Are Bubbly Waters Gluten-Free? Your Complete Guide

December 5, 2025 •

3 min read

Over 3 million Americans have celiac disease, making ingredient scrutiny a daily habit. A common question arises when choosing beverages: are bubbly waters gluten-free? The simple answer is that most plain carbonated water is inherently free of gluten, but the risk grows with added ingredients.

Quick Summary

Most plain bubbly waters consist only of water and carbon dioxide, making them naturally gluten-free. Flavored varieties, however, require label checking for ingredients or cross-contamination that could introduce gluten into the product. Seeking certified products offers the safest option.

Key Points

Plain is safe: Plain sparkling, seltzer, and mineral water are naturally gluten-free as they only contain water and carbon dioxide.
Flavored needs vetting: Flavored varieties are where diligence is necessary; always check the label for gluten-free certification or claims.
Look for certifications: The safest choice is a product with a "Certified Gluten-Free" seal from a recognized third-party organization.
Check ingredients carefully: Be wary of ambiguous "natural flavorings" and watch for malt, barley, or other potential grain-based additives.
Be mindful of contamination: For the highly sensitive, consider contacting manufacturers to ask about cross-contamination protocols, especially for smaller brands.
Many brands are safe: Numerous popular brands, including LaCroix, Spindrift, and Waterloo, are explicitly gluten-free and transparent about their ingredients.

The Basics of Bubbly Water Ingredients

Plain bubbly water, often called sparkling water, seltzer, or club soda, is simply water that has been infused with carbon dioxide (CO2) gas under pressure. Gluten is a protein found in grains like wheat, barley, and rye, which are not components of plain water or carbonation. Therefore, in its most basic form, bubbly water is completely gluten-free.

Seltzer: Plain water with added carbonation. No other minerals are added.
Club Soda: Carbonated water with added minerals like sodium bicarbonate and potassium sulfate for a slightly different taste profile.
Sparkling Mineral Water: Water from a natural spring containing naturally occurring minerals. The carbonation can be natural or added.

Navigating the Flavored Varieties

Where caution is needed is with flavored bubbly waters. While many popular brands explicitly state their flavored options are gluten-free, the addition of "natural flavors" can sometimes be a source of ambiguity. The specific sourcing and processing of these flavorings are critical. Some manufacturers derive their flavorings from gluten-containing grains, or worse, there could be a risk of cross-contamination in shared facilities.

How to Read a Label for Gluten-Free Confidence

For those with celiac disease or severe gluten sensitivity, merely assuming a product is safe is not enough. You should always consult the product label with a critical eye. Here's a breakdown of what to look for:

"Gluten-Free" Claim: The most straightforward assurance is a clear "Gluten-Free" claim on the packaging. For a product to be labeled as such in the United States, it must contain less than 20 parts per million of gluten, as per FDA guidelines.
Certified Gluten-Free: Even better than a simple claim is a certification seal from an organization like the Gluten-Free Certification Organization (GFCO). These seals indicate the product has undergone rigorous third-party testing to ensure it meets strict gluten-free standards.
Ingredients List: If no gluten-free label is present, carefully review the ingredients list. While rare in simple bubbly water, be wary of ambiguous terms like "natural flavorings" if the company's gluten-free status isn't confirmed. Look out for grain-based ingredients like malt.

Potential for Cross-Contamination

While the risk is low, cross-contamination is a possibility in any shared manufacturing environment. For individuals with high sensitivity, contacting the manufacturer directly to inquire about their production processes is the safest route. This is especially relevant for smaller, lesser-known brands or those producing other gluten-containing products in the same facility.

Choosing the Right Bubbly Water: A Comparison

To help simplify your choices, here is a comparison of some popular bubbly water options based on their known gluten-free status.


Brand	Type	Gluten-Free Status	Key Notes
LaCroix	Flavored Seltzer	All flavors are gluten-free	Clearly states all products are GF and Vegan.
Waterloo	Flavored Seltzer	All flavors are naturally gluten-free	Popular for using fruit-based flavor extracts.
Perrier	Mineral Water	All products, including flavored, are gluten-free	Naturally carbonated mineral water.
Bubly	Flavored Sparkling Water	Not formally certified, but ingredients not grain-derived	Owned by PepsiCo. Pepsico states ingredients are not from gluten grains.
Spindrift	Flavored Sparkling Water	GFCO certified	Uses real squeezed fruit for flavor.
Polar Seltzer	Flavored Seltzer	All flavored seltzers are gluten-free	A long-standing brand known for its wide flavor range.
Topo Chico	Mineral Water	Naturally gluten-free	Highly mineralized water from Mexico.

Disclaimer: Product formulations can change. Always check the most current labeling before consumption. This table is for informational purposes and is not exhaustive.

Conclusion: Making Informed Choices

For those with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity, the world of bubbly water offers many safe and delicious options. The key is to exercise due diligence by reading labels, looking for certifications, and being aware of potential risks. Most plain seltzers and mineral waters are safe by default. When venturing into flavored varieties, sticking with brands that are explicitly labeled or certified gluten-free is the safest bet. Enjoy your fizz with peace of mind by making informed choices every time you shop for your favorite refreshing bubbly beverage. For additional verification, consult reputable sources like Celiac.com.

Visit Celiac.com for more information on gluten-free foods and products.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, plain sparkling water is naturally gluten-free as it contains only water and carbon dioxide, neither of which are sources of gluten.

Not always. While most are safe, the sourcing of "natural flavors" isn't always disclosed. The safest approach is to choose products that are explicitly labeled or certified gluten-free.

The best methods are to check for a certified gluten-free label, review the ingredients list, or contact the manufacturer directly to ask about their sourcing and manufacturing practices.

Yes, cross-contamination is possible, particularly in facilities that produce other products containing gluten. Brands that have a formal gluten-free certification often have stricter protocols to minimize this risk.

For a gluten-free diet, there is no significant difference, as both are typically safe in their plain form. The distinction lies in whether minerals are added (sparkling mineral water) or not (seltzer).

Yes, both LaCroix and Waterloo have confirmed that their flavored sparkling waters are gluten-free and safe for a gluten-free diet.

While the carbonation itself does not contain gluten, some individuals with celiac or other gastrointestinal issues find that the carbonation can sometimes cause bloating or irritation. This varies from person to person.