white beans that have been cooked, water, tomato puree (water and tomato paste), sugar, and less than 2% of the following: high fructose corn syrup, salt, distilled vinegar, pork (which adds a small amount of cholesterol), baking soda, onion powder, natural and artificial flavors, spices, and calcium chloride (a firming agent).
As someone who follows a gluten-free diet I’m always on the lookout for quick convenient meal options that fit my dietary needs. Canned beans are a pantry staple for many gluten-free eaters, myself included. But when it comes to certain brands, like Van Camp’s pork and beans, it can be tricky to determine if they’re 100% gluten-free.
In this article, we’ll take a thorough look at Van Camp’s pork and beans, examining the ingredients, manufacturing process, and potential for cross-contamination. I’ll also answer some frequently asked questions to help you determine if these beans can fit into your own gluten-free lifestyle. Let’s dig in!
An Overview of Van Camp’s Pork and Beans
Van Camp’s pork and beans are one of the most classic American canned bean products. They’ve been around since the late 1800s! The beans come packed in a thick tomato-based sauce along with chunks of salty pork. It’s a convenient shelf-stable product that many people grew up eating as an easy side dish or baked bean base.
But the big question is – in their conventional form are Van Camp’s pork and beans gluten-free? Let’s look at what’s actually in them
Ingredients: Prepared white beans, pork and pork broth, modified food starch, sugar, salt, onion powder, mustard flour, natural smoke flavoring, spices
At first glance, this looks like a pretty straightforward ingredient list without any obvious sources of gluten. But there are a couple of potential issues:
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The modified food starch could contain wheat. Many companies use wheat-based starches.
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The mustard flour may be derived from rye or barley. Some mustard flours are gluten-free, but some do contain gluten.
So while Van Camp’s doesn’t call out any clearly gluten-containing ingredients like wheat, barley or rye, the starch and mustard flour introduce some uncertainty about the gluten-free status of their pork and beans. Let’s dig a little deeper.
Are Van Camp’s Pork and Beans Certified Gluten-Free?
Here’s the good news – some varieties of Van Camp’s pork and beans are certified gluten-free!
Van Camp’s offers certified gluten-free versions of their Original and Chili Ready to Serve Bean products. These have been third-party tested to verify they contain less than 20 ppm of gluten. For someone with celiac disease or an extreme gluten intolerance, these certified products provide extra assurance.
However, their classic Pork and Beans do not currently have gluten-free certification. So individuals with celiac or wheat allergies need to exercise caution with those.
I reached out directly to Van Camp’s consumer affairs team about the gluten-free status of their Pork and Beans. Here’s their response:
“While our Pork and Beans are made without gluten-containing ingredients, they are produced in facilities that also process wheat and soy. So we don’t label them as gluten-free.”
This brings up the issue of…
Potential Cross-Contamination Risks
Even if the Pork and Beans themselves don’t contain glutenous ingredients, cross-contamination is still a risk in Van Camp’s facilities.
Since wheat and soy are processed on the same equipment, trace amounts could make their way into the beans during production. The company can’t guarantee no cross-contact.
For people with celiac disease or severe wheat allergies, even tiny amounts of cross-contact can be problematic. So Van Camp’s is upfront that their pork and beans may not be safe for gluten intolerant individuals, despite not having gluten ingredients.
That being said, many people who follow a gluten-free diet can tolerate small amounts of cross-contact without reacting. You’ll have to make your own judgment based on your sensitivity levels.
Other Questions About Van Camp’s Pork and Beans:
Here are answers to some other common questions about the gluten-free status of Van Camps’s products:
Are there any gluten-containing additives in Van Camp’s Pork and Beans?
According to the company, no – their classic Pork and Beans do not contain any intentionally added gluten-based ingredients or additives. So any gluten presence would be only through cross-contact.
Can Van Camp’s Pork and Beans be used in gluten-free recipes?
This depends on your comfort level with cross-contamination. If you have celiac disease, it would be best to avoid using them. For others who can tolerate some cross-contact, using them in gluten-free recipes may be fine.
Where can I find guaranteed gluten-free Van Camp’s products?
Look for their certified gluten-free Chili and Original Ready-to-Serve bean varieties, which will be labeled as gluten-free. Some stores may also carry Van Camp’s brand baked beans with gluten-free certification.
How can I verify the gluten-free status of any Van Camp’s product?
Carefully read all labels and look for a clear “gluten-free” claim before purchasing and consuming. Reach out to Van Camp’s directly if you need clarification.
Should individuals with celiac disease eat Van Camp’s Pork and Beans?
No, the cross-contamination risks mean Van Camp’s Pork and Beans are not considered safe for people with celiac disease or wheat/gluten allergies. Stick to their certified gluten-free products only.
The Bottom Line: Use Caution
After investigating Van Camp’s pork and beans in detail, I personally would proceed with caution regarding their gluten-free status – especially for those with celiac disease. Even though the product contains no purposeful gluten ingredients, the shared facilities and lack of certification introduce uncertainties.
That being said, many gluten-free consumers can tolerate small amounts of cross-contact without reacting negatively. So it’s an individual choice based on your sensitivity levels and comfort with potential cross-contamination.
My advice is to verify gluten-free claims for any Van Camp’s product by checking for GFCO or other third-party certification symbols. And as always, contact the company directly if you need additional details to feel confident in the gluten-free suitability of their beans.
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- Menu Item Type
- Main Dish
- Pork And Beans
Spoonacular Score: 0%
white beans that have been cooked, water, tomato puree (water and tomato paste), sugar, and less than 2% of the following: high fructose corn syrup, salt, distilled vinegar, pork (which adds a small amount of cholesterol), baking soda, onion powder, natural and artificial flavors, spices, and calcium chloride (a firming agent).
Egg, MSG, peanut, dairy, gluten, and soy should not be in this product. It should also not have any artificial flavors or colors and not contain any nuts.
Van Camp’s Pork and Beans – Meal in a Minute Recipes from 1937
FAQ
Are canned pork and beans gluten-free?
What are the ingredients in Van Camp’s pork and beans?
Are Bush’s pork and beans gluten-free?
What beans are not gluten-free?
Are Van Camp’s baked beans gluten-free?
Van Camp’s Baked beans (also certified gluten-free) tested pretty damn positive on two consecutive tests. Rice Chex tested negative for gluten. All tests done with EZ-gluten. This is becoming frustrating as it’s becoming increasingly apparent that we can’t rely on statements by these manufacturers.
Where can I buy Van Camp pork & beans?
Van Camp’s pork and beans can be found in almost any local or chain grocery store. They are canned beans that are already prepared. You can heat them up directly from the can and enjoy eating them, or you can use them in the creation of a new dish, such as baked beans or other bean recipes that combine a variety of beans together.
How many calories are in Van Camp’s pork & beans?
Personalized health review for Van Camp’S Pork & Beans,: 110 calories, nutrition grade (B minus), problematic ingredients, and more. Learn the good & bad for 250,000+ products.
What happened to Van Camps pork and beans?
Van Camps obviously have recently changed how they make and can their Pork and Beans. Horrible change! Bland flavor, bad aftertaste awful now! Afget 30+ years of making baked beans ONLY with VCP&Bs, I will no longer be buying them. Their recipe change ruined what once was the best canned beans on the market.