Skippy peanut butter is a popular peanut butter brand that has been around since 1933. With its creamy texture and robust peanut flavor, Skippy has become a staple peanut butter in many households. But for people with food restrictions like gluten or dairy allergies, a critical question arises: is Skippy peanut butter gluten and dairy free?
The Gluten Free Status of Skippy Peanut Butter
The good news is that Skippy peanut butter is certified gluten free. This certification means that Skippy peanut butter contains less than 20 parts per million of gluten. This trace amount is generally recognized as safe for people with celiac disease or non-celiac gluten sensitivity.
Skippy states on its website that all Skippy peanut butter varieties, including creamy, crunchy, natural, and reduced fat, are gluten free. So people following a gluten free diet can enjoy classic Skippy peanut butter without concern over gluten content.
Peanuts are naturally gluten free. Gluten refers to proteins found in wheat, barley, and rye. Peanuts do not contain these gluten-containing grains. The lack of wheat, barley, and rye ingredients is why peanut butter is a gluten free food.
However, some peanut butter brands add grains like wheat or barley to their ingredients. This adds gluten and makes the peanut butter unsafe for gluten free diets. Always check the label to confirm a peanut butter is certified gluten free.
Skippy avoids gluten-containing ingredients, allowing for its gluten free status. The only ingredients in Skippy peanut butter are roasted peanuts and small amounts of sugar, hydrogenated vegetable oils, and salt. None of these ingredients contain gluten.
Why Skippy Peanut Butter is Gluten Free
- Skippy contains no wheat, barley, or rye ingredients
- Peanuts are naturally gluten free
- Skippy avoids ingredients that contain gluten
- Skippy peanut butter is certified gluten free
Is Skippy Peanut Butter Dairy Free?
While Skippy peanut butter is gluten free, it is not vegan or dairy free. Skippy contains trace amounts of milk derivatives, making it unsuitable for people with milk allergies or vegans.
According to Skippy’s website, their peanut butter contains less than 2% of partially hydrogenated vegetable oils (includes soybean and/or cottonseed). These partially hydrogenated oils likely use small amounts of milk derivatives like whey as emulsifiers.
While the quantity of these dairy-derived ingredients is small, it means Skippy cannot be labeled as “dairy free.” People with milk allergies need to avoid any food that contains milk in order to prevent allergic reactions.
Those following a vegan diet must also avoid Skippy due to the milk derivative ingredients. Vegans do not consume any animal derived products, including dairy from cows.
In contrast, some natural peanut butter brands contain no dairy ingredients. These dairy free peanut butters are suitable options for vegans and people with milk allergies. Always thoroughly read ingredient lists to check for milk, whey, casein, and other dairy derivatives.
Why Skippy Peanut Butter Contains Dairy
- Small amounts of whey or other milk derivatives used in hydrogenated oils
- quantity too small to list on packaging
- Still contains traces of dairy so not vegan or dairy free
- Natural peanut butter brands often dairy free alternatives
How Much Dairy is in Skippy Peanut Butter?
Skippy does not disclose the exact amount of milk derivatives present in their peanut butter. However, given Skippy’s certification as gluten free, the dairy content must be minimal.
For a food to be certified gluten free, it must contain less than 20 parts per million of gluten from wheat, rye, or barley. While dairy content rules differ, this gives a good benchmark.
Since Skippy cannot claim to be dairy free, their peanut butter likely contains more than 20 ppm of milk content. However, it is certainly not a substantial amount compared to the main ingredients of peanuts and vegetable oils.
The minor dairy content in Skippy also means it is not suitable for people with severe milk allergies. Even tiny amounts of whey or casein can trigger allergic reactions in highly sensitive individuals.
For people with less acute dairy allergies, Skippy may be tolerable in moderation. But those with anaphylaxis risks should choose a peanut butter with a dairy free guarantee.
Estimating the Dairy Content of Skippy Peanut Butter
- No exact dairy amount disclosed
- Must be under 20 ppm based on gluten free status
- Not enough to list as ingredient, but enough to disqualify “dairy free” status
- Not recommended for people with severe milk allergies
What Varieties of Skippy Peanut Butter Contain Dairy?
According to Skippy’s website, all Skippy peanut butter varieties contain traces of milk derivatives and are not dairy free. This includes:
- Creamy peanut butter
- Crunchy peanut butter
- Natural creamy peanut butter
- Natural crunchy peanut butter
- Reduced fat creamy peanut butter
- Reduced fat crunchy peanut butter
- Organic creamy peanut butter
- Organic crunchy peanut butter
- And any other Skippy peanut butter variety
Skippy states that none of their peanut butter products are dairy free or vegan. So regardless of the specific Skippy variety, from crunchy to creamy, some amount of dairy will be present.
Always check the label on your specific Skippy peanut butter jar to confirm the ingredients. Look for any signs of milk, whey, casein, or lactose listed in the ingredients.
The method of processing and exact oil ingredients may vary slightly between Skippy products. But they uniformly state that traces of dairy prevent a “dairy free” label.
All Skippy Products Contain Traces of Dairy
- Applies to all Skippy peanut butter types
- Creamy, crunchy, natural, reduced fat, etc
- Processing and ingredients vary slightly but all contain some dairy
- Always check the label to confirm
Good Peanut Butter Alternatives for Dairy Free Diets
While Skippy is not suitable for dairy free or vegan diets, there are several good dairy free peanut butter options to consider instead:
Jif Natural Peanut Butter
– Made with just dry roasted peanuts and salt
– No hydrogenated oils possibly containing dairy
– Clearly labeled as dairy free
Smucker’s Natural Peanut Butter
– Contains peanuts, palm oil, and salt
– Palm oil ensures no dairy derivatives in oils
– Label states it is dairy and lactose free
Crazy Richard’s Peanut Butter
– Only dry roasted peanuts and salt
– Free of milk, lactose, and whey
– Certified vegan
Trader Joe’s Creamy Salted Peanut Butter
– Ingredients are peanuts, palm oil, sea salt
– Free of milk, whey, and lactose
– Good price point
Always read the labels to confirm a peanut butter is explicitly labeled as vegan or dairy free. Look for those that stick to simple ingredients like peanuts and salt to avoid any hidden dairy.
Can People with Dairy Allergies Eat Skippy Peanut Butter?
People with dairy allergies need to avoid Skippy peanut butter due to the small traces of milk-derived ingredients it contains.
Those with minor lactose intolerance may be able to consume small amounts of Skippy without issues. But people with diagnosed milk allergies should not eat Skippy peanut butter.
Milk allergies can range from mild to severe and life-threatening. Even tiny amounts of dairy residues can trigger allergic reactions in highly sensitive people.
Symptoms of dairy allergic reactions include:
- Hives, itching, or eczema
- Swelling of lips, face, tongue, throat
- Wheezing or difficulty breathing
- Runny nose or congestion
- Abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea
- Anaphylaxis – impaired breathing, fainting, low blood pressure
Since Skippy likely contains small quantities of dairy from milk derivatives, those with known severe milk allergies should avoid it.
Thankfully there are many nutritious dairy free peanut butters available. Brands clearly labeled as dairy free or vegan are better peanut butter choices for people with milk allergies.
Skippy is Not Recommended for Those with Dairy Allergies
- Trace milk ingredients could trigger allergic reaction
- Even tiny dairy residues are risky
- Mild lactose intolerance may tolerate small amounts
- But best to choose peanut butter labeled dairy free
Common Questions about Skippy Peanut Butter
Is Skippy peanut butter gluten free?
Yes, Skippy peanut butter is certified gluten free and safe for gluten free diets. Skippy contains no wheat, barley, or rye and avoids gluten-containing ingredients.
Is Skippy peanut butter dairy free or vegan?
No, Skippy peanut butter contains traces of dairy from milk derivatives so it is not dairy free or vegan.
Does Skippy natural peanut butter have dairy?
Yes, Skippy’s website indicates all Skippy varieties, including Skippy natural, contain traces of dairy and are not dairy free.
Can you eat Skippy peanut butter if you are lactose intolerant?
Those with mild lactose intolerance can likely tolerate small amounts of Skippy peanut butter. But Skippy is not recommended for people with diagnosed severe milk allergies.
Is Jif or Skippy peanut butter better if you have milk allergies?
Jif natural peanut butter is a better choice since it does not contain dairy derivatives like Skippy does. Jif natural is clearly labeled as dairy free.
The Bottom Line
Skippy peanut butter is a popular peanut butter brand that is certified gluten free. However, Skippy contains traces of milk derivatives and is not dairy or lactose free.
The small dairy residues in Skippy mean it is unsuitable for people with milk allergies or who follow a vegan diet. Even tiny amounts of dairy can cause issues for those with sensitivities.
Thankfully there are good dairy free peanut butter options, like Jif Natural, Smucker’s Natural, and others clearly labeled vegan and dairy free. Always read labels and look for simple ingredients.
Skippy can be part of a healthy gluten free diet, but is not the right choice for dairy free or vegan lifestyles.
