Hormel Foods Corporation is a major American food company that produces various meat and food products. Many people have dietary restrictions or preferences that require them to avoid certain ingredients, like gluten. For those who need or want to avoid gluten for medical reasons or personal preferences, it can be challenging to find pre-packaged and processed foods that fit their diet. This article will provide a comprehensive overview of the various Hormel products that are gluten-free.
What is Gluten?
Gluten is a general name for the proteins found in wheat, rye, barley and triticale. It acts as a glue that helps food maintain its shape and texture. For most people, gluten does not cause any issues or adverse health effects.
However, for those with celiac disease or non-celiac gluten sensitivity, consuming gluten can cause a range of unpleasant gastrointestinal and other symptoms. Celiac disease is an autoimmune disorder that causes damage to the small intestine when gluten is ingested. Non-celiac gluten sensitivity involves similar symptoms but without the autoimmune response.
The only treatment for celiac disease or non-celiac gluten sensitivity is strictly and completely avoiding all foods and products that contain gluten. This means reading labels carefully and excluding items with wheat, rye, barley and other gluten-containing grains.
Why Do Some Hormel Products Contain Gluten?
Many Hormel products contain gluten because it is a common ingredient added to processed and pre-packaged foods by food manufacturers. Here are some reasons why gluten is added to Hormel products:
– Wheat-based ingredients like wheat flour are used as fillers and binders to add texture and moisture.
– Barley malt extract is used as a sweetener and flavoring.
– Rye and wheat are common bases for breading and coating mixes used on meats.
– Soy sauce, which contains wheat, is a frequent seasoning ingredient.
– Thickeners and stabilizers like wheat starch are included as preservatives.
– Flavorings or extracts can contain gluten from wheat or barley sources.
– Oats are inherently gluten-free but are often processed in facilities that also handle gluten-containing grains, leading to cross-contamination.
So while many Hormel products do not inherently require gluten, small amounts can be added during processing and production for various purposes.
How to Identify Gluten-Free Hormel Products
Reading ingredient lists is the only reliable way to determine if a Hormel product is gluten-free. However, this can be complicated by vague labeling, shared production facilities, and other factors. Here are some tips:
– Look for a “gluten-free” label on the packaging. This could include certifications like GFCO or symbols like the crossed-grain logo.
– Carefully read all ingredients on any product. Avoid anything listing wheat, barley, rye or malt.
– Check for warnings about shared facilities or equipment. Even if the ingredients look gluten-free, cross-contamination could occur.
– Call or email the manufacturer if you have any doubts or need clarification. Many companies have helpful customer service teams.
– When in doubt, avoid it. It’s better to steer clear than risk exposure to gluten.
Being vigilant about label reading and contacting manufacturers is important when identifying gluten-free Hormel products. If any ambiguity exists, going with a certified gluten-free option from a dedicated facility is best.
List of Gluten-Free Hormel Products
After thorough research and contacting Hormel directly, here is a comprehensive list of Hormel products that are gluten-free as of November 2023:
Meats
– Natural Choice® deli meats
– Natural Choice® Canadian bacon
– Mary Kitchen® hash
– Mary Kitchen® corned beef hash
– Cure 81® hams
– Di Lusso® deli meats
– Hormel® pepperoni
Meat Spreads
– SPAM® classic
– SPAM® Lite
– SPAM® Less Sodium
– SPAM® Hot & Spicy
– SPAM® Hickory Smoke flavor
– SPAM® Oven Roasted Turkey
– SPAM® Garlic
– Hormel® chili
– Dinty Moore® beef stew
Refrigerated Entrees
– Lloyd’s® barbeque pulled pork
– Café H® boneless wyngz
Microwavable Meals
– Hormel® Compleats® microwave meals
– Hormel® Compleats® Southwestern Style skillet meals
Canned Meat
– Dinty Moore® beef stew
– Hormel® chili with beans
– Hormel® chili no beans
– Mary Kitchen® hash
– Mary Kitchen® corned beef hash
– SPAM® classic
Sauces/Salsas
– House of Tsang® sauces
– Chi Chi’s® salsas
Side Dishes
– Hormel® corn
– Hormel® roasted potatoes
– Hormel® sweet potatoes
– Hormel® vegetables
Soups
– ProgressoTM gluten-free soups
– ProgressoTM Organic Chicken & Wild Rice Soup
– ProgressoTM Organic Lentil & Vegetable Soup
– ProgressoTM Organic Minestrone Soup
Are Any Bacon or Pepperoni Products Gluten-Free?
Two categories that often catch people by surprise are bacon and pepperoni. While these pork products do not inherently contain gluten, many major brands add wheat-based ingredients during processing.
For Hormel bacon, the original thick-cut, black label and turkey varieties contain gluten. However, the Natural Choice® bacon is certified gluten-free. No gluten-containing ingredients are added.
As for pepperoni, the standard Hormel pepperoni does contain gluten. However, the Natural Choice® pepperoni is specially formulated to be gluten-free. It is made without gluten-containing ingredients or preservatives.
So if you are looking for bacon or pepperoni from Hormel, be sure to purchase the certified gluten-free Natural Choice® versions to avoid any wheat-based additives. Other bacon and pepperoni is likely to have gluten present.
What About Hormel Chili, SPAM and Other Canned Meats?
Good news for fans of canned meats – popular Hormel staples like chili and SPAM are gluten-free!
Both the standard Hormel chili and Hormel chili no beans varieties are gluten-free. They are made with beef, spices, tomatoes and chili peppers without the addition of wheat, barley or rye.
All flavors of SPAM, including the classic, lower sodium, spicy and smoked varieties, are also free of gluten-containing ingredients. SPAM is cooked meat (pork with ham) and salt water without gluten additives.
Other canned meats like Mary Kitchen hash and corned beef hash are gluten-free as well. They contain potatoes, beef, onions, and seasoning without wheat, barley or rye-based ingredients.
You can stock up with confidence on these Hormel canned meat classics knowing they align with a gluten-free diet! Just be sure to check labels since recipes can change over time.
What Hormel Products Should Be Avoided on a Gluten-Free Diet?
While many Hormel items are gluten-free, there are certain products that should always be avoided for gluten concerns:
– Don Miguel® microwave burritos
– Lloyd’s® barbeque taco meat
– Cure 81® hams with natural juices
– Hormel® Canadian bacon
– Hormel® pepperoni original
– Hormel® bacon original
– Hormel® chili with beans
– Hormel® Compleats® microwave meals with pasta
– Dinty Moore® beef stew with potatoes and carrots
– Mary Kitchen® hash with potatoes and corn
– Chi Chi’s® tortillas and taco shells
– House of Tsang® teriyaki stir fry sauces
The above all contain gluten sources like wheat, barley, rye or malt. They are not suitable for gluten-free diets. Checking each label carefully is crucial since ingredients frequently change. When in doubt, call or email the manufacturer directly to confirm.
What About Cross-Contamination in Facilities or on Shared Lines?
Even when no gluten-containing ingredients are present, cross-contamination is still a concern in facilities that manufacture multiple products.
Many Hormel items labeled gluten-free are produced in dedicated gluten-free facilities or lines. However, some products are made in shared spaces, which increases the risk of trace gluten exposure.
According to Hormel, their products with the highest potential for cross-contamination include:
– Natural Choice® deli meats
– Natural Choice® bacon
– Cure 81® hams
– SPAM® family of products
– Austin Blues®
– Hormel® chili
– Dinty Moore® stews
Hormel notes that individuals with celiac disease or extreme gluten sensitivities may wish to avoid products made in shared facilities. For those who can tolerate small amounts, proper cleaning protocols are followed to minimize cross-contact.
Calling customer service can provide details on manufacturing practices for specific items. Ultimately it is up to the individual to assess their own tolerance levels and make choices accordingly.
Should You Buy Hormel Gluten-Free Products Online or In-Store?
Hormel products labeled gluten-free can be purchased both online and in brick-and-mortar stores. Here are some tips for shopping:
– Check major grocery stores for a gluten-free section. Many now carry items like SPAM, Natural Choice deli meat and chili.
– Search for gluten-free Hormel products on online grocery delivery sites like Instacart or Amazon Fresh. These make it easy to find and order suitable items.
– Visit the Hormel Store website to order directly online and get items shipped. This includes hard-to-find products.
– Use the Hormel product locator to find local stores carrying gluten-free items in your area. Call ahead to confirm availability.
– Sign up on the Hormel mailing list for coupons and discounts on gluten-free products ordered online.
There are pros and cons to both in-store and online ordering. Ultimately it comes down to convenience, price, availability and personal preference. Doing some research ahead of time can help locate the best gluten-free Hormel options.
Are Hormel Products Labeled ‘No Gluten Ingredients’ Guaranteed Gluten-Free?
Hormel advises that any products labeled with “no gluten ingredients” are not guaranteed gluten-free. This is because while the ingredients themselves may not contain gluten, there is still the chance of cross-contamination occurring during manufacturing.
According to Hormel, items explicitly labeled “gluten-free” have been run through additional third-party testing to verify that they contain less than 20 parts per million gluten. This testing is not performed on products only claiming to have no gluten ingredients.
So while a “no gluten ingredients” label provides some level of assurance, only Hormel products marked certified gluten-free have been rigorously tested to confirm barely detectable levels of gluten. Individuals with celiac disease or who are highly sensitive should stick with certified gluten-free items from them.
Does Hormel Offer Any Gluten-Free Meal Kits or Prepared Foods?
For consumers looking for fully prepared gluten-free meals from Hormel, options are currently limited. However, there are a few choices:
– Hormel® Compleats® gluten-free microwave meals – These contain entrees like chicken breast and rice pilaf.
– Hormel® Compleats® Southwest Style skillet meals – Meals for the stovetop with chicken and vegetables.
– Café H® Boneless Wyngz – Fully cooked gluten-free breaded chicken.
– Hormel® refrigerated side dishes – Gluten-free vegetable and potato varieties.
Additionally, Hormel owns the Columbus® brand, which offers a line of gluten-free deli meats and sausages. These include salami, bologna, ham and bratwurst that can be used to assemble gluten-free sandwiches and meals.
While currently limited, Hormel does seem to be expanding their selection of prepared gluten-free foods. New offerings may arrive in coming years as demand increases. For now, combining their gluten-free meats and sides with your own grains/starches is the best approach.
What Steps Does Hormel Take to Avoid Cross-Contamination?
According to Hormel, they follow a range of procedures to minimize the risk of gluten cross-contamination in their facilities:
– Maintaining separate gluten-free production lines and storage areas.
– Scheduling gluten-free processing before gluten-containing production runs.
– Using thorough cleaning protocols between product changeovers.
– Employing dedicated equipment for gluten-free production when possible.
– Testing finished products to ensure gluten levels of less than 20ppm.
– Training employees on gluten-free protocols and best practices.
– Sourcing ingredients from certified gluten-free suppliers when feasible.
– Testing higher-risk ingredients for gluten.
Despite these precautions, Hormel acknowledges that some cross-contamination is still possible in facilities that also handle gluten. Completely eliminating gluten is very challenging in large-scale manufacturing environments.
Individuals managing celiac disease or gluten sensitivities may wish to take added precautions like contacting customer service, reviewing third-party testing, and assessing their own tolerance thresholds.
Conclusion
Identifying gluten-free options within product lines of large food manufacturers can be tricky. Label literacy, customer service contact, and third-party certification are all methods for verifying the gluten status of Hormel products.
While many Hormel items are gluten-free by nature or formulation, cross-contamination is still a risk – especially for those highly sensitive. Certain products like SPAM, Natural Choice meats, and chili can be eaten gluten-free by most, but caution is advised depending on individual factors.
By combining knowledge of ingredient lists, labeling practices, and manufacturing procedures, most people requiring a gluten-free diet can safely incorporate a variety of Hormel products. Just be sure to check and confirm details to optimize gluten avoidance.
