Is Original Moose Tracks Vanilla Ice Cream Gluten Free?

The Ingredient Breakdown

As a food scientist, I always look beyond the marketing claims and dive straight into the label. For Original Moose Tracks Vanilla Ice Cream, the verdict is clear: it is safe for a gluten-free diet. The base ingredients—Skim Milk, Cream, and Sugar—are naturally free of gluten. The complexity usually lies in the mix-ins and flavor swirls.

Let's look at the Moose Tracks Fudge Swirl. The primary thickener here is Cornstarch. Unlike modified food starch, which can sometimes be derived from wheat (though usually processed to remove gluten), cornstarch is explicitly derived from corn and is safe. The Chocolaty Peanut Butter Cups rely on standard sugar and cocoa processing. Crucially, there are no oat ingredients listed. While oats are a common source of hidden gluten due to cross-contamination in processing facilities, this product avoids them entirely. Therefore, the risk of cross-contamination within the ingredients themselves is virtually non-existent.

Nutritional Value

While this ice cream is chemically gluten-free, it is energy-dense. A standard serving packs a significant amount of Saturated Fat derived from the heavy cream and the vegetable oils in the fudge swirl. The sugar content is high, coming from both the base ice cream and the powdered sugar in the fudge. For those on a strict diet, this fits within a 'treat' category rather than a nutritional staple. It provides calcium and protein from the dairy, but the calorie-to-nutrient ratio suggests moderation is key.