Quick Answers
Most Haagen Daz ice cream flavors do not contain gluten. However, some flavors may contain trace amounts of gluten from cookie pieces or other ingredients. Individuals with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity should check the ingredient list for each flavor to confirm gluten content. Haagen Daz does clearly label products that contain gluten.
About Haagen Daz Ice Cream
Haagen Dazs is an American ice cream brand that was founded in 1960 by Reuben and Rose Mattus. The name is meant to evoke European origins, although the company is based in the United States.
Haagen Dazs helped pioneer the rise of premium ice cream by using high quality ingredients like cream, milk, and eggs. Their ice cream has a smooth, creamy texture and robust flavor.
Today, Haagen Dazs is owned by Nestle and offers a wide variety of ice cream flavors and products including:
- Ice cream pints
- Ice cream bars
- Novelties like ice cream sandwiches
- Sorbet
- Frozen yogurt
- Gelato
They sell their products in grocery stores, ice cream shops, and online. Haagen Dazs has a global presence with popularity in the United States, Europe, Asia, the Middle East and beyond.
Ingredients in Haagen Dazs
The primary ingredients in Haagen Dazs ice cream include:
- Cream
- Milk
- Sugar
- Egg yolks
- Natural flavorings like vanilla extract
These simple, high quality ingredients give Haagen Dazs its signature creamy texture and pure flavor.
Many flavors also contain inclusions like chocolate chips, cookies, caramel, nuts, or fruit. These mix-ins contribute additional flavors and textures.
Gluten in the Haagen Dazs Production Process
Gluten is a protein found in grains like wheat, barley, and rye. People with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity need to avoid consuming gluten, as it can cause serious health issues for them.
The standard Haagen Dazs ice cream base is made in a gluten-free facility and does not contain any gluten-based ingredients. So the foundations like cream, milk, sugar and eggs are gluten-free.
However, Haagen Dazs does make some flavors using cookies, baked goods or cereals that may contain gluten. They also purchase some inclusions like cookie dough or pie crust from external suppliers. These could introduce gluten into certain varieties.
Any equipment used to process gluten is thoroughly cleaned before switching to gluten-free production. But there is still a small risk of cross-contamination from shared equipment.
So people with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity need to be cautious and check labels of Haagen Dazs flavors carefully.
Gluten-Free Haagen Dazs Flavors
Many Haagen Dazs ice cream flavors are labeled as gluten-free:
- Vanilla
- Chocolate
- Strawberry
- Coffee
- Rocky Road
- Mint Chip
- Cookies and Cream
- Caramel Cone
- Cherry Vanilla
- Coconut
These varieties are made without any gluten-containing ingredients. Haagen Dazs does extensive testing to ensure products labeled gluten-free contain less than 20ppm of gluten.
Some flavors are potentially gluten-free, but not certified or tested as gluten-free by Haagen Dazs. These include basics like Chocolate Peanut Butter and more unique flavors like Ginger.
Non Gluten-Free Haagen Dazs Flavors
Haagen Dazs clearly labels flavors that contain gluten with the term “Contains Wheat” under the ingredients.
Some examples of Haagen Dazs flavors that contain gluten include:
- Belgian Chocolate Cookie
- Chocolate Salted Fudge Truffle
- Cookies and Cream Cookie Squares
- Rocky Road Brownie
- Oreo Cookies and Cream
- Brownie Batter
- Caramel Cone Pieces
- Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookie Squares
- S’mores
- Strawberry Shortcake
These flavors contain gluten from ingredients like cookie pieces, brownie bits, pie crust and biscuit inclusions. Those with celiac disease or gluten intolerance need to avoid these specific varieties.
Some limited edition and seasonal releases may also contain gluten. So it’s important to check the label on every Haagen Dazs purchase to see if gluten is present.
Risk of Cross-Contamination
Even flavors that do not contain any gluten ingredients are at a small risk of cross-contamination at Haagen Dazs facilities.
While equipment and surfaces are thoroughly cleaned between processing gluten and gluten-free products, trace amounts could still get transferred.
Haagen Dazs does not claim their products are 100% gluten-free or free of cross-contamination risks.
So there is a slight chance even the gluten-free flavors could have trace gluten amounts under 20ppm. Individual sensitivity levels vary in terms of how much gluten can be safely consumed.
The highest risk products are those made on shared equipment right after gluten-containing flavors. Flavors produced at the start of a run have lower contamination risks.
Haagen Dazs and Gluten-Free Certification
Haagen Dazs ice cream is not certified gluten-free by any third-party organization like the Gluten-Free Certification Organization (GFCO).
They adhere to FDA guidelines of labeling products with less than 20ppm of gluten as “gluten-free”. All products clearly list allergens like wheat in the ingredients.
But those with celiac disease and high gluten sensitivity may want the additional assurance of a GFCO certification mark from a brand.
Some competitor brands like Ben and Jerry’s, Breyers and Talenti do have certified gluten-free flavors. So consumers with greater concerns over cross-contamination may prefer those options.
Precautions for Celiacs and Gluten Sensitivity
Here are some tips for those with celiac disease or gluten intolerance to eat Haagen Dazs safely:
- Check the ingredient list carefully every time, even for flavors you have eaten before. Formulations can change over time.
- Look for the label “Contains Wheat” or other gluten grains like barley or rye.
- Stick to flavors labeled as gluten-free by Haagen Dazs for more assurance.
- Be extra cautious of products with cookie dough inclusions or other high-risk mix-ins.
- Those with celiac disease or high sensitivity may want to avoid Haagen Dazs altogether due to cross-contamination risks.
- Enjoy your ice cream immediately after opening. Don’t store open containers, to avoid introducing crumbs from shared spoons or ice cream scoops.
- Check with your doctor if concerned about trace gluten intake from potential cross-contamination.
Being an informed consumer and closely monitoring labels is key for anyone needing to eat gluten-free.
Checking Labels on Haagen Dazs Products
Reading the ingredient label is the only way to truly tell if a particular Haagen Dazs product contains gluten.
Here are some things to look for:
- Scan for mentions of wheat, barley, rye, malt or oats. These grains contain gluten.
- See if the label says “Contains Wheat” or other gluten grains. This is required for any product with those ingredients.
- Look for precautionary statements like “May contain wheat” or “Made in a facility that also processes wheat.” These signal cross-contamination risks.
- Review the allergen statement for mentions of gluten sources. In the U.S., this is usually near the ingredient list.
- Don’t just look at the front label marketing claims. Always check the detailed ingredient and allergen info.
Reading labels takes just a moment compared to the potential consequences of accidentally consuming gluten. Get in the habit of double checking every Haagen Dazs purchase.
Enjoying Haagen Dazs Gluten-Free
While not every Haagen Dazs flavor may be suitable for gluten-free diets, there are still ample delicious options to enjoy!
Focus on certified gluten-free flavors like vanilla, chocolate, strawberry, mint chip, and coconut. Or check ingredient lists to confirm your favorites are gluten-free.
Some easy ways to enjoy Haagen Dazs include:
- By the spoonful straight from the pint
- In a bowl with fresh fruit and toppings like nuts or whipped cream
- In an ice cream cone or cup
- Blended into a milkshake
- Layered with gluten-free brownies or cookies for an ice cream sandwich
- Swirled into gluten-free waffles or pancakes
With so many flavor choices, you can find endless ways to indulge in creamy Haagen Dazs ice cream without gluten. Be sure to check labels carefully and contact the company with any questions.
Contacting Haagen Dazs About Gluten
If you have specific questions about gluten content in Haagen Dazs products, you can contact their consumer relations team:
- Phone: 1-800-767-0120
- Online contact form: https://www.haagendazs.us/contact-us.html
- Mailing Address:
Haagen-Dazs
Consumer Relations
P.O. Box 7850
Kankakee, IL 60901
You can inquire about:
- Gluten testing policies and procedures
- Risk of cross-contamination for flavors labeled gluten-free
- Whether certain ingredients or mix-ins contain gluten
- Plans to pursue gluten-free certification in the future
- Any other questions related to enjoying Haagen Dazs with gluten intolerance or celiac disease
Haagen Dazs may not be able to guarantee 100% gluten-free status. But their consumer relations team can provide helpful information to improve awareness and safety.
The Bottom Line
Most Haagen Dazs flavors are gluten-free, but some varieties do contain gluten from ingredients like cookies. Carefully checking ingredient lists is important, as formulations can change over time. There is also a minor risk of cross-contamination for flavors made on shared equipment. Overall, Haagen Dazs provides ample delicious gluten-free options with proper label reading and precautions for those sensitive to gluten. Sticking to certified gluten-free flavors provides more assurance.
