Is Hunt's Ketchup Gluten-Free?

You say that if a label doesn't list any gluten containing ingredients, then it can be considered safe. I have always told my daughter (who has Celiac) not to go by that "rule" because there is no way to know what else might be manufactured at that facility, in a shared space, or a shared machine, etc. She pushes back against that saying that if there were an allergen it would be listed. I agree that if there is an allergen it would be listed, but manufacturers are not required to disclose the possibility of cross contamination, are they? 

Thank you,

a protective mom

"Heinz, Organicville, Walden Farms, and Sir Kensington's specifically label their ketchup as gluten-free. That means it has been tested to under 20ppm gluten content."

I do not think this is strictly true. I have recently read the FDA regulations for using labeling something "gluten free" and was surprised to discover that testing is not required unless there is a consumer challenge. Having said that, it is likely that most food companies will have tested products they claim to be gluten free so as to be reasonably certain their claim can be verified. There is the possibility that things used in the formulary, like "spices" (which may come from an outside supplier), are not gluten free even though the company producing the ketchup is not intentionally including gluten in the formulation. This could possibly cause a reaction in very sensitive celiacs.

3 hours ago, dstriebel said:

You say that if a label doesn't list any gluten containing ingredients, then it can be considered safe. I have always told my daughter (who has Celiac) not to go by that "rule" because there is no way to know what else might be manufactured at that facility, in a shared space, or a shared machine, etc. She pushes back against that saying that if there were an allergen it would be listed. I agree that if there is an allergen it would be listed, but manufacturers are not required to disclose the possibility of cross contamination, are they? 

Thank you,

a protective mom

As the article mentions, there are alternatives for you that are labelled "gluten-free," and there is a link to a list of those at the bottom. Hunt's has indicated that it will include an allergen warning for wheat, if any of their products could include wheat. In this case, not including "gluten-free" on the label does not mean that it contains gluten, which is a false assumption.

Catsup was one of the very first foods I would react to! It would give me bad diarrhea! This went on for over a year until I had figured out it was the catsup. Once I cut it and all other "goopy" foods the diarrhea had stopped. So that meant absolutely NO catsup, mustard, mayo, dressings or anything similar. I don't know why but the catsup problem had showed up way before my bread (wheat) problem. And yes I am highly sensitive to corn. So I think I was reacting to corn before I was to wheat. My cousin seems to have similar food issues.

Most catsup contains corn syrup, so that is likely what you were reacting to...not gluten.