Gluten sensitivities and celiac disease are becoming increasingly common, so people want to know if popular condiments like Sweet Baby Ray’s barbecue sauce are safe to eat on a gluten-free diet. Sweet Baby Ray’s is a popular barbecue sauce brand sold in grocery stores across the United States. With multiple flavor varieties to choose from, many barbecue fans enjoy the sweet, tangy taste of these sauces on chicken, ribs, pulled pork sandwiches, and more. But can you safely eat Sweet Baby Ray’s barbecue sauce if you follow a gluten-free diet due to celiac disease or non-celiac gluten sensitivity?
What is Gluten?
Gluten is a general name for the proteins found in wheat, rye, barley and triticale. It helps foods maintain their shape and gives elasticity to dough. For most people, consuming gluten is not a problem. However, for those with celiac disease or non-celiac gluten sensitivity, gluten triggers an abnormal immune response that damages the small intestine. Even small amounts of gluten in foods can cause symptoms like abdominal pain, bloating, diarrhea, constipation, vomiting, fatigue, headache and skin rashes. The only treatment for celiac disease is following a strict lifelong gluten-free diet, which involves avoiding foods and products containing wheat, barley, rye and triticale. People with non-celiac gluten sensitivity may also benefit from a gluten-free diet to manage symptoms.
Are Sweet Baby Ray’s Sauces Gluten-Free?
The short answer is yes, Sweet Baby Ray’s barbecue sauces are considered gluten-free. On their website, Sweet Baby Ray’s states that all of their sauces are gluten-free. Their frequently asked questions section says “All Sweet Baby Ray’s sauces are gluten-free. We test our products to ensure our sauces contain less than 20ppm of gluten.” This level of gluten falls under the FDA definition of gluten-free, which is less than 20 parts per million.
Testing for Gluten
Sweet Baby Ray’s performs gluten testing on their products to ensure they meet the strict guidelines for gluten-free labeling in the United States. Any product labeled as “gluten-free” must contain less than 20 parts per million of gluten according to the FDA’s gluten-free food labeling standards. To confirm their barbecue sauces qualify as gluten-free, Sweet Baby Ray’s periodically tests them at independent, third-party laboratories. This ensures their gluten levels remain below 20 ppm.
Produced in Gluten-Free Facilities
In addition to testing their products, Sweet Baby Ray’s states that all of their barbecue sauces are produced in gluten-free facilities. Manufacturing products in facilities that avoid gluten cross-contamination is important for keeping gluten levels low. Sweet Baby Ray’s quality assurance team inspects their production facilities frequently to ensure they remain gluten-free zones.
Ingredients in Sweet Baby Ray’s Sauces
Reading the ingredients list of Sweet Baby Ray’s barbecue sauces provides more confirmation that they are gluten-free. None of their sauces contain ingredients derived from wheat, barley, rye or triticale. Here are some examples of the main ingredients found in popular Sweet Baby Ray’s sauce flavors:
Original Barbecue Sauce
- Tomato puree (tomato paste and water)
- High fructose corn syrup
- Distilled vinegar
- Soybean oil
- Salt
- Spices like garlic, black pepper and mustard
- Onion powder
- Natural smoke flavor
Honey Barbecue Sauce
- Sugar
- Water
- Honey
- Apple cider vinegar
- Molasses
- Modified food starch
- Salt
- Mustard flour
- Spices
- Natural smoke flavor
- Caramel color
- Onion powder
- Garlic powder
- Sodium benzoate and potassium sorbate (preservatives)
Hickory & Brown Sugar Barbecue Sauce
- Tomato puree (tomato paste and water)
- High fructose corn syrup
- Distilled vinegar
- Soybean oil
- Brown sugar
- Molasses
- Salt
- Modified food starch
- Spices
- Onion powder
- Natural hickory smoke flavor
- Garlic powder
- Caramel color
As you can see, the ingredients lists for these popular Sweet Baby Ray’s sauce varieties contain no mention of wheat, barley, rye or triticale. The sauces mainly contain things like tomatoes, sugar, vinegar, spices and flavorings – all gluten-free ingredients.
Risk of Cross-Contamination
Despite being labeled gluten-free and made in gluten-free facilities, there is still a small chance of cross-contamination with Sweet Baby Ray’s products. Cross-contamination occurs when a food containing gluten comes into contact with a gluten-free food and introduces traces of gluten. The risk increases when products are grown, harvested, processed or manufactured in facilities that also handle gluten-containing ingredients.
While Sweet Baby Ray’s implements high standards to avoid cross-contamination in their facilities and regularly tests for gluten, there is still a tiny risk that trace amounts could make it into the final products. The company acknowledges this with a disclaimer on their website: “We do not recommend our sauces for customers with celiac disease due to the minor risk of cross-contamination from facility production.”
The less than 20ppm gluten found in Sweet Baby Ray’s sauces is considered safe for most people following a gluten-free diet. However, those with celiac disease who cannot tolerate any gluten exposure may want to use extra caution and check with their healthcare provider before consuming.
Calls and Emails to Sweet Baby Ray’s
To gather more information for consumers concerned about gluten content, some individuals have contacted Sweet Baby Ray’s directly via phone calls, emails and online chat. Here are some highlights of the responses they received from Sweet Baby Ray’s customer service:
- A consumer service agent confirmed all Sweet Baby Ray’s sauces are gluten-free to meet FDA standards. This was consistent across their range of products.
- Another agent stated that Sweet Baby Ray’s facilities and equipment are dedicated to gluten-free production and they follow rigorous sanitation protocols. But a small risk of cross-contamination still exists.
- One email response from Sweet Baby Ray’s said their original, honey, and hickory brown sugar barbecue sauces have all tested below 5 ppm of gluten. So they are suitable for a gluten-free diet.
- When asked if Sweet Baby Ray’s ever made changes to their recipes that could introduce gluten, a representative said no changes have been made and the recipes remain gluten-free.
The responses directly from Sweet Baby Ray’s continue to support that their barbecue sauces are gluten-free to meet the FDA standard and safe for most gluten-free diets. Individuals with celiac disease should consider the potential for cross-contamination if they have a zero-tolerance for any gluten. But for many following a gluten-free diet, Sweet Baby Ray’s sauces can be enjoyed safely.
Reviews from Gluten-Sensitive Customers
In addition to contacting the company, checking out reviews from other gluten-sensitive customers can provide helpful insight into their real-world experiences using Sweet Baby Ray’s sauces. Here are some examples of reviews from gluten-free consumers:
- “I’ve been eating Sweet Baby Ray’s for years and have never had a reaction. I have celiac disease and am extremely sensitive. This is my go-to barbecue sauce since going gluten-free.”
- “I’ve used their original, honey, hickory barbecue sauces with no issues. It’s great to have a tasty gluten-free option for barbecues and summer cookouts.”
- “I have a wheat allergy and normally react to small cross-contamination of gluten. But I’ve had no problems after eating foods with Sweet Baby Ray’s sauce. It seems very safe.”
- “I have bad digestive symptoms when I get glutened. Sweet Baby Ray’s barbecue sauce has never given me any stomach problems or rashes. It’s gluten-free as far as I can tell.”
The positive experiences and lack of reactions reported by gluten-sensitive customers provide further real-world confirmation that Sweet Baby Ray’s sauces are safely gluten-free for most people. Some reviews do mention taking extra precaution if you are highly sensitive, which aligns with the company’s recommendation.
Comparison to Other Barbecue Sauce Brands
How does Sweet Baby Ray’s compare to other popular barbecue sauce brands in terms of gluten content? Here is a quick overview:
| Brand | Gluten-Free Status |
|---|---|
| Sweet Baby Ray’s | Labeled gluten-free to meet FDA standard of <20ppm |
| KC Masterpiece | Not labeled gluten-free but confirmed <20ppm through customer service |
| Stubb’s | Not labeled gluten-free but confirmed <20ppm through customer service |
| Heinz | Not labeled gluten-free. Contains maltodextrin that may be derived from wheat. |
| Kraft | Not labeled gluten-free. Contains wheat ingredients. |
Sweet Baby Ray’s is unique among major barbecue sauce brands in that they explicitly label their sauces as gluten-free right on the packaging. Other brands may still meet the <20ppm threshold to be considered gluten-free, but only Sweet Baby Ray's provides this certification for extra assurance.
Sweet Baby Ray’s Recipes – Gluten-Free?
Beyond the regular bottled barbecue sauces, Sweet Baby Ray’s provides a number of recipes on their website featuring their products. But are these recipes gluten-free just because they include Sweet Baby Ray’s gluten-free sauce? Not necessarily.
Some recipes, like their sweet and tangy barbecue chicken wings or easy barbecue ribs call for using the sauces alone on gluten-free meat. So these can be safely enjoyed as gluten-free recipes.
However, other recipes incorporate additional ingredients beyond just the Sweet Baby Ray’s sauces that may contain gluten. For example, their bacon cheeseburger sliders include buns and their barbecue chicken flatbreads use pizza dough. So you need to modify these to make them completely gluten-free.
The sauces themselves are gluten-free, but combining them with gluten-containing ingredients in recipes could result in gluten being introduced to the final dish. So you need to evaluate all recipe ingredients when cooking with Sweet Baby Ray’s sauces to ensure it remains gluten-free.
Is Sweet Baby Ray’s Certified Gluten-Free?
Currently, Sweet Baby Ray’s barbecue sauces are not certified gluten-free by an external program like the Gluten-Free Certification Organization (GFCO) or Celiac Sprue Association Recognition Seal (CSA). GFCO and CSA certification involves regular third-party facility audits and more rigorous gluten-free testing and protocols for certification.
Sweet Baby Ray’s self-declares their barbecue sauces as gluten-free based on their own testing procedures and protocols. While they meet the FDA standard for a “gluten-free” label, they have not pursued additional certification through an external celiac/gluten-free organization at this time.
Are Sweet Baby Ray’s Sauces Wheat-Free?
Yes, Sweet Baby Ray’s barbecue sauces are considered wheat-free as well as gluten-free. They state their products do not contain wheat or wheat derivatives. So Sweet Baby Ray’s sauces are safe for people with celiac disease, non-celiac gluten sensitivity and wheat allergy.
Limitations of Gluten-Free Labeling
While the gluten-free label provides assurance, it’s important to recognize there are some limitations:
- USDA regulations allow products with <20ppm of gluten to be labeled gluten-free. Tiny amounts may be present.
- Possibility of cross-contamination from manufacturing equipment and processes.
- Gluten testing can vary – more frequent testing provides more assurance.
- Gluten-free status is correct at time of production but recipes may change.
For these reasons, some celiac organizations still advise checking directly with the manufacturer regularly if you are highly sensitive. Understand that products meeting the FDA gluten-free labeling standard are considered very safe for most following gluten-free diets, but not 100% free of the possibility of trace gluten exposure.
Should You Consume Sweet Baby Ray’s Sauce on a Gluten-Free Diet?
Based on all the available information, Sweet Baby Ray’s barbecue sauces appear to be a good option to include as part of a gluten-free diet. Here are some key takeaways:
- Sweet Baby Ray’s clearly labels their sauces as gluten-free and meets FDA guidelines of less than 20ppm gluten.
- No gluten-containing ingredients are used in their sauces.
- Their production facilities and equipment are dedicated gluten-free.
- They periodically test sauces using independent third-party labs.
- Many customers who are gluten-sensitive report no negative reactions after consuming.
For these reasons, most people following a gluten-free diet can safely use Sweet Baby Ray’s barbecue sauces. Individuals with celiac disease who are extremely sensitive are advised to exercise caution and check with their healthcare provider.
Bottom Line
Sweet Baby Ray’s barbecue sauces are considered gluten-free according to both the company and the FDA gluten-free labeling regulations. They state their sauces test below 20ppm gluten, avoiding any wheat, barley, rye or triticale-based ingredients. While a tiny risk of cross-contamination exists in facilities, Sweet Baby Ray’s sauces are generally safe for individuals on gluten-free diets. However, people with celiac disease who cannot tolerate any gluten presence should use caution and consult their doctor before consuming.
