Is Fredericksburg Peach Jam Gluten Free?

The Ingredient Breakdown

When determining if a processed food is safe for a gluten-free diet, we have to look beyond the obvious and scrutinize every additive. For Fredericksburg Peach Jam, the formula is surprisingly straightforward, which works in its favor regarding gluten safety.

The primary ingredients are peaches and pure cane sugar. Peaches are naturally gluten-free fruits, and pure cane sugar is derived from sugar cane, not wheat-based grains. There is no risk of gluten hiding in these foundational elements.

The preservation and texture agents are where risks often hide, but this jam passes the test. It uses lemon juice for acidity and a pectin blend. The specific pectin blend listed contains sucrose, pectin, and citric acid. None of these ingredients are derived from gluten-containing grains. Pectin is a plant-based fiber (often from citrus or apples), and citric acid is a natural acidulant. There are no hydrolyzed vegetable proteins (HVP) or maltodextrin listed, which are sometimes derived from wheat. Therefore, the formulation is inherently gluten-free.

Nutritional Value

While being gluten-free makes this jam safe for specific dietary restrictions, it is important to view it through the lens of general nutrition. Like most fruit jams, the primary nutritional component of Fredericksburg Peach Jam is sugar. The second ingredient listed is pure cane sugar, meaning this is a high-sugar food.

If you are managing your carbohydrate intake for conditions like diabetes, or if you are on a low-calorie diet, you will need to portion this jam carefully. It provides the sweet taste and fruit flavor of peaches but lacks the fiber content of eating a whole peach, as the fiber is often broken down during the cooking process. It fits well into a balanced diet as a condiment, but it is not a significant source of vitamins or minerals.