Is Oak-Aged Vanilla Gluten Free?

The Ingredient Breakdown

As a food scientist, I look for specific red flags when analyzing products for gluten content. For Oak-Aged Vanilla, the ingredient profile is surprisingly clean regarding grains. The base consists of organic skim milk and organic cream. These are dairy products, not grains, and are naturally gluten-free. The primary sweetener is organic cane sugar, which is distinct from malt sugar (derived from barley) and is safe for a gluten-free diet.

The thickening agents used here are organic carob bean gum and organic dextrose. Carob bean gum comes from the carob tree and is a standard gluten-free stabilizer. The organic dextrose is a form of sugar. While dextrose can technically be derived from wheat, the FDA considers highly refined sugars like this to be gluten-free and safe for celiacs. Finally, the flavor profile comes from oakwood extract and organic vanilla extract. Oakwood is a tree product, and vanilla is an orchid product; neither contains gluten. There are no thickeners derived from wheat flour or flavorings derived from barley malt.

Nutritional Value

From a nutritional standpoint, Oak-Aged Vanilla is a dairy-based dessert topping. It contains organic cane sugar and organic dextrose, meaning sugar is the primary driver of its calorie count. It also contains organic cream, which contributes to the saturated fat content. While it fits within a gluten-free diet, it is not a low-calorie or low-sugar food. If you are managing diabetes or following a strict weight-loss plan, you should treat this as a dessert rather than a dietary staple, as the added sugars can impact blood glucose levels despite being organic.