As consumer demand increases, expanding gluten-free certification across more of their product line is a positive step Hormel could take.
Recommendations from Gluten-Free Watchdog
Gluten-Free Watchdog is a leading independent company that tests products for gluten and advocates for the gluten-free community. Their experts have assessed Hormel chili products and provided recommendations:
– Watchdog states they have tested Hormel chilis repeatedly over the years and never detected gluten. This includes Hormel turkey and regular bean chili varieties.
– Based on their independent testing, Watchdog states there is no reason those with celiac disease or gluten sensitivities should avoid Hormel canned chilis.
– Watchdog does recommend taking normal cross-contamination precautions by washing shared cooking tools and utensils thoroughly after use.
The analysis and testing performed by Gluten-Free Watchdog provides additional assurance that Hormel No Bean Chili is safe to eat for gluten-free diets when basic kitchen precautions are followed.
Evaluating Individual Tolerance and Sensitivity
While available information indicates Hormel No Bean Chili is gluten-free, it’s important to evaluate individual sensitivity levels as well. Factors like the frequency of use and your personal reaction to potential cross-contact should be considered.
Those who are:
– Highly sensitive – Should exercise caution and contact Hormel for clarity. Consider avoiding until the product is certified gluten-free if you react strongly to traces of gluten.
– Moderately sensitive – Can likely safely eat Hormel chili based on ingredients, manufacturing, and lack of testing evidence of gluten. But limit intake to occasional use just to be safe if concerned.
– Not very sensitive – Should be able to comfortably eat Hormel chilis with low risk based on current information.
Work closely with your healthcare team when making choices that are right for your individual needs and sensitivity. Be sure to monitor any symptoms that develop after eating any product.
Choosing Alternatives Just to Be Safe
If you wish to take extra precaution or Hormel’s response does not satisfy your concerns about potential gluten cross-contact, there are alternative beanless chili options:
– Amy’s No Bean Chili – Labeled gluten-free and certified by GFCO
– Stagg Chili – Certified gluten-free by GFCO
– Wolferman’s Chili – Stated to be gluten-free on packaging
– Del Monte Chili – No wheat or gluten ingredients
– Look for local gluten-free brands in your area
Checking for gluten-free certification from reputable organizations can provide added assurance. Purchasing specifically labeled gluten-free products may help those with high sensitivity feel more comfortable.
Summary
Determining if canned food products like Hormel No Bean Chili are gluten-free can take some work. But carefully reviewing the ingredients, manufacturing procedures, certifications, and third-party recommendations helps remove uncertainty.
Based on the available information, Hormel No Bean Chili appears to be gluten-free to FDA standards by not containing any gluten-containing ingredients. The manufacturing facilities and procedures also limit the risk of cross-contact with gluten. However, Hormel does not label this product as certified gluten-free or obtain third-party certification at this time.
Contacting the manufacturer, understanding your individual tolerance, and using extra precautions can help those who are highly sensitive or highly concerned make the right decision for themselves. But for most avoiding gluten, Hormel No Bean Chili is likely safe for occasional consumption when basic gluten-free practices are followed. Looking for gluten-free labels and certifications on products can also provide extra assurance as needed.
Conclusion
Hormel No Bean Chili is a classic canned chili that is likely gluten-free based on its ingredients and manufacturing processes, though it lacks official certification or labeling at this time. Those adhering to a gluten-free diet should feel comfortable consuming Hormel No Bean Chili in moderation with basic precautions, though extra care should be taken by those highly sensitive. Contacting Hormel directly, consulting testing by groups like Gluten-Free Watchdog, and choosing alternative certified gluten-free products can help provide definitive answers and assurance when needed. Being an informed gluten-free consumer involves evaluating multiple factors, so make the right choice for your individual health needs and sensitivity level.
