Is Imperial Garden, Hand Rolled Chicken Egg Roll Gluten Free?

The Ingredient Breakdown

As a food scientist, I look beyond the marketing claims and dive straight into the formulation. When analyzing the Imperial Garden Hand Rolled Chicken Egg Roll, the gluten issue is located entirely in the wrapper, specifically the crust.

The primary culprit is the bleached wheat flour listed in the crust ingredients. Wheat is one of the main sources of gluten, a protein that gives dough its elasticity but causes severe immune reactions in sensitive individuals. Even more concerning for those strictly avoiding gluten is the inclusion of malted barley flour. Barley is a distinct gluten-containing grain, and malted barley flour is often used as a flavor enhancer or dough conditioner. The presence of both wheat and barley confirms that this product contains gluten.

It is worth noting that the filling ingredients—such as brown rice, chicken, cabbage, and carrots—are naturally gluten-free. However, the risk of cross-contamination in a facility that processes wheat products is high, and the wrapper itself makes the final product unsuitable for a gluten-free diet.

Nutritional Value

From a nutritional standpoint, these egg rolls are a source of calories primarily derived from carbohydrates and fats. The crust contributes significant refined carbohydrates, while the filling provides a modest amount of protein from the chicken and textured soy flour.

The ingredient list includes sugar in the filling and monoammonium glutamate (MSG) as a flavor enhancer. While MSG is generally recognized as safe by the FDA, some individuals prefer to avoid it. The presence of FD&C Yellow #5 & #6 in the crust indicates the use of artificial food coloring, which is a common additive in processed foods but is sometimes avoided by those with specific sensitivities.