Gluten-free diets have become increasingly popular, with more and more people choosing to avoid gluten for health, dietary, or personal reasons. For those following a gluten-free diet, it’s important to check labels and ingredient lists carefully, as gluten can sneak into unexpected products. One condiment that often raises questions is mayonnaise, specifically Kraft mayo. So, is real Kraft mayo gluten-free?
The short answer is yes, real Kraft mayo is gluten-free. Kraft mayo does not contain any gluten-containing ingredients. However, it’s always advisable for those with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity to double-check the label each time, as ingredients can change. Additionally, there is a risk of cross-contamination at the manufacturing facilities. But overall, real Kraft mayo can be considered gluten-free.
Ingredients in Kraft Mayo
To understand if a product contains gluten, it’s essential to check the ingredients list. Here are the ingredients in real, original Kraft mayo:
– Soybean Oil
– Water
– Egg Yolks
– Vinegar
– Contains Less Than 2% of: Salt, Sugar, Natural Flavor (contains Mustard), Lemon Juice Concentrate, Calcium Disodium EDTA (to Protect Flavor)
– Paprika and Turmeric (for color)
As you can see, none of these ingredients contain gluten. The main components are soybean oil, water, and egg yolks. There are no gluten-containing grains like wheat, barley, or rye. Therefore, the ingredients list confirms that real Kraft mayo is gluten-free.
No Cross-Contamination Risk With Kraft Mayo
When a product is made in a facility that also processes gluten-containing foods, there is a risk of cross-contamination. Even if the ingredients are gluten-free, trace amounts of gluten could make their way into the product.
The good news is Kraft mayo is not considered at high risk for cross-contamination. Kraft produces their mayo in a dedicated facility that only makes mayonnaise. No gluten ingredients are used on the same equipment as the mayo.
So real Kraft mayo avoids the major concern around cross-contamination. This gives extra confidence that the jars remain 100% gluten-free.
Kraft Clearly Labels Mayo “Gluten-Free”
In addition to an ingredients list and information about manufacturing facilities, Kraft also clearly labels their real mayo as “gluten-free.”
Right on the front of the jar, a red banner states “Gluten Free” (as seen in the photo above). Kraft’s customer service also confirms their mayo does not contain any gluten ingredients.
This clear “gluten-free” label takes out any guesswork. Kraft wants those with gluten concerns to know their original mayo is a safe, gluten-free choice.
What Types of Kraft Mayo Are Gluten-Free?
Now that we’ve confirmed real, original Kraft mayo is gluten-free, what about other varieties? Here is a breakdown of the common Kraft mayo options:
Kraft Real Mayo
As discussed above, Kraft’s original real mayo is gluten-free. This includes all sizes of the Real Mayo line:
– Real Mayo 30 oz jar
– Real Mayo 8 oz jar
– Real Mayo 20 oz squeeze bottle
No matter which size you choose, the ingredients are the same. The original Real Mayo recipe avoids gluten.
Kraft Light Mayo
Kraft’s Light Mayo is also certified gluten-free. Light Mayo has the following nutrition facts:
– 35% less fat than real mayo
– Half the calories of real mayo
– Cholesterol-free
While the calories and fat content are reduced, the Light Mayo is still gluten-free. It contains the same ingredients as Original Real Mayo, minus some oil. The Light Mayo uses added gums to maintain the mayo texture with less oil. But none of these gums or other ingredients contain gluten.
Kraft Olive Oil Mayo
Olive oil is added for extra Mediterranean flavor in Kraft Olive Oil Mayo. The ingredients include:
– Soybean Oil
– Olive Oil
– Water
– Egg Yolks
– Vinegar
– Salt
– Sugar
– Natural Flavor
– Lemon Juice Concentrate
– Calcium Disodium EDTA
Again, this recipe sticks to gluten-free ingredients. The addition of olive oil simply enhances the flavor. The Olive Oil Mayo variety is labeled “gluten-free” just like the original.
Kraft Bacon Mayo
For a smoky, bacon-y twist, Kraft makes a Bacon Mayo variety. The ingredients include:
– Soybean Oil
– Water
– Egg Yolks
– Distilled Vinegar
– Bacon
– Sugar
– Salt
– Natural Flavor
– Calcium Disodium EDTA
– Onion
– Garlic
– Spices
Real crumbled bacon is blended into the mayo, adding that unmistakable bacon flavor. However, since bacon is gluten-free, the Bacon Mayo remains gluten-free as well. As long as you avoid any cross-contamination when scooping the mayo out of the jar, it’s perfectly fine for gluten-free diets.
Kraft Chipotle Mayo
Spicy chipotle chilies lend their smoky heat to Kraft’s Chipotle Mayo. Ingredients include:
– Soybean Oil
– Water
– Egg Yolks
– Distilled White Vinegar
– Sugar
– Salt
– Chipotle Peppers
– Natural Flavor
– Spices
– Calcium Disodium EDTA
– Garlic
– Onion
– Torula Yeast
The torula yeast acts as a natural flavor enhancer. And while torula yeast originates from corn, it does not contain gluten. There are no gluten-based grains or additives in the Chipotle Mayo.
Kraft Tartar Sauce
Tartar sauce is a popular seafood accompaniment. Kraft makes a Tartar Sauce that doubles as a sandwich spread. The ingredients are:
– Soybean Oil
– Water
– Relish (Pickle, Sugar, Distilled Vinegar, Salt, Red Bell Pepper, Xanthan Gum, Alginate, Natural Flavors, Calcium Chloride)
– Egg Yolks
– Distilled Vinegar
– Sugar
– Salt
– Xanthan Gum
– Propylene Glycol Alginate
– Natural Flavor
– Calcium Disodium EDTA
The relish adds a nice crunch and flavor to the mayo base. And while the relish contains some natural gums for thickness, none of these gums have gluten. The Tartar Sauce gets the gluten-free seal of approval.
Kraft Dijonnaise
For a twist on classic mayo, Kraft makes a Dijonnaise spread. This combines mayonnaise and French’s Classic Yellow Mustard for a creamy, tangy flavor. The ingredients include:
– Soybean Oil
– Water
– French’s Classic Yellow Mustard (Distilled Vinegar, Water, Mustard Seed, Salt, Turmeric, Spices)
– Egg Yolks
– Vinegar
– Sugar
– Salt
– Natural Flavor
The addition of French’s mustard adds a nice zing, while keeping this spread gluten-free. Overall, Dijonnaise is another safe, gluten-free option from Kraft.
Kraft Mayonnaise Squeeze & Mix
Kraft’s Mayonnaise Squeeze & Mix makes customized flavored mayo easy. It comes with a bottle of original mayo and a squeeze tube of additions like basil pesto, roasted garlic, lemon twist, and more.
To make flavored mayo, you simply squeeze out the add-in and mix it into the jar of mayo. Since we already confirmed standard Kraft Real Mayo is gluten-free, as long as you choose a gluten-free add-in flavor, the finished mix will be gluten-free as well.
Kraft Mayo Singles
For grab-and-go portions, Kraft makes their mayo into portable Mayo Singles packs. These contain 0.5 oz portions of Real Kraft Mayo sealed into little packets.
The Mayo Singles have identical ingredients as regular Kraft Real Mayo. So these single-serve packs are also gluten-free.
Kraft Sandwich Spread
While not mayo, Kraft’s Sandwich Spread is worth mentioning here. Sandwich Spread has a creamier texture than regular mayo.
The ingredients in Kraft Sandwich Spread are:
– Soybean Oil
– Water
– Vinegar
– Sugar
– Egg Yolks
– Contains 2% or less of Salt, Natural Flavor, Lemon Juice Concentrate, Dried Onions, Dried Garlic, Spice
Again, Kraft sticks with the basics here. No gluten ingredients are added. The Sandwich Spread is safe for gluten-free diets.
Cross-Contact With Gluten Containing Products
As mentioned earlier, cross-contamination is always a concern for those with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity. Even tiny amounts of gluten can cause issues.
Here are some cross-contact risks to keep in mind with Kraft mayo:
Jars Previously Used Wheat-Based Mayos
Kraft makes other mayonnaise products that contain gluten, like their Miracle Whip line. If a store stocks both gluten and gluten-free Kraft items, there is a chance gluten-containing mayo could have been in the jar before.
To reduce risk, look for sealed jars without any product residue around the lid. Avoid any open or damaged jars. And once open, be very careful not to re-dip a dirty knife back into the jar, as that could introduce gluten.
Shared Production Lines
As mentioned before, Kraft indicates their mayo is made on dedicated equipment in a facility that only produces mayonnaise.
However, they do share that their facility manufactures other food allergens like eggs, soy, and milk. So those with multiple food allergies beyond gluten should note there could be cross-contact.
Bulk Food Bins
Some grocery stores offer mayonnaise from bulk food bins. Shoppers can scoop as much mayo as needed into a container. However, shared bins present a major risk of cross-contact.
The scoops and bins could easily come into contact with various gluten-containing foods like bread for chicken salad, pasta salads with mayo, etc. Only choose Kraft mayo from sealed containers, not bulk bins.
Restaurant Use
If you are eating at a restaurant that serves Kraft mayo, double check that it has been stored and handled properly, separate from gluten-containing foods. Also ensure the mayo hasn’t been made in-house using a recipe that contains gluten. When dining out, always clearly communicate your need to eat 100% gluten-free.
Kraft Mayo Nutrition Info
Here is the nutrition information for a 1-tablespoon serving of original Kraft Real Mayo:
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 90 |
| Fat | 10g |
| Saturated Fat | 1.5g |
| Trans Fat | 0g |
| Cholesterol | 10mg |
| Sodium | 90mg |
| Carbohydrates | 0g |
| Sugar | 0g |
| Protein | 0g |
As you can see, Kraft mayo gets the majority of its calories from fat. There are 90 calories and 10 grams of total fat per serving.
It’s also high in cholesterol, with 10mg coming from the egg yolk content.
Sodium content is moderate at 90mg per tablespoon.
There are no carbohydrates, sugar, fiber, or protein in Kraft mayo.
So in terms of nutrition, Kraft mayo packs a high amount of fat into each serving. It can fit into a gluten-free diet, but is best consumed in moderation.
Cost of Kraft Mayo
Kraft mayo is one of the more affordable name brand mayo options. Here are some average prices:
– Kraft Real Mayo 30 oz jar: $3.49
– Kraft Real Mayo 8 oz jar: $2.29
– Kraft Real Mayo 20 oz squeeze bottle: $2.99
– Kraft Light Mayo 30 oz jar: $3.49
– Kraft Bacon Mayo 22 oz jar: $3.99
– Kraft Olive Oil Mayo: $3.79
– Kraft Chipotle Mayo: $3.79
Kraft often offers coupons on their website, which can help lower the price. Store brands are typically a bit cheaper than the Kraft name brand too.
Overall, Kraft mayo provides a budget-friendly option compared to premium brands like Hellmann’s. The ability to find it gluten-free is an added bonus.
Where to Buy Kraft Mayo
Kraft mayo can be found at just about any major grocery store. Here are some of the top spots to buy Kraft mayo:
Grocery Stores
– Walmart
– Target
– Kroger
– Publix
– Safeway
– Winn-Dixie
– Harris Teeter
– Albertsons
– Piggly Wiggly
– HEB
– Trader Joe’s
Kraft mayo is stocked at the condiment aisle of these grocery chains nationwide. Again, just check that the jar is sealed properly.
Online Stores
– Amazon.com
– Walmart.com
– Target.com
– Instacart.com
– Peapod.com
Buying online through grocery delivery services can expand your options. Look for bulk cases of Kraft mayo to stock up.
Warehouse Clubs
– Costco
– Sam’s Club
– BJ’s Wholesale Club
For serious mayo lovers, warehouse stores sell extra large jars and multipacks. This allows you to buy a whole supply of gluten-free Kraft mayo at bulk discount prices.
Kraft Mayo: Conclusion
When shopping for mayo, you’ll see “gluten-free” labeled right on Kraft jars. This makes meal planning and grocery shopping easier for those with gluten concerns. As long as you check for proper sealing and avoid cross-contamination, Kraft mayo can be safely enjoyed on a gluten-free diet. So spread on the real, original Kraft mayo without worry or gluten guilt!
