Is Malted Rice Gluten-Free?

Celiac.com 08/04/2023 - We get a lot of questions about baking supplies and ingredients. Specifically, we get a lot of questions about malted rice. More than a few people wonder if malted rice is gluten-free. 

The short answer is "It depends." Some is, some is not. Here's the rundown.

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Malted rice, also known as malted rice flour or malted rice syrup, is not always considered gluten-free; it depends on the way it's made.

Malted rice is made from rice that has been sprouted, dried, and ground into a flour or processed into a syrup. During the malting process, enzymes are used to convert the starches in the rice into sugars.

Whether malted rice is gluten-free or not depends on the brand and how the malted rice is made. While rice itself is naturally gluten-free, the malting process introduces the risk of cross-contamination with gluten-containing grains such as barley. 

While some malted rice is gluten-free, some malted rice is made with barley enzymes (or koji), and is therefore not considered gluten-free. Barley is commonly used in the malting process to provide the enzymes necessary for the conversion. This means that malted rice products may contain gluten traces and are not suitable for those following a gluten-free diet, particularly individuals with celiac disease or gluten sensitivities.

It's important to carefully read product labels and ingredient lists to determine if malted rice or any malted rice-derived ingredients are present. Manufacturers are required to disclose the presence of common allergens, including wheat and barley, on their product labels. 

If a product contains malted rice and is labeled as "gluten-free," it is advisable to confirm with the manufacturer whether the product has undergone appropriate testing and meets gluten-free standards.

If you have celiac disease or a gluten sensitivity, it's recommended to consult with a healthcare professional or a registered dietitian for personalized guidance on your dietary needs and to determine which ingredients and products are safe for your specific condition.