Is Organic Apple, Strawberry, Beetroot with Chia Seeds Fruit & Veggie Bites Gluten Free?

The Ingredient Breakdown

As a food scientist, I look for specific red flags when certifying a product as gluten-free. The primary culprits in snacks are usually fillers, binders, or flavorings. Let's look at the specific components of these bites.

The base of the product relies on Organic Apple Puree Concentrate and Organic Apple Juice Concentrate. These are fruit-derived ingredients and are naturally free of gluten. To bind the purees together, the manufacturer uses Organic Rice Flour and Citrus Pectin. Rice flour is a staple gluten-free grain, and pectin is a plant-based gelling agent derived from citrus fruits. Neither poses a gluten risk.

For flavor and nutritional density, the product includes Organic Strawberry Puree, Organic Chia Seeds, and Organic Beet Juice Concentrate. Chia seeds are naturally gluten-free and are an excellent source of fiber. The inclusion of Natural Flavor is generally safe in certified organic products, as strict regulations usually prevent the use of gluten-containing carriers in natural flavorings. There are no hidden gluten sources in this formula.

Nutritional Value

From a nutritional standpoint, these bites function as a concentrated fruit snack. The primary macronutrient is carbohydrate, derived almost entirely from the fruit purees and juice concentrates. This means the sugar content is naturally occurring (fructose), though it can still be significant due to the concentration process.

Because the ingredients are primarily fruit with a small amount of chia seeds and rice flour, the fat and protein content are relatively low. This is not a high-protein snack. It fits well into a diet focused on whole foods or plant-based eating, but for those strictly monitoring blood sugar, portion control is key due to the density of the fruit sugars.