Is Homestyle healthy request savory chicken with brown rice soup Gluten Free?

The Ingredient Breakdown

As a food scientist, I look beyond the primary ingredients to the manufacturing process. When analyzing Homestyle healthy request savory chicken with brown rice soup, the base ingredients look promising. You have a clean list starting with chicken stock, carrots, brown rice, and chicken meat. These are whole, naturally gluten-free foods. The thickening agents used here, such as xanthan gum, carrageenan, and locust bean gum, are derived from plants and seaweed and are safe for a gluten-free diet.

The issue arises with the phrase "may contain traces of wheat" found at the end of the ingredient list. This is a voluntary advisory label indicating that the soup is produced in a facility or on shared equipment that also processes wheat products. Even if wheat isn't an intentional ingredient, airborne flour or shared machinery can transfer enough gluten to trigger a reaction in sensitive individuals. Therefore, strictly speaking, this product fails the gluten-free standard.

Nutritional Value

From a nutritional standpoint, this soup is relatively moderate. A serving contains approximately 80 calories, which is quite low for a meal-like product. It provides 6 grams of protein, which is decent for a broth-based soup, and keeps fat content low at around 2.5 grams per serving. However, it does contain added sugar and salt to boost flavor, which is standard for canned soups. It fits well within a low-calorie diet plan, but the sodium content might be a concern for those strictly monitoring blood pressure. It is a convenient option for a quick lunch, provided you aren't worried about gluten.