Is tater tots gluten free?

What the sources tell us

The National Celiac Association says whole potatoes, such as russet, red or gold potatoes, are naturally gluten free. Once potatoes are processed into products such as potato flakes, French fries, tater tots and packaged meals, it says they may not always be gluten free.[7]

For tater tots that are not labeled gluten free, the association advises watching the ingredients for wheat, rye, barley, malt and oat, and contacting the manufacturer directly when unsure.[7]

Eating out raises a separate question. The association suggests asking how potatoes are made or fried, since shared fryers with gluten-containing foods create a risk of cross-contact, and it cites a pilot study on gluten-free foods cooked in shared fryers with wheat.[7]

The Celiac Disease Foundation also lists fried foods cooked in oil shared with breaded products as a way cross-contact can occur, and the Gluten Intolerance Group says deep-fried foods cooked in oil also used for breaded products should be avoided.[5][6]

The GFCO list includes Potato Tots from Stolon Superfoods, Potato Tots and Organic Potato Tots from Roots Farm Fresh, and Tiny Tots from Western Foods. It files the first three under fruits and vegetables for the US.[4][3][2][1]