Is farro gluten free?

Contains gluten. That is what 4 publishers say about farro; their exact words are below. Packaged foods differ, so check the label of the product you buy.

What the sources tell us

Farro is a form of wheat. The Celiac Disease Foundation lists farro among the varieties of wheat, next to durum, emmer, semolina, spelt, farina, graham, KAMUT khorasan wheat and einkorn. It describes gluten as the proteins in these grains that help foods keep their shape, acting as a glue that holds food together.[5]

The Gluten Intolerance Group's guide for people going gluten-free names farro among the forms of wheat to eliminate from the diet, along with durum, spelt, semolina, couscous, bulgur, emmer, farina and einkorn.[6]

In its label reading tips, the group says that a product which is not certified or labeled gluten-free is not gluten-free if wheat appears in its ingredient list, and it spells out that this includes types of wheat such as spelt, emmer, farro and durum.[7]

NIDDK, part of the National Institutes of Health, says gluten occurs naturally in wheat and types of wheat such as durum, emmer, semolina and spelt, and that gluten is found in foods made from these grains, including baked goods, breads, cereals and pastas.[4]

The National Celiac Association describes gluten as a protein found in wheat, barley and rye, and says that when someone with celiac disease eats it, the lining of the small intestine becomes damaged.[8]

The Gluten Intolerance Group counts sorghum among naturally gluten-free grains, and the GFCO list includes three sorghum products: Pearled Sorghum Grain 1lb from Nu Life Market, Organic Whole Grain Sorghum from Organic Grains and Whole White Sorghum from ADM. GFCO only counts a listed product as certified if its package carries one of its certification marks.[6][3][2][1]

What the authorities say

"Gluten is a general name for the proteins found in wheat (wheatberries, durum, emmer, semolina, spelt, farina, farro ..."

Celiac Disease Foundation · Contains gluten · celiac.org/what-is-gluten · fetched 2026-10-23

"these gluten-containing grains should be eliminated from your diet: Wheat – Includes all varieties and forms such as: ... emmer, farina, farro , and einkorn."

Gluten Intolerance Group · Contains gluten · gluten.org/2019/10/14/getting-started-on-a-gluten-free-diet · fetched 2026-10-23

"the product is not gluten-free: Wheat (including all types of wheat such as spelt , emmer, farro , and durum )"

Gluten Intolerance Group · Contains gluten · gluten.org/2021/01/10/3-tips-for-gluten-free-label-reading · fetched 2026-10-23

"Gluten occurs naturally in certain grains, including wheat and types of wheat, such as durum, emmer, semolina, and spelt"

NIDDK (National Institutes of Health) · Contains gluten · www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/digestive-diseases/celiac-disease/eating-diet-nutrition · fetched 2026-10-23

This source names wheat, a broader term that covers farro; the exact words are shown above.

"Gluten is a protein found in wheat, barley, and rye. When someone with CeD eats gluten, the lining of the small intestine becomes damaged"

National Celiac Association · Contains gluten · nationalceliac.org/celiac-disease-the-facts · fetched 2026-10-23

This source names wheat, a broader term that covers farro; the exact words are shown above.

Certified gluten-free alternatives

Products on the Gluten-Free Certification Organization (GFCO) list. Each links to its GFCO listing. A product counts as certified only when its package also carries the GFCO mark.

Pearled Sorghum Grain 1lb (Nu Life Market)

GFCO certified GFCO listing

Organic Whole Grain Sorghum (Organic Grains)

GFCO certified GFCO listing

Whole White Sorghum (ADM)

GFCO certified GFCO listing

Sources