Food Ingredients

A longer list of ingredients may be found in our Ingredient Checker Tool which is part of the Windows and Mac versions of our food SmartList. Vegetarian info included in this list is for those who follow a lacto-ovo diet. Dairy products and eggs are allowed, as are the following: honey, beeswax, royal jelly, shellac, propolis and lanolin.

A

Agar agar: Gluten free: Yes. Vegetarian: Yes. Comments: Derived from different species of red algae.
Agave: Gluten free: Yes. Vegetarian: Yes. Comments: Derived from the Agave plant.
Algin (Alginic Acid): Gluten free: Yes. Vegetarian: Yes. Comments: Derived from marine algae.
Amaranth: Gluten free: Yes. Vegetarian: Yes.
Ambergris: Gluten free: Yes. Vegetarian No. Comments: Derived from whale intestines.
Amylase: Gluten free: Unknown. Vegetarian: Unknown. Comments: May be derived from barley, fungus, bacteria, or pigs.
Amylopectin: Gluten free: Yes. Vegetarian: Yes. Comments: This is a starch found in certain rices.
Amylose: Gluten free: Yes. Vegetarian: Yes. Comments: A starch found in certain rices.
Annatto color: Gluten free: Yes. Vegetarian: Yes. Comments: Derived from the seed of the Annatto tree.
Arrowroot Starch: Gluten free: Yes. Vegetarian: Yes.
Artificial Flavor: Gluten free: Yes. Vegetarian: Yes. Comment: The FDA states that artificial flavorings may not be derived from meat - fish - poultry - eggs - dairy products -fermentation products - fruits - vegetables - edible yeasts - herbs or plant material.
Atta flour: Gluten Free: No. Vegetarian: Yes. Comments: Made from a type of wheat.
Avena Sativa Extract: Gluten free: No. Vegetarian: Yes. Comments: This extract comes from oats.
Avidin: Gluten free: Yes. Vegetarian: Yes. Comments: Derived from eggs.

B

Baking powder: Gluten free: Unknown. Vegetarian: Yes. Comment: May contain a starch derived from a wheat source.
Benzoic Acid: Gluten free: Yes. Vegetarian: Yes.
BHA: Gluten free: Yes. Vegetarian: Yes. Comment: This is a petroleum derivitive.
BHT: Gluten free: Yes. Vegetarian: Yes.
Bouillon: Gluten free: Unknown. Vegetarian: Unknown. Comments: Check sources of hydrolyzed vegetable protein – starch – dextrin and natural flavors for gluten. May contain animal derived ingredients.
Brewer's Yeast: Gluten free: Unknown. Vegetarian: Unknown. Comment: May be a byproduct of the brewing industry and contain gluten. Can also be made from sugar. Check source.
Brown sugar: Gluten free: Yes. Vegetarian: Unknown. Comments: No residual proteins remain in glucose syrup after processing.
Buckwheat: Gluten free: Yes. Vegetarian: Yes. Comments: Despite its name, this is a member of the asparagus family, NOT the wheat family. It is gluten free, but should be checked since it's often sold as a blend of buckwheat and wheat.
Bulgur: Gluten free: No. Vegetarian: Yes. Comments: A form of wheat.

C

Calcium Chloride: Gluten free: Yes. Vegetarian: Yes. Comment: May be commercially obtained as a byproduct in the ammonia-soda (Solvay) process and as a joint product from natural salt brines - or it may be prepared by substitution reactions with other calcium and chloride salts.
Calcium Lactate: Gluten free: Yes. Vegetarian: Yes. Comment: It is prepared commercially by the neutralization of lactic acid with calcium carbonate or calcium hydroxide. In the US - lactic acid can be produced from glucose - sucrose - or lactose.
Calcium Pantothenate: Gluten free: Yes. Vegetarian: Yes. Comments: Commercial calcium pantothenate is prepared synthetically from isobutyraldehyde and formaldehyde.
Calcium Phosphate: Gluten free: Yes. Vegetarian: Yes. Comments: Commercial phosphate is not made from bones.
Caramel Color: Gluten free: Unknown. Vegetarian: Yes. Comments: Can be made from barley malt - starch hydrolysates - lactose or other ing. Aceept for alcohol manufacturers, we could not find any US manufacturers who use gluten containing ingredients.
Carrageenan: Gluten free: Yes. Vegetarian: Yes. Comments: This ingredient is derived from various types of red seaweed.
Catalase: Gluten free: Yes. Vegetarian: Unknown. Comments: An enzyme derived from bovine liver or from fungus.
Cellulose Gum: Gluten free: Yes. Vegetarian: Yes.
Citric Acid: Gluten free: Yes. Vegetarian: Yes. Comment: May be produced by recovery from sources such as lemon or pineapple juice; by mycological fermentation; and by a solvent extraction process from Aspergillus niger fermentation liquor.
Clarifying agents: Gluten free: Unknown. Vegetarian: Unknown. Commnets: May be derived from hydrolyzed wheat gluten, fish, animals or other ingredients.
Cochineal: Gluten free: Yes. Vegetarian: No. Comments: Derived from insects.
Corn sweetener: Gluten free: Yes. Vegetarian: Yes.
Corn Syrup Solids: Gluten free: Yes. Vegetarian: Yes.
Couscous: Gluten free: No. Vegetarain: Yes. Comments: This is a type of wheat pasta cooked like a grain.

D

Dates: Gluten free: Unknown. Vegetarian: Yes. Comments: Watch out for dates that have been dusted with oats to keep them from sticking.
Demineralized Whey: Gluten free: Yes. Vegetarian: Yes.
Dextran Gluten free: Yes. Vegetarian: Unknown.
Dextrin: Gluten free: Unknown. Vegetarian: Yes. Comments: Almost always made from corn but can be made from wheat. Beginning on January 1, 2006 the new US labeling law will require that wheat be declared on the label if it is the source of the dextrin.

E

Edible Films & Coatings: Gluten free: Unknown. Vegetarian: Unknown. Comments: Can be derived from shellac - carbohydrate based ingredients - proteins like corn zein - whey or soy - gelatin - collagen or wheat.
Einkorn: Gluten free: No. Vegetarian: Yes. Comments: This grain is related to wheat and should be avoided.
Emmer: Gluten free: No. Vegetarian: Yes. Comments: This is variety of wheat.
Emulsifiers: Gluten free: Unknown. Vegetarian: Unknown. Comments: May be derived from a gluten containing grain. Widely used emulsifiers include lecithin - polysorbate 60 and mono and di-glycerides. May be derived from an animal source.
Enzymes: Gluten free: Unknown. Vegetarain: Unknown. May be derived from gluten containing grains or other vegetable matter or animals.

F

Fat Replacers: Gluten free: Unknown. Vegetarian: Yes. Comments: May be derived from carbohydrate - protein - or fat based ingredients including gluten containing grains and animal derived sources. When animal derived ingredients are used they are dairy or egg.
Filler: Gluten free: Unknown. Vegetarian: Unknown. Comments: May be derived from gluten containing grains. May be derived from meat byproducts.
Fructose: Gluten free: Yes. Vegetarian: Yes.
Fu: Gluten free: No. Vegetarian: Yes. Comments: This is a dried and puffed form of wheat gluten used in soups and stews.
Fumaric Acid: Gluten free: Yes. Vegetarian: Yes.

G

Gluconolactone: Gluten free: Yes. Vegetarian: Yes. Comments: Also called delta-gluconolactone, D-delta-gluconolactone, glucono-gamma-lactone, beta-glucono-1,5-lactone, or D-glucon-1,5-lactone. This is a nondairy coagulant derived from cornstarch.
Glutinous Rice: Gluten free: Yes. Vegetarian: Yes. Comments: "Glutinous" means "gummy" or "sticky" and doesn't refer to gluten.
Glycerin: Gluten free: Yes. Vegetarian: Unknown. Comments: May be plant or animal derived, or it can be synthetic.
Graham flour: Gluten Free: No. Vegetarian: Yes. Comment: A wheat flour.
Gram Flour: Gluten Free: Yes. Vegetarian: Yes. Comment: Chickpea flour.
Groats: Gluten free: No. Vegetarian: Yes. Comments: This is the hulled and crushed grain of various cereals such as wheat, oats, or buckwheat.
Guar Gum: Gluten free: Yes. Vegetarian: Yes. Comments: Gluten free, but can have a laxative effect on some people.
Gum Acacia: Gluten free: Yes. Vegetarian: Yes.
Gum Arabic: Gluten free: Yes. Vegetarian: Yes.

H

Hordeum Vulgare Extract: Gluten free: No. Vegetarian: Yes. Comments: Derived from barley.
Hydrolyzed Meat Protein: Gluten free: Yes. Vegetarian: No.
Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein: Gluten free: Unknown. Vegetarian: Yes. Comments: The Code of Federal Regs. states that the common name of a protein hydrolysate must include the identity of the food source from which the protein was derived: i.e. the label must state 'hydrolyzed wheat gluten' not 'hydrolyzed vegetable protein'.
Hydroxypropyl cellulose: Gluten free: Yes. Vegetarian: Yes.

I

Illepe: Gluten free: Yes. Vegetarian: Yes. Comments: This fat product is derived from different Shorea plants.
Inulin: Gluten free: Yes. Vegetarian: Yes. Comments: Most inulin commercially available on the industrial food ingredient market today is either synthesized from sucrose or extracted from chicory roots. Can also be derived from Jerusalem artichokes.
Invert Sugar: Gluten free: Yes. Vegetarian: Yes.
Isomalt: Gluten free: Yes. Vegetarian: Yes. Comment: This sweetener is gluten free in spite of its name.

K

Kamut: Gluten free: No. Vegetarian: Yes. Comments: This grain is related to wheat so it should be avoided.
Ketchup: Gluten free: Unknown. Vegetarian: Unknown. Comments: Check natural flavorings for gluten.

L

Lactic Acid: Gluten free: Yes. Vegetarian: Yes.
Lactose: Gluten free: Yes. Vegetarian: Yes.
Lard: Gluten free: Yes. Vegetarian: No.
Lipase: Gluten free: Yes. Vegetarian: Unknown. Comments: This enzyme may be derived from the tongue or stomach of animals or from fungi or yeast.

M

Magnesium Hydroxide: Gluten free: Yes. Vegetarian: Yes.
Malt or Malt Flavoring: Gluten free: No. Vegetarian: Yes. Comments: The terms 'malt extract' or 'malt syrup' unqualified are applied only to products prepared from barley. If any other malted grain is used - the extract/syrup may be designated by a specific name such as 'extract of malted barley and corn.'
Malted Milk: Gluten free: Unknown. Vegetarian: Yes. Comments: May contain gluten.
Maltodextrin: Gluten free: Yes. Vegetarian: Yes. Comments: Unless otherwise stated on the label - maltodextrin is made from corn starch - potato starch or rice starch according to the FDA. If wheat is used in the manufacture of maltodextrin the label must read wheat maltodextrin.
Maltol: Gluten free: Yes. Vegetarian: Yes. Comments: Derived synthetically or from plants. It does not contain either malt or gluten.
Mannitol: Gluten free: Yes. Vegetarian: Yes. Comments: Commercially produced by the electrolytic reduction or transition of sugar solutions or by fermentation of sugars. Can be produced from maltose. Although maltose is derived from barley - mannitol is refined so no protein remains in the final product.
Meringue: Gluten free: Unknown. Vegetarian: Unknown. Comments: May contain gluten.
Meripro 711: Gluten free: No. Vegetarian: Yes. Comment: An emulsifying wheat protein.
Millet: Gluten free: Yes. Vegetarian: Yes.
Modified Starch or Modified Food Starch: Gluten free: Unknown. Vegetarian: Yes. Comments: Only use arrowroot, corn, maize, potato, tapioca.
Mono- and Diglycerides: Gluten free: Unknown. Vegetarian: Unknown. Comments: This ingredient is GF but may contain a wheat carrier. If it does - it must state it on the label. Most major manufacturers do not use a carrier. Vegetable oil is often used to make this ing. because it is cheaper but animal fats can't be excluded.
Monosodium Glutamate: Gluten free: Yes. Vegetarian: Yes.
Monostearates: Gluten free: Yes. Vegetarian: Unknown. Comments: May be derived from animal or vegetable fats or prepared synthetically.
Myristic acid: Gluten free: Yes. Vegetarian: Unknown. Comments: May be animal derived.

N

Natural flavors: Gluten free: Unknown. Vegetarian: Unknown. Comments: Can be derived from a variety of plant material but highly likely to be gluten free especially when used in meat products. May be animal derived.
Natural Juices: Gluten free: Unknown. Vegetarian: Unknown. Comments: Can mean Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein. May be derived from animal ingredients.
Niacin-Niacinamide: Gluten free: Yes. Vegetarian: Yes. Comments: It is produced synthetically for commercial use.
Nitrates: Gluten free: Yes. Vegetarian: Yes.

O

Oleic acid: Gluten free: Yes. Vegetarian: Unknown. Comments: May be animal or vegetable derived.
Orzo: Gluten free: No. Vegetarian: Yes. Comments: This is a wheat pasta.

P

Palmitate- Vitamin A: Gluten free: Yes. Vegetarian: Unknown. Comments: The palmitate ester of retinol. It is prepared by esterifying retinol with palmitic acid. May be derived from fish.
Palmitic acid: Gluten free: Yes. Vegetarian: Unknown. Comments: May be animal or vegetable derived.
Pasteruized Cheese Spreads: Gluten free: Unknown. Vegetarian: Unknown. Comments: May contain gluten.
Pectinase: Gluten free: Yes. Vegetarian: Yes. Comments: An enzyme derived from some fruits or from fungus.
Pepsin: Gluten free: Yes. Vegetarian: No. Comments: Derived from slaughterhouse wastes.
Pickles: Gluten free: Unknown. Vegetarian: Unknown. Comments: May contain gluten.
Polyethelene Glycol: Gluten free: Yes. Vegetarian: Yes. Comments: This is a synthethic ingredient.
Polyglycerol esters of fatty acids: Gluten free: Yes. Vegetarian: Unknown. Comments: May be prepared from various vegetable oils - lard or tallow and the fatty acids derived from those substances. A mixture of stearic - oleic and coconut fatty acids may be used.
Potassium Iodide: Gluten free: Yes. Vegetarian: Unknown.
Propyl gallate: Gluten free: Yes. Vegetarian: Yes.
Protease: Gluten free: Yes. Vegetarian: Unknown: Comments: An enzyme derived from animal, vegetable, bacteria or fungus.

Q

Quinoa: Gluten free: Yes. Vegetarian: Yes.

R

Rennet: Gluten free: Yes. Vegetarian: Unknown. Comments: Can be derived from the fourth stomoachs of calves - kids lambs or derived through chymosin preparation (fermentation-derived).
Riboflavin: Gluten free: Yes. Vegetarian: Unknown. Comments: Crystallized from 2 N acetic acid - alcohol - water - or pyridine. It may be prepared by chemical synthesis -biosynthetically by the organism Eremothecium ashbyii or isolated from natural sources which include animal sources.
Rice Syrup: Gluten free: Unknown. Vegetarian: Yes. Comments: May contain barley malt.
Rice: Gluten free: Yes. Vegetarian: Yes.
Roux: Gluten free: Unknown. Vegetarian: Unknown. Comments: This is a mixture of fat and flour used as a thickener. Check the source of flour and fat.

S

Seafood Analogs: Gluten free: Unknown. Vegetarian: No. Comments: May contain gluten.
Seitan: Gluten free: No. Vegetarian: Yes. Comments: Made from wheat gluten.
Semolina: Gluten free: No. Vegetarian: Yes. Comments: Coarsely ground durum wheat.
Shea: Gluten free: Yes. Vegetarian: Yes. Comments: This fat product is derived from the Shea tree.
Sirimi: Gluten free: Unknown. Vegetarian: No. Comments: Imitation seafood created with a starch binder. Sometimes it's cornstarch - but usually it's wheat.
Sodium Ascorbate-Ascorbic Acid: Gluten free: Yes. Vegetarian: Yes.
Sodium Benzoate: Gluten free: Yes. Vegetarian: Yes.
Sodium Citrate: Gluten free: Yes. Vegetarian: Yes.
Sodium Nitrate: Gluten free: Yes. Vegetarian: Yes.
Sodium Silaco Aluminate: Gluten free: Yes. Vegetarian: Yes.
Sodium stearoyl lactylate: Gluten free: Yes. Vegetarian: Unknown. Comments: Derived from animal/mineral or vegetable/mineral.
Sorghum flour: Gluten free: Yes. Vegetarian: Yes.
Soy Sauce and Soy Sauce Solids: Gluten free: Unknown. Vegetarian: Unknown. Comments: May contain wheat.
Spelt: Gluten free: No. Vegetarian: Yes. Comments: This grain is related to wheat and is NOT gluten free.
Stabilizers: Gluten free: Unknown. Vegetarian: Unknown. Comments: May be derived from or contain wheat - rye - oats or barley. May be derived from rennet or chymosin.
Starch: Gluten free: Unknown. Vegetarian: Yes. Comments: When listed on a US food manufacturer's ingredient list, it can only be cornstarch. Not necessarily true for drugs.
Stearic acid: Gluten free: Yes. Vegetarian: Unknown. Comments: Occurs naturally as a glyceride in tallow and other animal/ vegetable fats and oils. It's produced commercially from hydrolyzed tallow derived from edible sources or from hydrolyzed completely hydrogenated vegetable oil derived from edible sources.
Sucrose: Gluten free: Yes. Vegetarian: Yes.
Suet: Gluten free: Unknown. Vegetarian: No. Comments: May be coated with wheat starch when dried. The hard fat around the kidneys and loins in beef and mutton.

T

Tallow: Gluten free: Yes. Vegetarian: No. Comments: Derived from an animal source.
Tapioca Starch: Gluten free: Yes. Vegetarian: Yes.
Teff: Gluten free: Yes. Vegetarian: Yes.
Textured Vegetable Protein (TVP): Gluten free: Yes. Vegetarian: Yes. Comments: Made from soy.
Tri-Calcium Phosphate: Gluten free: Yes. Vegetarian: Yes.
Triticale: Gluten free: No. Vegetarian: Yes. Comments: This grain is a cross between wheat and rye and is NOT gluten free.
Triticum Vulgare: Gluten free: No. Vegetarian: Yes. Comments: This is another name for wheat germ oil.

U

Udon: Gluten free: Unknown. Vegetarian: Yes. Comments: These Japanese noodles are made from wheat or corn.

V

Vanillan: Gluten free: Yes. Vegetarian: Yes.
Vegetable Broth: Gluten free: Unknown. Vegetarian: Unknown. Comments: May contain gluten.
Vegetable Gum: Gluten free: Unknown. Vegetarian: Yes. Comments: You can use carob bean, cellulose gum, guar gum, gun acacia, gum arabic, locust bean gum, tragacanth, and xanthan gum.
Vegetable Protein: Gluten free: Unknown. Vegetarian: Yes. Comments: Don't use unless it specifies it's from corn or soy.
Veined Cheeses: Gluten free: Unknown. Vegetarian: Unknown. Comments: Some veined cheeses like Roquefort, blue cheese, Gorgonzola, and Stilton may use a cultured blue mold that could be of bread origin.
Vinegar (all except Malt): Gluten free: Yes. Vegetarian: Yes. Comments: All vinegar except Malt vinegar is distilled. Even when gluten containing grains are used as the starting mash in alcohol, the protein can't get into the final product and the resultant liquid should be gluten free unless a gluten-containing additive is inserted after the distillation process. Malt vinegars are fermented and are not gluten free. Those who want to avoid vinegars made from gluten containing grains can use apple cider vinegar, balsamic vinegar and wine vinegars.
Vitamin B-12: Gluten free: Yes. Vegetarian: Yes. Comments: Also known as cyanocobalamin. This vitamin is produced commercially from cultures of Streptomyces griseus.

W

Whey: Gluten free: Yes. Vegetarian: Yes. Comments: The watery material that remains after most of the protein and fat have been removed from milk during the cheese-making process.

X

Xanthan Gum: Gluten free: Yes. Vegetarian: Yes.