Is Organic Almond Unsweetened Original Almond Beverage Gluten Free?

The Ingredient Breakdown

As a food scientist, I look for hidden gluten sources like wheat starch or barley malt. In this specific Organic Almond Unsweetened Original Almond Beverage, the formulation is clean regarding gluten. The primary component is filtered water mixed with organic almonds. This creates a naturally gluten-free base.

The additives present are primarily for texture and fortification. Ingredients like gellan gum and xanthan gum are polysaccharides derived from fermentation, which are universally gluten-free and safe for Celiacs. The fortification blend, including vitamin a palmitate, vitamin d2, and cyanocobalamin (vitamin b12), uses synthetic or plant-derived sources that do not contain gluten.

While the ingredients are safe, the manufacturing environment is the final hurdle. However, this product does not list any flags for shared equipment with wheat products. Because almond milk is naturally free of gluten, manufacturers typically avoid producing it on the same lines as oat or wheat products to prevent allergen cross-contact.

Nutritional Value

This beverage is designed to be a low-calorie alternative to dairy. It contains zero grams of added sugar, which is excellent for those monitoring glycemic load. The fat content is derived naturally from the organic almonds, providing a small amount of healthy monounsaturated fats without being calorie-dense.

It is fortified with tricalcium phosphate, which provides calcium comparable to dairy milk, and includes a suite of B vitamins and Vitamin E. This makes it a nutritionally viable option for those on a gluten-free diet who may otherwise lack certain micronutrients found in fortified cereals.