Is corn tortillas gluten free?

What the sources tell us

The sources describe corn tortillas in two ways. The Gluten Intolerance Group's guide for people starting a gluten-free diet lists corn tortillas, salsas, guacamole and beans as naturally gluten-free. The Celiac Disease Foundation, and a separate Gluten Intolerance Group article on Mexican food, add a caution about tortillas that are not made only from corn.[5][6][4]

The Celiac Disease Foundation lists multi-grain or artisan tortillas that are not entirely corn-based among foods that may contain gluten, because they may contain a wheat-based ingredient.[4]

The Gluten Intolerance Group's Mexican food article notes that some corn tortillas contain a mix of corn and wheat flour, and it advises confirming the gluten-free status of the Mexican corn products you buy. The same article describes corn as a staple used for tortillas, tostadas, gorditas made with masa harina or corn flour, and tamales made of masa dough.[6]

The National Celiac Association says corn is naturally gluten free, and that the protein sometimes called corn gluten is not harmful to people with celiac disease. It still recommends that corn-based flours such as corn flour and masa be labeled gluten free, because they could have had cross-contact with gluten-containing grains during processing.[8]

Among its ideas for quick meals, the association suggests a quesadilla made with corn tortillas or gluten-free flour tortillas, and it recommends choosing labeled gluten-free nuts, seeds and grain-based products.[7]

The GFCO list includes Yellow Corn Tortillas from Siete Foods, Organic Corn Tortillas from My Brother's Salsa and Blancas White Corn Tortillas from El Milagro. GFCO considers a listed product certified only when its package also carries the GFCO mark.[2][1][3]