Is Tomato Soup Gluten Free?

The Ingredient Breakdown

As a food scientist, I always look at the ingredient list first to determine safety for specific diets. For this Tomato Soup, the verdict is clear: it contains gluten. The primary culprit is Refined Wheat Flour (Maida). In many commercial soups, wheat flour is used as a cheap and effective thickener to create that creamy texture without using dairy. However, wheat is one of the main sources of gluten.

Furthermore, the label explicitly states Contains Wheat at the end of the ingredient list. This is a regulatory requirement to protect consumers. Even if the wheat flour wasn't listed in the main ingredients, this warning confirms its presence. Additionally, the Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein listed is often derived from soy or wheat; without a specific source listed, it adds to the ambiguity, though the wheat warning covers this.

There is also a May Contain Traces of Milk, Mustard, Soya, Celery & Nuts warning. This indicates that the soup is likely produced in a facility that handles these allergens. While not active ingredients, cross-contamination is a risk for those with severe anaphylactic reactions.

Nutritional Value

Looking at the nutritional profile, this soup is a mix of convenience and processed ingredients. The base is Tomato Paste Solids (15%), which provides the core flavor and some lycopene (an antioxidant). However, the addition of Sugar and Hydrogenated Palm Oil increases the calorie and saturated fat content.

The Maize Starch and Thickener - 415 (Xanthan Gum) contribute to the texture, but the reliance on Refined Wheat Flour adds simple carbohydrates. For those watching their sodium intake, the lodised salt and flavor enhancers (627 & 631) likely make the sodium content quite high. This soup fits into a standard diet as an occasional meal, but it is not a 'health food' due to the processing and additives.