Is Butter Gluten-Free?

Celiac.com 08/22/2024 - We get a lot of questions about which products and foods are gluten-free. Lately that has included questions about butter. 

Is butter gluten-free and safe for people with celiac disease? The short answer is yes, here's the rundown.

Celiac.com Sponsor (A12):
Butter is naturally gluten-free and is generally safe for people with celiac disease. Butter is made from naturally gluten-free cow’s milk and cream. Salt and coloring may be added, and these are also gluten-free. Pure, plain butter contains no gluten ingredients, and is naturally gluten-free, so it should not trigger any adverse reactions in individuals with celiac disease.

However, there are a few considerations to keep in mind:

• Cross-Contamination: Ensure that the butter has not been contaminated with gluten-containing products during processing or in the kitchen. For example, if someone uses the same knife to spread butter on both gluten-free and regular bread, this could introduce gluten into the butter.
• Flavored or Specialty Butters: Some flavored butters or those mixed with other ingredients might contain gluten, so it's important to check the labels of these products to ensure they are gluten-free.

In summary, plain, unflavored butter is gluten-free and safe for people with celiac disease as long as it has not been cross-contaminated.

If you are a celiac patient or following a gluten-free diet for other reasons, you can safely eat plain butter.

Nearly all types of butter (even those with additional ingredients, like garlic or herbs) are free from wheat and gluten ingredients. Dairy products are considered low risk for people following a gluten-free diet. Most cheese, yogurt, ice cream, and cheese, including shredded cheese, is also naturally gluten-free. 

As always, read labels and avoid products with gluten ingredients or wheat allergen warnings.