Quick Answer
Yes, Tabasco is gluten-free. Tabasco sauce is made from distilled vinegar, red pepper, and salt, none of which contain gluten. The Tabasco company states that all of their sauces are gluten-free. Tabasco sauce is generally considered safe for people with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity.
Ingredients in Tabasco Sauce
The original Tabasco sauce only contains three ingredients:
- Distilled Vinegar
- Red Pepper
- Salt
None of these ingredients contain gluten. Here is a breakdown of each ingredient:
Distilled White Vinegar
Distilled vinegar is made from the fermentation of distilled alcohol. The gluten protein is too large to carry over in the distillation process, so distilled vinegar is inherently gluten-free. All major brands of distilled white vinegar are gluten-free.
Red Pepper
Fresh red chili peppers do not contain gluten. The gluten protein is only found in grains like wheat, barley, and rye. Peppers are part of the nightshade family and are naturally gluten-free.
Salt
Salt is naturally gluten-free as well. Table salt or sodium chloride contains just two elements – sodium and chloride. It does not contain any protein, let alone gluten. Salts mined from the earth or harvested from salt water do not have contact with gluten-containing grains.
So with distilled vinegar, red pepper, and salt, Tabasco sauce avoids the major allergens and irritants like gluten, dairy, nuts, etc. That’s why it has such widespread appeal for those with dietary restrictions.
Tabasco Company’s Stance on Gluten
The McIlhenny Company, maker of Tabasco products, plainly states on their website FAQ that Tabasco sauces are gluten-free:
“Yes, all TABASCO® Sauce products are gluten free. TABASCO® Sauce is made from distilled vinegar, red pepper and salt.”
They have reviewed their manufacturing processes and verified that none of their ingredients or processes introduce any gluten along the way. Their plain assurance provides peace of mind for Tabasco users with celiac disease or non-celiac gluten sensitivity.
Other hot sauce brands may add thickening agents like wheat flour or maltodextrin derived from wheat. But Tabasco does not use any starch, flour, or grain-based additives. Their original sauce has always been a simple classic blend with no extra additives.
Certifications
Tabasco’s website states that their products are gluten-free and their manufacturing processes are GFCO (Gluten-Free Certification Organization) certified.
The GFCO is a program of UL, an independent safety science organization. Food manufacturing facilities that achieve GFCO certification have passed audits to verify that their foods are produced to a gluten-free standard of less than 10 parts per million of gluten.
Though they don’t label their products as “Certified Gluten-Free” or use the GFCO logo on-package, Tabasco follows the standards required for GFCO certification in their facilities.
No Risk of Cross-Contamination
In addition to gluten-free ingredients, Tabasco has taken steps to avoid cross-contamination with gluten:
- Facilities follow GFCO certification standards
- Employee training on allergen controls
- Separate storage and processing lines for gluten-containing vs. gluten-free ingredients
- Testing of surfaces for gluten residues
- Full sanitation protocols between product changeovers
Their primary manufacturing facility is located on Avery Island in Louisiana where they grow their own peppers and produce the mash. This controls gluten exposure from the very start of the process.
Varieties
The original Tabasco sauce recipe relies on time to ferment and age the mash of peppers, vinegar, and salt. But they have created some other varieties that add additional ingredients:
| Tabasco Variety | Gluten-Free Status |
|---|---|
| Original Red Sauce | Gluten-Free |
| Green Pepper Sauce | Gluten-Free |
| Chipotle Sauce | Gluten-Free |
| Buffalo Style | Gluten-Free |
| Habenero Sauce | Gluten-Free |
| Sweet & Spicy | Gluten-Free |
| Garlic Pepper Sauce | Gluten-Free |
| Sriracha Sauce | Gluten-Free |
| Jalapeno Sauce | Gluten-Free |
All the Tabasco brand sauces and flavors produced by McIlhenny Company are gluten-free. As long as you are consuming a product manufactured by the original company based on Avery Island, you can be confident it is gluten-free.
They do license their name to some other companies to produce Tabasco flavored products. You would need to check with the manufacturer if it is not made by McIlhenny Company directly.
What About Imitation Tabasco or Generic Hot Sauces?
Other hot sauces try to imitate the Tabasco flavor profile. These would always need careful label review since they likely contain different ingredients. Some key considerations:
- Check for wheat, barley, rye or malt ingredients
- Avoid thickeners like wheat flour
- Ensure vinegar is distilled, not malt vinegar
- Look for a gluten-free or allergen label statement
- When in doubt, call the manufacturer
For maximum safety, purchase those made by the original McIlhenny Company on Avery Island. Their manufacturing process avoids cross-contact and the product lines clearly state gluten-free status.
Is Tabasco Safe for Celiac Disease and Gluten Sensitivity?
Yes, Tabasco sauce and their full product line are considered safe for those with celiac disease and non-celiac gluten sensitivity when consuming the versions manufactured by McIlhenny Company on Avery Island.
Celiac disease is an autoimmune condition that is triggered by the gluten protein. The immune system attacks the small intestine when gluten is present. In a person with celiac, consuming even trace amounts of gluten can cause damage to the intestinal villi and lead to malabsorption.
Non-celiac gluten sensitivity (NCGS) refers to those who do not have celiac disease but still experience gastrointestinal issues and other symptoms when consuming gluten. These individuals also need to follow a strictly gluten-free diet.
The amount of gluten allowed on the gluten-free diet as per the FDA is less than 20 parts per million. Tabasco adheres to the more stringent GFCO standard of less than 10 ppm of gluten in their finished products. Their processing controls, testing protocols, employee training, and production facilities meet certification standards to prevent any gluten cross-contact.
Celiacs and those with NCGS can use Tabasco with confidence that it falls well below the FDA and GFCO standards for gluten-free certification.
Recommendations for Safe Use
Here are tips for safely using Tabasco sauce if you need to avoid gluten:
- Check bottle labels and only use those labeled “Tabasco Brand”
- Look for the McIlhenny Company, Avery Island, Louisiana as the manufacturer
- Avoid generic or imitation brands
- Call company if uncertain about an ingredient
- Check labels each time you buy since recipes can change
- Avoid using the same Tabasco bottle as others in household with gluten diet
- Purchase your own dedicated bottle or put a small portion in a separate container
- Avoid recipes where Tabasco is combined with gluten ingredients
Being vigilant about label reading and using dedicated containers reduces the chance of any accidental exposure.
Can I Use Tabasco Sauce on a Gluten-Free Diet?
Yes, those following a gluten-free diet for medical reasons can safely use Tabasco brand sauces according to both the company and consumer reports.
The gluten-free diet completely excludes gluten, which is found in grains like wheat, barley and rye. This means avoiding foods and ingredients containing:
- Bread
- Pasta
- Cereal
- Beer
- Foods cooked in shared oil
- Thickened sauces
- Soup bases
- Flavored chips
Pure Tabasco sauce has none of the above risks. It can help add flavor to naturally gluten-free foods like:
- Meats
- Fish
- Eggs
- Rice
- Potatoes
- Vegetables
- Fruits
- Beans
Use it to spice up your homemade salad dressings, marinades, sauces, etc. Tabasco is a versatile condiment for the gluten-free diet.
Dining Out with Tabasco
Bringing your own Tabasco sauce is a good strategy when eating out at restaurants. Use it to add flavor to naturally gluten-free foods. Avoid dishes with breaded, thickened or wheat-based sides.
If the restaurant stocks Tabasco on their tables, ask if it is a dedicated bottle. Many eateries now keep gluten-free soy sauce, hot sauces, etc separate to avoid cross-contact for those with allergies and celiac.
Cooking and Baking with Tabasco
Pure Tabasco sauce can safely be used as an ingredient in home cooking and baking. It mixes well into dressings, marinades, soups and stews. Feel free to incorporate it into gluten-free recipes for added heat and vinegar tang.
Avoid baking mixes with wheat-based thickeners. Always check your other ingredients for gluten, especially flours, starches and seasoning blends which can contain hidden gluten.
Prepare gluten-free dishes first, then add Tabasco sauce to personal portions to prevent cross-contact from serving utensils.
Is Tabasco Safe for a Wheat Allergy?
Yes, Tabasco is safe for those with a wheat allergy as it does not contain wheat as an ingredient. The vinegar and peppers are naturally wheat-free.
Those with a wheat allergy must also steer clear of barley, rye, and foods that have been cross-contaminated with wheat during processing. So the same precautions apply in purchasing certified brands produced in dedicated facilities.
Bottom Line
Tabasco Original and their full line of hot sauces produced by McIlhenny Company on Avery Island are gluten-free and safe for celiacs and gluten-sensitive individuals. They contain naturally gluten-free ingredients of distilled vinegar, red pepper and salt.
Tabasco adheres to strict standards to avoid any gluten cross-contact in their facilities. They state all their products are gluten-free on their website FAQ. While not certified, their production plants meet the protocols for GFCO certification of less than 10ppm gluten.
Stick to bottles clearly marked Tabasco Brand and Made in Louisiana for assurance of no gluten exposure. Tabasco sauce adds great flavor to marinades, dressings and all types of gluten-free cooking.