McCormick and Other Brands of Gluten-Free Taco Seasoning

Celiac.com 09/07/2022 - Any seasoned celiac knows that making sure spices and seasonings are gluten-free can be tricky. We get a lot of questions about spices and seasonings, especially about brands of gluten-free taco seasoning. Even after an earlier article, numerous readers have asked us if McCormick, Old El Paso and other brands of taco seasoning are gluten-free and safe for people with celiac disease. Here's the rundown.

Both McCormick and Old El Paso taco seasonings are naturally gluten-free, but not labelled as such. There are no gluten ingredients and no declared allergens. Ingredients per Old El Paso web site are:

• Chili Pepper, Maltodextrin, Salt, Onion Powder, Spice, Corn Starch, Sea Salt (Potassium Magnesium Chloride, Salt).

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Like most major companies, General Mills, the maker of Old El Paso Taco Seasoning, has a policy of clearly declaring known allergens on the label.

Taco Seasonings that are Gluten-Free or Contain No Gluten Ingredients:

Durkee
Durkee Taco Seasoning is gluten free. According to the company, Durkee is made of a “gluten-free blend of mild spices and herbs.”
                    
McCormick                                                                 
McCormick now makes both an Original Taco Seasoning Mix and a Gluten-Free Taco Seasoning Mix.The original contains no gluten ingredients and no declared allergens. Ingredients per the McCormick.com website: Chili Pepper, Paprika, Oregano, Onion, Salt, Potato Starch, Sugar, Garlic, Natural Flavor. Of the gluten-free version, the company says: “If any product has a gluten free claim, the product and the manufacturing line has been validated gluten free.”

CAUTION: Do not use Lawry's Taco Seasoning, which is made by McCormick. Lawry's Taco Seasoning contains wheat ingredients and is UNSAFE for people with celiac disease.

Old El Paso
Ingredients per Old El Paso web site: Chili Pepper, Maltodextrin, Salt, Onion Powder, Spice, Corn Starch, Sea Salt (Potassium Magnesium Chloride, Salt). Like most major companies, General Mills, the maker of Old El Paso Taco Seasoning, has a policy of clearly declaring known allergens on the label.

Ortega 
Ortega Taco Seasoning contains no gluten ingredients and no declared allergens. Ingredients as per Ortega.com: Yellow corn flour, maltodextrin, salt, paprika, spices, modified corn starch, ancho chili pepper, sugar, citric acid, yeast extract, natural flavors, rosemary, and green tea extract (antioxidant), silicon dioxide.

Pioneer
Pioneer gluten-free taco seasoning mix is certified , one of the few mixes that is certified by the GFCO. Be sure to avoid the non-gluten-free version of this product.

Spice Island
Spice Island makes a large container of its premium taco seasoning mix, and the container is clearly labeled gluten free.

Please always check labels as ingredients can change.