Is Organic Freeze-Dried Strawberry & Banana Yogurt Bites Gluten Free?

The Ingredient Breakdown

When determining if a snack is safe for a gluten-free diet, we have to look beyond the obvious fruit flavors and examine the structural ingredients. For these Organic Freeze-Dried Strawberry & Banana Yogurt Bites, the verdict is clear: they are free of gluten-containing grains. Let's look at the specific components that make up this snack.

The base of the bite is ORGANIC CULTURED REDUCED FAT MILK and ORGANIC NONFAT DRY MILK. These provide the creamy texture and protein, but they are naturally gluten-free. Similarly, the fruit content comes from ORGANIC STRAWBERRY PUREE and ORGANIC BANANA PUREE. While purees are generally safe, it is worth noting that the banana puree includes CITRIC ACID and ASCORBIC ACID, which are standard preservatives and do not pose a gluten risk.

Texture in freeze-dried snacks often comes from starches. Here, the manufacturer uses ORGANIC TAPIOCA STARCH. Tapioca is derived from the cassava root and is an excellent gluten-free alternative to wheat starch. You will also find PECTIN, a plant-based gelling agent commonly used in fruit snacks, and ORGANIC INULIN, a prebiotic fiber often sourced from chicory root. None of these ingredients contain gluten. Finally, the sweetness is derived from ORGANIC SUGAR and ORGANIC NATURAL FLAVORS, which are safe for this diet.

Nutritional Value

While being gluten-free makes these bites accessible, the nutritional profile determines how they fit into a healthy lifestyle. The primary ingredients are milk and fruit purees, meaning you are getting a mix of dairy protein and fruit sugars. The addition of ORGANIC SUGAR indicates that these bites are sweetened, likely to balance the tartness of the cultured milk and the acidity of the fruit.

Because the milk is reduced fat and the fruit is freeze-dried (which removes water but keeps calories), these bites are relatively calorie-dense compared to fresh fruit. However, they are likely lower in fat than traditional fried chips. The inclusion of ORGANIC INULIN is a nutritional plus, as it acts as a fiber that supports digestion. If you are monitoring your sugar intake, these should be eaten in moderation, as the natural fruit sugars are concentrated in the freeze-drying process and supplemented with added sugar.