Is Bob's Red Mill Tapioca Flour Gluten-Free?

According to the Celiac Disease Foundation, a food product labeled "gluten-free" must contain less than 20 parts per million of gluten. So, is Bob's Red Mill tapioca flour gluten-free? The answer is a clear and resounding yes, thanks to both the nature of the ingredient and the company's dedicated manufacturing practices.

Quick Summary

Bob's Red Mill Tapioca Flour is a safe and trusted option for those on a gluten-free diet. It is made from naturally gluten-free cassava root and processed in a dedicated facility to prevent cross-contamination. Strict quality control ensures product integrity.

Key Points

• Certified Gluten-Free: Bob's Red Mill tapioca flour is produced in a dedicated gluten-free facility and is tested to ensure less than 20 ppm of gluten.

• Derived from Cassava: The flour comes from the starchy root of the cassava plant, which is naturally gluten-free.

• Processed Separately: All gluten-free products from Bob's Red Mill are handled in a separate building to avoid cross-contamination from gluten-containing grains.

• Versatile Ingredient: Tapioca flour is a useful thickening and binding agent that adds chewiness to baked goods.

• Different from Cassava Flour: Unlike cassava flour, which uses the entire root, tapioca flour is the extracted starch and has a neutral flavor.

• Quality Control: The company uses an ELISA Gluten Assay test on every batch to verify its gluten-free status before packaging.

Why Bob's Red Mill Tapioca Flour is Gluten-Free

The Source: Naturally Gluten-Free Cassava Root

At its core, tapioca flour is made from the cassava plant, a root vegetable that is naturally and inherently gluten-free. The process involves peeling and grating the cassava tuber, extracting the starchy liquid, and then drying it into a fine powder. Since the raw ingredient contains no gluten proteins, the finished tapioca flour is naturally free of gluten. For those with celiac disease or a non-celiac gluten sensitivity, the journey toward a safe product doesn't end with the raw ingredient, however. The manufacturing environment is just as critical.

Bob's Red Mill's Dedicated Gluten-Free Facility

Bob's Red Mill goes above and beyond to ensure the safety and purity of its gluten-free products. The company operates a dedicated, separate 58,200-square-foot facility solely for its gluten-free items, which includes tapioca flour. This facility has its own specialized equipment, mixers, and packaging lines that never come into contact with gluten-containing grains. This stringent isolation protocol is essential to prevent any risk of cross-contamination during processing and packaging.

• Ingredient Testing: Every single batch of tapioca flour is tested in the company's quality control laboratory using an ELISA Gluten Assay test to confirm it meets the standard of less than 20 ppm of gluten.
• Certified Gluten-Free: Many Bob's Red Mill products, including tapioca flour, carry a certification logo from the Gluten-Free Certification Organization (GFCO) or their own red 'GF' logo, indicating their strict protocols.
• Labeling Transparency: The product packaging explicitly states that the tapioca flour is gluten-free, providing clear guidance for consumers with dietary restrictions.

Understanding Tapioca Flour and its Uses

Tapioca flour, also known as tapioca starch, is a versatile and valuable ingredient for gluten-free baking and cooking. It serves multiple purposes, primarily acting as a thickening agent and a binder in recipes that need structure without gluten. When combined with liquid, it creates a paste-like substance that gives baked goods a desirable chewy texture and adds a glossy finish to sauces and gravies.

A Quick Guide to Tapioca Flour Uses

• As a thickener: Create a slurry by whisking tapioca flour with a small amount of cold water before adding it to hot liquids. It is an excellent thickener for soups, sauces, gravies, and fruit pie fillings.
• In baking: Use tapioca flour as part of a gluten-free flour blend to add chewiness, elasticity, and structure. It works well in recipes for Brazilian cheese bread, pizza crust, and various gluten-free breads and pastries.
• Binding agent: It helps to hold ingredients together in recipes for items like burgers, meatballs, and gluten-free cookies, mimicking the binding properties of gluten.
• Crispy coating: When used as a coating for fried foods, tapioca flour provides a light and crispy exterior.

Comparison: Tapioca Flour vs. Cassava Flour

While often confused, tapioca flour and cassava flour are distinct products made from the same cassava root. Understanding the difference is crucial for proper recipe use, especially for those in the gluten-free community.

Feature	Bob's Red Mill Tapioca Flour	Other Brands' Cassava Flour	Bob's Red Mill All-Purpose Gluten-Free Flour
Source	Starch extracted from the peeled and pulped cassava root.	Made from the entire cassava root, including the fiber.	A blend of multiple flours, including tapioca, garbanzo bean, and sorghum.
Texture	Fine, white, and silky powder.	Heavier and coarser texture.	A fine texture designed to mimic all-purpose wheat flour.
Flavor	Neutral, odorless, and tasteless.	Slightly nutty and earthy flavor.	Neutral, designed not to overpower baked goods.
Best Uses	Thickening agent for sauces, binding agent for chewy baked goods, creating crispy coatings.	1:1 replacement for wheat flour in many recipes due to its high fiber content.	Versatile 1:1 replacement for wheat flour in a wide range of baking recipes.
Processing	Processed to remove cyanogenic glucosides and dried into a fine starch.	Ground from the entire root, maintaining fiber.	Milled and mixed in a dedicated gluten-free facility.

Conclusion: Confidently Choosing Bob's Red Mill

For those seeking a truly reliable and safe gluten-free ingredient, Bob's Red Mill Tapioca Flour is an excellent choice. The product is derived from the naturally gluten-free cassava root and is rigorously processed and tested in a dedicated gluten-free facility to prevent any chance of contamination. This commitment to purity and transparency ensures that individuals with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity can use the product with complete confidence. Always look for the 'Gluten-Free' seal and the company's clear labeling to confirm you are purchasing the right product for your needs.

For further reading on how to identify safe gluten-free products, refer to the guidelines published by the Celiac Disease Foundation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Bob's Red Mill tapioca flour made in a facility with other flours?

No, Bob's Red Mill tapioca flour is produced in a separate, dedicated 58,200-square-foot facility used exclusively for gluten-free products to prevent any cross-contamination.

Is tapioca naturally gluten-free?

Yes, tapioca is a starch extracted from the cassava root, a tuber that is inherently and naturally gluten-free.

How does Bob's Red Mill test its tapioca flour for gluten?

The company uses an ELISA Gluten Assay test in its quality control laboratory to test every batch of tapioca flour, confirming it meets the standard of less than 20 ppm of gluten.

How can I tell if a Bob's Red Mill product is gluten-free?

Look for the red 'GF' logo on the packaging, which signifies that the product was handled exclusively in their dedicated gluten-free facility and tested for integrity.

What is the difference between tapioca flour and cassava flour?

Tapioca flour is the extracted starch of the cassava root, while cassava flour is made from the entire, whole cassava root, including the fiber.

Can I use Bob's Red Mill tapioca flour for thickening sauces?

Yes, tapioca flour is an excellent thickening agent for sauces, soups, and gravies. For best results, mix it with cold water first to create a slurry before adding to hot liquids.

Is there a risk of cross-contact with nuts for Bob's Red Mill tapioca flour?

While the tapioca flour is processed in a dedicated gluten-free facility, some specific lines within the broader Bob's Red Mill operations may handle tree nuts and soy. For specific allergen concerns, the company advises contacting their customer service.