Is Hillshire Farm Turkey Gluten Free?

Hillshire Farm is a popular brand of lunch meats, sausages, and hot dogs. Many of their products are labeled as “gluten-free”, making them a go-to option for those with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity. However, some Hillshire Farm items contain questionable ingredients, leaving consumers wondering if they are truly gluten-free and safe to eat. In this article, we’ll take an in-depth look at Hillshire Farm turkey products and determine if they are gluten-free.

An Overview of Hillshire Farm

Hillshire Farm is owned by Tyson Foods, one of the largest meat producers in the United States The brand offers deli meats, sausages, hot dogs, corn dogs, and meat snacks Some of their most popular products include oven roasted turkey, smoked turkey, turkey kielbasa, and Cajun style smoked sausage.

Hillshire Farm states that their products are free of wheat, rye, barley, and oats. However, they do caution that certain items are made in facilities that also process wheat products, so cross-contamination is possible. This is why it’s crucial to carefully inspect the ingredients label of each individual product.

Key Hillshire Farm Turkey Products

When it comes to deli meats, two of the most common choices are Hillshire Farm Oven Roasted Turkey Breast and Hillshire Farm Smoked Turkey Breast. Let’s analyze the ingredients of each to determine if they contain gluten:

Hillshire Farm Oven Roasted Turkey Breast

Ingredients Turkey breast meat, turkey broth, contains 2% or less of the following dextrose, salt, sodium phosphate.

This product contains no gluten-containing ingredients. Dextrose is a glucose sugar usually made from corn. The sodium phosphate acts as a preservative.

Hillshire Farm Smoked Turkey Breast

Ingredients: Turkey breast meat, turkey broth, contains 2% or less of the following: dextrose, salt, sodium phosphate, natural smoke flavoring.

Again, this turkey breast product does not contain any ingredients derived from gluten-containing grains. The natural smoke flavoring is likely derived from vegetables, not wheat.

Questionable Ingredients

Some Hillshire Farm products do contain questionable ingredients in relation to the gluten-free diet. This includes:

• Modified food starch: This could potentially be made from wheat, though modified corn starch is more common. Hillshire Farm does not specify the source.

• Soy protein: Soy itself does not contain gluten, but soy sauce often contains wheat. Hillshire Farm does not state if their soy protein is sourced from soy sauce.

• Maltodextrin: This additive can be derived from corn, potatoes, or wheat. The source is not listed for Hillshire Farm products.

• Natural flavors: The source of natural flavors is rarely disclosed. They can potentially contain gluten from wheat, barley, rye, or oats.

Due to these questionable ingredients, products containing them should be verified gluten-free through Hillshire Farm before consumption.

How to Verify Hillshire Farm Turkey is Gluten-Free

If you want to verify that a particular Hillshire Farm turkey product is gluten-free, here are some tips:

• Carefully read the ingredients label on the specific package you purchased. Ingredients can vary between production facilities.

• Check the Hillshire Farm website for their official statement on the gluten-free status of the product.

• Call or email Hillshire Farm consumer relations and ask if the item contains any gluten ingredients. Be sure to have the exact product name and UPC code.

• Search online forums and groups to see if other gluten-free consumers have inquired about the same product.

• Start by eating a very small serving and monitor symptoms for 48 hours. Only consume larger portions if no reactions occur.

Are Hillshire Farm Hot Dogs and Sausages Gluten-Free?

In addition to deli meats, Hillshire Farm produces sausages and hot dogs. These items tend to have longer ingredients lists with more questionable additions. For example, Hillshire Farm Lit’l Smokies Smoked Sausages contain both soy protein and natural flavoring.

Some varieties, like Hillshire Farm Beef Smoked Sausage, only list beef and salt on the label. However, unless the gluten-free status is clearly stated by Hillshire Farm, it is safest to avoid these processed meat products if you are sensitive to gluten. Stick to their simpler turkey breast deli meats.

Precautions When Eating Hillshire Farm Turkey

If you decide to consume Hillshire Farm oven roasted turkey, smoked turkey, or other gluten-free verified products, keep these precautions in mind:

• Always thoroughly check the ingredients list, even between different batches, as formulations can change.

• Be aware that cross-contamination is possible during production, especially on shared equipment.

• Start with a small serving size at first to test your individual tolerance.

• Make sure the product was sealed properly and refrigerated at 40°F or below to prevent bacterial growth.

• Don’t let kids and others touch the turkey then contaminate gluten-free areas of your kitchen.

• If you react, discontinue eating it and report it to Hillshire Farm so they can investigate.

Bottom Line

When shopping for gluten-free deli meats, Hillshire Farm turkey breast products are a good option, as long as you verify the ingredients. However, those with celiac disease or severe gluten sensitivity may want to choose another brand that exclusively processes gluten-free items to eliminate any risk of cross-contamination.

While Hillshire Farm states their turkey is gluten-free, it’s always smart to check with the company directly if you have any doubts. With proactive label reading and proper precautions, Hillshire Farm turkey can likely be enjoyed safely by most gluten-free consumers. But as with any processed food, proceed with caution until you know how your body reacts.