Is ice cream gluten free?

What the sources tell us

NIDDK explains that many food additives, such as colorings, flavorings, starches and thickeners, are made from grains that contain gluten, and it lists ice cream among the foods where gluten may be found. The Gluten Intolerance Group's label reading guide also names ice cream among the dairy products where gluten ingredients can turn up.[4][6]

The Gluten Intolerance Group says the risk of gluten grows as flavors are added, including chocolate, vanilla and fruit, because flavorings could contain gluten and need to be verified. Many popular ice creams also add obvious gluten-containing ingredients such as cookie or brownie pieces.[7]

At the store, the group suggests reading the labels carefully or choosing ice cream labeled gluten-free under FDA rules, or GFCO certified for extra assurance. At an ice cream shop, it warns that asking for a dish instead of a cone does not guarantee safety, because the same utensil may have pushed scoops onto cones. It suggests asking for an unopened container and clean serving utensils.[7]

Its list of foods where gluten may be hidden adds that ice cream bars could contain wheat starch that is not certified gluten-free or flavorings such as malt, and that a malted milkshake contains an ingredient derived from barley.[5]

The National Celiac Association says ice cream has less chance of cross contact with gluten in the factory than foods such as chips, nuts or crackers. It advises avoiding ice cream with added ingredients like sprinkles or candies unless the product is labeled gluten free.[8]

The GFCO list includes Vanilla Ice Cream from 365 WFM Brand, Organic Mint Chip Ice Cream 48oz from Alden's and an Espresso pint from Crooked Spoon Ice Cream. GFCO says a product on its list is not certified unless its packaging carries the certification mark.[3][1][2]