Is Nabisco triscuit crackers cracked pepper and olive oil 1x9 oz Gluten Free?

The Ingredient Breakdown

As a food scientist, I look at the ingredient list to determine safety for specific dietary needs. For the Nabisco Triscuit Crackers Cracked Pepper and Olive Oil, the verdict is clear right from the start. The very first ingredient is Whole Grain Wheat. Wheat is one of the three main grains (along with rye and barley) that contain gluten proteins. For a product to be considered gluten-free, it must not contain any of these grains or their derivatives.

The rest of the ingredient list includes Vegetable Oil (soybean and/or canola), Maltodextrin, Salt, Black Pepper, Onion Powder, Garlic Powder, Olive Oil, Citric Acid, and Natural Flavor. While most of these are safe, the presence of Maltodextrin is worth noting. Maltodextrin is a starch derived from grains; if it is derived from wheat in the United States, it is technically considered gluten-free by the FDA because the processing removes the gluten protein. However, because the base ingredient is wheat and the main cracker is wheat-based, the entire product is unsafe for a gluten-free diet.

Additionally, the label specifies that the Natural Flavor contains Celery. This is important for those with allergies, but it does not impact the gluten status. The core issue remains the Whole Grain Wheat base.

Nutritional Value

From a nutritional standpoint, these crackers offer some benefits but also come with standard processed snack trade-offs. A standard serving provides a decent amount of dietary fiber because of the whole grains. However, they are calorie-dense due to the oils used for baking.

The crackers contain Vegetable Oil and Olive Oil. While olive oil is often touted for its heart-healthy monounsaturated fats, the inclusion of soybean or canola oil adds to the total fat content. There is a small amount of sugar (less than 1g) and a moderate amount of sodium, which is typical for savory seasoned crackers. If you are monitoring your sodium intake or looking for a low-fat snack, this might not be the best choice, but as an occasional treat, the whole grain content offers more nutritional density than many refined-flour crackers.