Does Sweet Vidalia Onion Barbecue Sauce contain dairy or gluten?

It does not contain dairy ingredients. It does not contain wheat ingredients, but it contains modified food starch which may be a wheat derivative, so it is not guaranteed gluten-free.

Is Sweet Vidalia Onion Barbecue Sauce good for weight loss?

No. It is very high in sugar and corn syrup, which adds empty calories to your meal.

Where can I buy Sweet Vidalia Onion Barbecue Sauce?

It is available at most major grocery chains, Walmart, and online through Amazon.

Is Sweet Vidalia Onion Barbecue Sauce safe for kids?

Yes, it is safe for kids, but be mindful of the high sugar content which can cause energy spikes.

Is Sweet Vidalia Onion Barbecue Sauce Gluten Free?

The short answer is: **Maybe**. While Sweet Vidalia Onion Barbecue Sauce does not list wheat, barley, or rye as ingredients, it contains 'modified food starch,' which requires a closer look. If you are highly sensitive to gluten or have Celiac disease, you should proceed with caution until you can verify the source of that specific starch.

The Ingredient Breakdown

As a food scientist, I look past the marketing on the front of the bottle and go straight to the ingredient label. For this sauce, the profile is a classic sweet-and-tangy blend, but there is one specific ingredient that creates a gray area for gluten-free diets.

The primary sweeteners are high fructose corn syrup and brown sugar. These are naturally gluten-free and provide that sticky texture we associate with good barbecue. The acidity comes from distilled vinegar. It is important to know that the distillation process removes gluten proteins, so even if the vinegar were derived from a gluten grain, the final product would be safe.

The main flag in this formulation is modified food starch. In the United States, manufacturers are not required to disclose the source of the starch on the label. It is often derived from corn, which is safe. However, it can also be derived from wheat. Without a 'Certified Gluten-Free' seal on the packaging, we cannot guarantee that the modified food starch isn't a wheat derivative.

Finally, we see natural smoke flavor and spices. While these are generally safe, 'natural flavor' can sometimes be a carrier for gluten if it is processed on shared equipment. However, the modified food starch remains the primary suspect here.

🚫 Culprit Ingredients:

modified food starch

Nutritional Value

If you are monitoring your sugar intake, this sauce is something you need to measure carefully. The ingredient list is dominated by sweeteners, starting with high fructose corn syrup and brown sugar, followed by regular sugar and corn syrup. This results in a high glycemic load, meaning it will spike your blood sugar relatively quickly.

Regarding fat and calories, this sauce is quite lean. It is tomato-paste based, so it is naturally low in fat. However, the sodium content is moderate due to the added salt and preservatives like sodium benzoate. It fits into a low-fat diet easily, but for those on a low-sodium or low-sugar diet (like Keto or Paleo), this product is likely not a match.