Granola seems like it should be gluten-free by default. It's oats, nuts, seeds, and maple syrup, right? Not quite. Whether a bag of granola is safe for someone with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity comes down to two questions: what's in it, and where was it made?
Why oats alone aren't the whole answer
Oats are naturally gluten-free. The problem is cross-contamination. Conventionally grown oats are often rotated with wheat, transported in shared equipment, and processed in facilities that handle gluten-containing grains. The result: oats that started gluten-free can end up with gluten in them by the time they reach a bakery.
What "certified gluten-free" actually certifies
A certification isn't just a claim on a label. For Hudson Henry, it means:
- Testing: finished granola is tested regularly to GFCO's standard of 10 parts per million of gluten or less, stricter than the FDA's 20 ppm limit for gluten-free foods
- Controls: ingredient sourcing and production processes designed to prevent cross-contact with gluten-containing grains
- Ongoing audits: the certification is maintained over time, not earned once
Every Hudson Henry flavor, from Maple Pecan Coconut to Chocolate Pecan, is certified gluten-free.
Granola ingredients that can hide gluten
Beyond the oats themselves, watch for these in granola labels:
- Wheat germ or barley malt as a sweetener or binder
- Fillers and crisps made from wheat flour
- Flavorings processed on shared equipment
Our recipes contain none of these. Here's what's in them instead: gluten-free oats, nuts, seeds, coconut, pure maple syrup, extra virgin olive oil or organic coconut oil, brown sugar, sea salt, and in some flavors vanilla and cinnamon. In Chocolate Pecan, dairy-free dark chocolate chips.
The vegan bonus
For people juggling multiple dietary needs: all of our flavors are also vegan and Non-GMO Project Verified. Chocolate Pecan uses dairy-free chocolate chips, so the whole line works for gluten-free, dairy-free, and plant-based eaters alike.
Where to start
If you're new to us, the Classic Trio bundles three certified gluten-free flavors in one gift-ready set, or browse every individual bag.
Short answer for the skimmers: yes, Hudson Henry granola is gluten-free, and it's certified, not just claimed.
