For those following a gluten-free diet in Australia especially individuals with coeliac disease it’s important to understand exactly which foods contain gluten. One common question is whether bacon is gluten free. This article provides an in-depth look at bacon labelling, ingredients, and manufacturing processes in Australia to determine if most bacon can be safely consumed on a gluten-free diet.
What is Gluten?
First let’s clarify what gluten actually is. Gluten is a general name for the proteins found in wheat rye, barley and oats that are responsible for the elastic texture of dough. The specific proteins are
- Gliadin in wheat
- Secalin in rye
- Hordein in barley
- Avenin in oats
For individuals with coeliac disease an autoimmune reaction is triggered when gluten is consumed causing damage to the small intestine. This reaction does not occur with a gluten intolerance or sensitivity.
Bacon Ingredients and Manufacturing
To understand if bacon contains gluten, we need to look at both the ingredients used and manufacturing processes.
Pork Meat
The pork meat itself does not naturally contain gluten. However, additional ingredients added to bacon may introduce gluten.
Flavourings and Preservatives
Bacon is often cured or smoked to add flavor, extend shelf life and change the meat’s texture. The curing process involves adding sodium nitrite, spices, salt, sugar, and sometimes sodium erythorbate.
None of these common curing agents or preservatives contain gluten. However, some flavorings or seasonings applied to bacon may contain wheat.
Smoking and Cooking Processes
Traditional smoking uses wood chips, which are gluten free. However, bacon can also be smoked or cooked through methods like frying or baking. Any batter or breadcrumb coating would introduce gluten, but these are not commonly used in basic bacon production.
Bacon and Gluten Labelling Laws in Australia
Australia has strict laws around gluten labelling on packaged foods which help identify gluten-free choices:
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Any product labelled “gluten-free” must contain no detectable gluten.
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All ingredients derived from gluten-containing grains (wheat, rye, barley, oats) must be clearly listed.
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An “Allergen” statement like “Contains: Wheat” must be included if gluten is present.
So checking the ingredients list and allergen statement on bacon packaging will identify if gluten is present in any applied flavorings or seasonings.
Is Bacon Gluten-Free?
The vast majority of basic sliced bacon in Australia does not contain any gluten-based ingredients. Plain smoked or cured bacon contains pork meat, salt, preservatives and sometimes sugar.
However, some bacon variants do contain additional flavorings, spices or coatings that may introduce gluten, such as:
- Maple-flavored bacon with added wheat-based sweeteners
- Bacon coated with a batter containing wheat flour
- Bacon with seasonings that utilize gluten-containing grains
As long as you check the ingredients and avoid flavored or coated bacons, most plain smoked or cured bacon is gluten-free. When in doubt, choose bacon labelled “gluten-free” for assurance it has been produced free from cross-contamination.
Tips for Choosing Gluten-Free Bacon
If you want to enjoy bacon on a gluten-free diet in Australia, here are some tips:
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Check mainstream bacon brands for gluten-free labeling or certifications like the Crossed Grain symbol.
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Opt for basic smoked or cured bacon without additional flavors or coatings.
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Verify no wheat, rye, barley or oats are listed in the ingredients.
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Look for gluten-free labels from specialty brands if concerned about trace gluten.
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Ask your local butcher if they carry gluten-free bacon options.
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Cook plain bacon at home from raw pork to control ingredients.
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Avoid bacon from unlabeled delis or restaurants that can’t validate it’s gluten-free.
With vigilance reading labels and selecting plain bacon varieties without flavor additives, most bacon can be safely consumed on a gluten-free diet. Always opt for gluten-free labelled bacon if concerned about cross-contamination during manufacturing. Check labels routinely as ingredients can change over time.
Nutritional Supplements & Medications
Gluten may be used as a coating or filler in supplements & medications. Before taking any over-the-counter medicines or vitamin or mineral supplements, it is important to always read the list of ingredients.
Your doctor should look over your medications and make sure that any that contain gluten are avoided. If necessary, they should also give you gluten-free options.
It is important to choose a gluten-free nutritional supplement that doesn’t have any bad effects because people with Celiac Disease need more nutrients like iron, B vitamins, and vitamin D. (1,3).
Soy Sauce & Miso
Except for tamari, soy sauce is made with wheat. The soup base miso may be made with barley, a known gluten-containing grain. (3).
Be weary of salad bars due to cross-contamination risk. If dining out, make sure you ask your server to avoid adding croutons to your salad.
Sauces, soups & gravies may contain added thickeners which contain gluten.
Flavoured tea & coffee may contain gluten, and lager, ale, beer and malt beverages may also contain gluten.
Distilled alcohol including vodka & gin are safe for people with Coeliacs Disease.
Gluten-Free Truth | 9 News Perth
Is Bacon gluten-free?
Now, bacon is just raw or smoked pork belly that has been preserved. Unless gluten is added, bacon doesn’t usually contain gluten ingredients and can usually be considered gluten-free. However, for anyone wanting to be sure, the brands and varieties of bacon listed below are labeled or certified gluten-free.
Is coconut gluten free?
Coconut is naturally gluten-free, but its pulp and products made from coconut can become contaminated during the handling process, when utensils or surfaces that are used to handle gluten-containing foods are also used to handle coconut. This is called cross contamination.
Is Amazon Bacon gluten free?
Of course, as leaders in e-commerce, Amazon are very experienced when it comes to shipping goods globally. So you can rest assured you are in good hands with your delivery. Furthermore, with the resources of a major player like Amazon behind it, you can be sure that this bacon is gluten free.
Is Bar-S Bacon gluten free?
Cross-Contact: All Bar-S bacon is gluten free, but they don’t have any information about how they avoid cross-contact with gluten. We emailed them to find out more, and we were told that all of their gluten-free products are produced in dedicated facilities. (Source: Bar-S) Here’s a list of Boar’s Head gluten-free bacon options:
Is pork bacon gluten free?
Whilst pork bacon is the norm for some people, not everyone likes to eat it. For example, there are a number of religions who avoid pig products. Well fortunately, not only is regular pork bacon available as a gluten free product, but you can also get turkey bacon gluten free too.
Can you eat bacon on a gluten-free diet?
Bacon is a popular food that you may want to continue eating if you are on a gluten-free diet. However, only a few bacon manufacturers guarantee the gluten-free status of their bacon. Keep reading to find out which bacon brands are safe to eat on a gluten-free diet. Is Bacon Gluten-Free?