Is Simply Nature Beef Broth Gluten Free?

As someone who follows a gluten-free diet checking labels for hidden gluten ingredients can be exhausting. When picking up a bottle of Simply Nature’s organic beef broth at the store you may wonder – is this broth gluten-free? Read on to find out.

What is Simply Nature Beef Broth?

Simply Nature’s beef broth is an organic, non-GMO product made by cooking down beef bones to extract their rich, meaty flavor. According to the label, it contains three ingredients: organic beef broth, organic carrots, and organic celery.

The broth is marketed as a foundational ingredient to use when cooking grains like rice or quinoa, making soups or stews, braising meats, or reducing into sauces It comes in convenient tetra packaging that allows for a long shelf life without requiring refrigeration before opening

Why Broths Could Contain Gluten

When investigating whether a broth contains gluten, it’s important to understand why broths and stocks sometimes have this problematic protein:

• Thickeners like wheat flour or cornstarch could be used.

• Barley, a gluten-containing grain, may be used.

• Flavorings derived from hydrolyzed wheat protein are possible.

• Shared equipment and facilities also increase cross-contamination risks.

Reputable brands offering gluten-free items will carefully control their production lines and ingredients to avoid these issues. But with broth, it’s always smart to verify.

Evaluating Simply Nature’s Beef Broth Ingredients

A careful look at the ingredient list reveals no obvious sources of gluten like wheat, barley, rye or triticale. The three ingredients – organic beef broth, carrots, and celery – are all naturally gluten-free. There are no thickeners, anti-caking agents or hydrolyzed wheat proteins listed.

However, Simply Nature’s website and product packaging lack a clear “gluten-free” label. This necessitates further investigation to confirm this broth’s suitability for a gluten-free diet.

Checking for Processes That Could Introduce Gluten

Since the ingredients look gluten-free, we need to consider production processes that could potentially introduce gluten through cross-contact:

Shared Equipment: Simply Nature’s FAQ states that all their broths are produced on shared equipment also used to make chicken and vegetable broths. However, they confirm that diligent cleaning procedures are followed to avoid cross-contact between broth varieties.

Shared Facilities: The broths are produced in a facility that also processes other foods containing gluten. But Simply Nature reports that the facility is designed to keep products separated and avoid cross-contamination.

Use of Flour for Filtering: Some broths use flour to filter and clarify the liquid. However, Simply Nature broths are unfiltered so this is not a concern.

Given their careful production processes, the risk of gluten cross-contact appears low despite the lack of a gluten-free certification.

Contacting the Manufacturer for Confirmation

To lift any remaining doubt, I contacted Simply Nature’s customer service department directly and received this reassuring response:

“Our Organic Beef Broth would be considered gluten-free although it is produced in a facility that processes wheat. The production area is completely separate and we follow all GMPs. There would be minimal risk of any cross-contamination with the Organic Beef Broth.”

This aligns with my investigation and leads me to confidently conclude that Simply Nature’s organic beef broth is gluten-free and safe for a gluten-free diet when consumed in reasonable amounts. As with any product, individuals with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity should first consult with a doctor.

Tips for Safely Consuming Simply Nature Beef Broth

For those wishing to safely add this gluten-free beef broth to their diet, here are some tips:

• Check the label each time you purchase it to ensure the recipe has not changed.

• Look for any visible contamination or particles in the broth before use.

• Limit use to 1 cup per recipe as added assurance against trace gluten.

• Avoid consuming it if you have a wheat allergy, as facilities are shared with wheat products.

• Use it as an ingredient in recipes, rather than drinking it straight as a beverage.

• Pair it with naturally gluten-free whole foods instead of highly processed ingredients.

• Contact the manufacturer if you ever have any doubts or concerns about changes.

Is Simply Nature’s Beef Bone Broth Also Gluten-Free?

Simply Nature also offers a beef bone broth product using similar minimal ingredients. I contacted the company to inquire about its gluten status as well.

Their customer service department confirmed that both the beef broth and beef bone broth products are produced in the same facilities with the same protocols. Therefore, the bone broth version can also be considered gluten-free and appropriate for gluten-free diets when used in moderation.

Other Gluten-Free Broths and Stocks

For those wishing to err on the side of extra caution, other broth and stock options certified gluten-free include:

• Kitchen Basics Unsalted Beef Stock
• Pacific Foods Organic Beef Broth
• Imagine No-Chicken Broth
• Wolfgang Puck Organic Vegan No-Chicken Broth
• Edward & Sons Not-Chick’n Bouillon Cubes

When in doubt, choose broths validated as gluten-free to be 100% safe. But based on all the information, Simply Nature’s organic beef broth appears to be a gluten-free-friendly choice. Just be sure to verify ingredients and production processes for yourself before consuming.