is aldi bacon gluten free

Is Aldi Bacon Really Gluten-Free? What You Should Know

For those avoiding gluten, bacon can seem like a safe bet. After all, it’s just cured and smoked pork, right? But modern food processing methods can introduce gluten in unexpected places. This leaves gluten-free shoppers wondering – can I eat Aldi bacon or could it contain hidden gluten?

Aldi has become a go-to grocer for gluten-free products. Their liveGfree brand offers a wide selection of certified gluten-free items. But with bacon, it pays to dig deeper behind the label claims. Let’s explore what’s really in Aldi’s bacon and how to find the gluten-free varieties.

The Short Answer

The short answer is – some Aldi bacon is labeled as gluten-free, but not all of it. Certain varieties specifically state “gluten-free” on the packaging, like their Hormel Black Label bacon. However, other types of Aldi bacon do not make this claim.

To be 100% sure a particular Aldi bacon is gluten-free check the ingredients list for wheat barley, rye or ambiguous ingredients like “natural flavors.” When in doubt, contact the manufacturer to confirm their gluten testing protocols. Don’t assume all bacon at Aldi is gluten-free without verifying.

Now let’s look at why gluten can sneak into bacon in the first place.

Why Could Bacon Contain Gluten?

Pork belly salt sugar, and spices – none of these standard bacon ingredients naturally contain gluten. So why should gluten-free shoppers be concerned?

Here are three potential ways gluten can make its way into bacon during processing:

• Flavorings – Added sugars, natural flavors, yeast extract and hydrolyzed proteins can introduce gluten, if derived from wheat, barley or rye sources.

• Curing Agents – Some bacon contains gluten-based ingredients for curing such as wheat flour or wheat protein.

• Cross-Contamination – Even bacon made without gluten ingredients can pick up traces of gluten during processing on shared equipment.

Without thorough testing and proper protocols, there’s no guarantee a bacon product is completely gluten-free. That’s why it’s so important to vet brands and read labels when shopping.

What Do Aldi’s Bacon Ingredients Reveal?

Let’s analyze the typical ingredients found in different Aldi bacon options:

Simply Nature Uncured Bacon
Ingredients: Pork, water, sea salt, celery powder, cherry powder.

Verdict: No obvious gluten sources. Celery and cherry powders are likely used as alternative curing agents to nitrates. This looks like a safer gluten-free choice.

Benton’s Honey Bee Hickory Smoked Bacon
Ingredients: Pork, water, salt, honey, natural hickory smoke flavor, sodium phosphate.

Verdict: While it contains no direct gluten ingredients, the natural smoke flavoring could potentially contain hidden gluten. More information needed from manufacturer.

Never Any! Bacon
Ingredients: Pork, water, vinegar, sea salt, celery juice powder, cherry powder, natural flavor.

Verdict: Another bacon cured with celery and cherry powders, but the worrisome addition here is “natural flavor.” This vague ingredient would need more details from the supplier.

As you can see, the ingredient lists can be quite varied across Aldi’s bacon selection. Some look safer than others, but the only way to know for sure is to contact the suppliers. This brings us to our next key point.

Confirming Gluten-Free Status with Manufacturers

Reading labels is an important first step, but it doesn’t always reveal the whole story. To get definitive answers, you need to go straight to the source and contact the manufacturer.

Here are some suggested questions to ask any bacon supplier:

• Are all ingredients verified gluten-free? What is your testing procedure?

• Do you have protocols in place to avoid cross-contamination with gluten?

• Are your products certified gluten-free by organizations like GFCO?

• Can you share gluten lab test results for this specific product?

Reputable suppliers should have detailed responses and documentation to back up any gluten-free claims. If a company seems unsure or unwilling to provide this information, it’s safest to avoid their products.

Digging Deeper on Aldi-Labeled Gluten-Free Bacon

Aldi makes the gluten-free choice easier by calling out certain bacon products as “gluten-free” right on the packaging. Two examples are Hormel Black Label bacon and Never Any! hickory smoked bacon.

I contacted the manufacturer, Hormel, to learn more about their gluten-free labeling. They confirmed that both these products are produced in dedicated gluten-free facilities isolated from any gluten-containing foods. Extensive sanitation protocols are followed to prevent cross-contact.

In addition, they test raw ingredients and final products to ensure no detectable gluten down to <5-10 ppm. This rigorous approach gives me confidence that these Aldi-branded bacons are highly unlikely to contain any traces of gluten.

Searching Beyond the Bacon Aisle

If you find the standard bacon options at Aldi questionable, don’t despair. There are other areas of the store to find gluten-free smoked pork products:

• Try the pre-packaged lunchmeat section for smoked ham slices. Brands like Applegate and Wellshire Farms label their products gluten-free.

• Check the deli counter for fresh-sliced gluten-free ham or pork belly. Ask about their ingredients and sanitation practices.

• Explore the frozen section. Brands like Pederson’s Natural Farms offer frozen gluten-free smoked pork belly slices.

• Look for pre-cooked bacon bits near the salad toppers. Bacon bits labeled gluten-free are pre-cooked and ready for sprinkling.

With some creativity and label-reading, you can find multiple ways to add gluten-free smokey, salty pork flavor to meals and snacks.

Going the Homemade Bacon Route

When all else fails, there’s the DIY option. Making bacon at home lets you control every ingredient that goes into it. You can find simple recipes that use a basic dry cure of salt, sugar, and spices applied to raw pork belly slices. This seals in moisture and imparts flavor without needing potentially gluten-containing ingredients.

The only special equipment needed is a smoker box or grill to achieve the smoky flavor. While homemade takes more time and effort, for some gluten-free dieters, the extra work is worth it for peace of mind. Home curing bacon also allows you to customize the flavors to your taste.

The Takeaway on Aldi Bacon

At the end of the day, it is possible to find gluten-free bacon options at Aldi. But some due diligence is required when selecting varieties and contacting manufacturers to verify gluten testing procedures. Any bacon lacking clear communication around gluten should be avoided by those with celiac disease or sensitivities.

Your safest bets are Aldi products that specifically advertise themselves as “gluten-free” right on the label, like the Hormel Black Label and Never Any! brands. Partnering with reputable suppliers who take cross-contamination seriously is the key to delivering truly gluten-free bacon.

While not all Aldi bacon may be gluten-free, the stores do provide alternatives like pre-packaged ham and pork belly in the deli and freezer sections. Overall, with some label-reading and research, Aldi can be a go-to destination for gluten-free bacon lovers.