Pam cooking spray is a popular non-stick cooking spray used by many home cooks and professional chefs. With the rise in gluten sensitivities and celiac disease, a common question regarding Pam cooking spray is whether it contains gluten or not.
The Short Answer
Yes, original Pam cooking spray (and most Pam spray varieties) are certified gluten-free to less than 20ppm, making them safe for people with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity.
Ingredients in Pam Cooking Spray
To understand if Pam cooking spray contains gluten, we need to look at the ingredients:
- Canola oil
- Soybean oil
- Olive oil
- Palm oil
- Lecithin
- Propellant (propane and isobutane)
None of these ingredient contain gluten. Canola oil, soybean oil, olive oil, palm oil and lecithin are naturally gluten-free ingredients. The propellants propane and isobutane are gases and also do not contain gluten.
Certified Gluten-Free
In addition to not containing any ingredients with gluten, Pam confirms their cooking spray is certified gluten-free to less than 20ppm (parts per million):
“None of our PAM® products contain wheat, barley, rye or oats. All PAM® products are certified gluten-free to international Codex Alimentarius Commission standards which require them to contain less than 20 parts per million (ppm) gluten.” – ConAgra Brands
20ppm is the recognized international standard for certified gluten-free products. Being certified to less than 20ppm gluten confirms Pam cooking spray contains only trace amounts that are considered safe for the vast majority of those sensitive to gluten.
Specific Pam Cooking Sprays
While original Pam and most varieties are gluten-free, here is more detail on other specific Pam spray products:
Pam Olive Oil Spray
Pam olive oil spray contains olive oil and propellant. It does not contain any gluten-containing ingredients. Pam states it is certified gluten-free to less than 20ppm.
Pam Butter Flavor Spray
Pam butter flavored spray contains canola oil, soybean oil, palm oil, lecithin and natural butter type flavor. It is certified gluten-free to less than 20ppm gluten.
Pam Coconut Oil Spray
Pam coconut oil spray contains expeller pressed coconut oil and propellant. It is certified gluten-free to less than 20ppm gluten.
Pam Baking Spray
Pam baking spray, formulated for baking, contains soybean oil, palm oil, lecithin and flour crust inhibitors (cellulose gum, enriched bleached wheat flour). The enriched bleached wheat flour does contain gluten. So original Pam baking spray is not gluten-free due to containing wheat flour.
However, Pam does offer a certified gluten-free baking spray that replaces the wheat flour with tapioca starch and rice flour.
Cross-Contact Precautions
While Pam cooking sprays are certified gluten-free to very low levels (less than 20ppm), those with celiac disease or severe wheat allergy should still take some basic cross-contact precautions:
- Check bottle for any advisory statements – Pam clearly labels products not labeled gluten-free
- Look at store shelves – cooking sprays are sometimes shelved together so check for any cross-contact
- Avoid baking spray – higher risk for cross-contact from wheat flour in regular baking spray
- Consider separate toaster oven – cooking spray build up over time can increase gluten risk
Overall though, original Pam cooking spray and most varieties are considered gluten-free and safe for those avoiding gluten in their diet. Pam does not contain any gluten ingredients and is third-party tested and certified to international gluten-free standards.
Other FAQs
Is Pam peanut-free?
Yes, Pam products do not contain peanuts or peanut derivatives and are considered peanut-free.
Is Pam vegan?
Most Pam cooking sprays are vegan friendly, however some varieties contain milk derivatives:
- Original Pam – vegan
- Olive oil Pam – vegan
- Coconut oil Pam – vegan
- Butter and garlic flavored Pam – contains milk ingredients
Is Pam non-GMO?
While the Canola oil used in Pam may come from GMO crops, Pam does not claim to be a non-GMO product. There is no statement of genetic engineering or use of GMOs on the Pam packaging.
Is Pam dairy free?
Original Pam and most varieties are dairy free. However, Pam does have some select cooking sprays that contain milk derivatives like butter flavor. Always check the ingredients for milk, butter or whey if avoiding dairy.
Conclusion
To conclude, the majority of Pam cooking spray varieties including original Pam spray are gluten-free to less than 20ppm. This very low level of gluten makes Pam cooking spray safe for most people with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity. The exception is Pam baking spray, which contains wheat flour. When in doubt, always check the ingredients label on the Pam cooking spray you are purchasing or contact the manufacturer.
