Is Tomato Puree Gluten Free?

The Ingredient Breakdown

As a food scientist, I look at the chemistry of a product to determine its safety. When analyzing this Tomato Puree, the verdict is clear: it is inherently free of gluten proteins. Let's look at the specific components.

The primary ingredient is a blend of Water and Tomato Paste. Tomatoes are fruits and naturally contain no gluten. The processing of tomato paste into puree simply involves dilution, a mechanical step that does not introduce allergens.

Next, we have Salt and Citric Acid. Salt is a mineral, and citric acid is typically derived from the fermentation of corn or molasses. Neither of these additives is a source of gluten. Unlike thickeners or flavorings found in more complex sauces, this puree relies on simplicity, which significantly lowers the risk of hidden gluten.

Nutritional Value

From a nutritional standpoint, this tomato puree is a low-calorie, low-fat option. A standard serving typically contains minimal fat—often less than 1 gram—making it excellent for heart-health conscious diets. The calorie count is also very low, usually hovering around 20-30 calories per half-cup serving, primarily derived from the natural sugars found in tomatoes.

Because the ingredients are simple, it fits well into various diet limits. It is naturally vegan and low-carb friendly. However, if you are monitoring your sodium intake, be mindful of the Salt content, as canned purees can vary. Overall, it provides a good source of lycopene without the heavy caloric load of cream-based sauces.