Consumers Concerned About Gluten-Free Label on Trader Joe’s Crackers Containing Maltodextrin

Maltodextrin is a white, powdery carbohydrate commonly used in packaged foods as a thickener, filler, or preservative. It is majorly made from starches such as corn, rice, or potatoes and sometimes from wheat. 

Recently, consumers raised their concerns over the tag of gluten free on packages of the products that contain maltodextrin. One common question which is rising is how a product containing maltodextrin can be gluten free? 

Against this backdrop, social media users are sharing Trader Joe’s Savory Thin Mini Crackers packet image which carries a tag of being gluten free but contains maltodextrin.

However, Fact Crescendo found the claim to be false. Although Trader Joe’s Mini Crackers contain Maltodextrin, the gluten is removed during processing. So the product can be gluten free even with the presence of maltodextrin.

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Fact Check- 

Maltodextrin is a carbohydrate derived from starches like corn, rice, or potatoes, and is recognized by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as generally safe for use in food products. It is produced by partially breaking down starches using acids or enzymes, resulting in a substance with a dextrose equivalent (D.E) of less than 20, meaning it is not sweet. Maltodextrin must meet specific purity standards, especially if sourced from potatoes or rice, as per guidelines in the Food Chemicals Codex. The FDA allows its use in food without specific limitations, as long as it follows good manufacturing practices.

In a report by Medical News Today, to make maltodextrin, manufacturers break down starch using a process called hydrolysis. This process involves using water, enzymes, and acids to turn the starch into smaller pieces, resulting in a white powder made up of sugar molecules.

It’s important to know that maltodextrin can sometimes contain traces of gluten if it’s made from wheat. However, the National Celiac Association (NCA) says, “Regardless of the starting material, maltodextrin is considered gluten free. Even if wheat or barley is listed as the source, it is highly unlikely that it would cause an otherwise gluten-free food to contain 20 ppm or more gluten.” Even if maltodextrin is derived from wheat, it is generally considered safe for people with celiac disease as gluten is removed during processing.

According to Milton Keynes University Hospital, some flours and grains, like oats, don’t naturally have gluten. But if they’re made or packaged in the same place as foods with wheat, they can get contaminated with gluten. These products might not be allowed to have a “gluten-free” label. However, if a product has a gluten-free label, it means the product was made in a place that keeps everything free from gluten.

In the United States, the Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act (FALCPA) mandates that if a food regulated by the FDA contains protein from wheat, it must be clearly stated on the label, either in the ingredient list or in a “Contains” statement. Therefore, if maltodextrin is made from wheat and contains any residual gluten, it should be indicated on the label.​

You can read more about it on the Canadian Celiac Association’s website.

According to Healthline, maltodextrin is often used as a low-cost thickener or filler in processed foods. It is commonly made from genetically modified (GMO) corn. However, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), GMO corn is considered safe and meets the same safety standards as non-GMO crops.

Conclusion:

Fact Crescendo found the claim to be false. Trader Joe’s Mini Crackers contain Maltodextrin derived from corn but it is gluten free. Gluten is removed during the process of manufacturing maltodextrin.