Is Everything Spice Gluten-Free? What to Know About Everything Bagel Seasoning

October 29, 2025 •

2 min read

According to a report from the Celiac Disease Foundation, as many as 30% of pre-packaged seasonings can contain undeclared gluten, making it vital to check before assuming your favorite everything spice is gluten-free. This guide helps you navigate the risks and find a safe option.

Quick Summary

This guide explains if everything bagel spice is gluten-free by exploring its ingredients and potential cross-contamination risks. Learn how to read labels, find certified products, and ensure your seasoning is safe.

Key Points

Core Ingredients: The basic components of everything bagel spice—sesame seeds, poppy seeds, dried garlic, and dried onion—are naturally gluten-free.
Cross-Contamination Risk: The main danger comes from manufacturing facilities that process both gluten and gluten-free products, leading to potential contamination.
Hidden Additives: Some commercial blends use wheat-based fillers or anti-caking agents that contain gluten.
Certified Products are Safest: The most reliable option is to choose products with a third-party gluten-free certification, such as GFCO, for guaranteed safety.
Avoid Bulk Bins: Bulk spices carry a high risk of contamination from shared equipment and scoops, making them unsafe for sensitive individuals.
Homemade is a Safe Bet: Making your own everything spice at home using single-ingredient spices is the best way to ensure it is 100% gluten-free.

The Core Ingredients: Naturally Gluten-Free

Classic everything bagel seasoning typically includes sesame seeds (white and black), poppy seeds, dried minced garlic, dried minced onion, and coarse sea salt. These ingredients are naturally gluten-free. The concern for those with gluten sensitivities or celiac disease arises during commercial processing and packaging.

The Hidden Risks: Where Gluten Sneaks In

Even though the base ingredients are gluten-free, contamination can occur in several ways during the production of commercial everything spice blends.

Cross-Contamination

Cross-contamination is a significant risk in facilities that process both gluten-containing and gluten-free products on shared equipment. Trace amounts of gluten can remain even after cleaning, potentially contaminating spice batches.

Added Fillers

Some manufacturers may add fillers or anti-caking agents to spice blends. While many are gluten-free, some can be wheat-based. Ingredients like modified food starch or maltodextrin are usually safe unless derived from wheat, which must be indicated on the label in the US.

Bulk Bins

Bulk spice bins in grocery stores are particularly risky due to shared scoops and proximity to gluten-containing items, making cross-contamination highly likely.

Navigating the Spice Aisle: Your Gluten-Free Checklist

To find a safe everything spice, look for products with official third-party certifications like GFCO. Always read ingredient lists for gluten sources like wheat, barley, or rye, and check for allergen warnings about shared facilities. If in doubt, contact the manufacturer.

Comparison of Everything Spice Brands


Brand	Gluten Status	Certification	Notes
Noble Made	Gluten-Free	GFCO Certified
McCormick	Varies	Labeled GF options	Check individual product labels.
Trader Joe's	Not Labeled GF	None mentioned	Ingredients typically gluten-free, but no certification.
Morton & Bassett	Certified Gluten-Free	NSF	All spices are certified gluten-free.
Homemade Blend	Guaranteed GF	Not Applicable	Control all ingredients yourself.

How to Make Your Own Safe Everything Spice Blend

Making your own ensures a gluten-free blend. A simple recipe involves mixing white and black sesame seeds, poppy seeds, dried minced garlic and onion, and coarse sea salt. You can toast the sesame seeds for enhanced flavor.

Conclusion: Always Verify for a Safe Seasoning

While everything spice ingredients are naturally gluten-free, commercial products face risks of cross-contamination and hidden additives. For individuals with celiac disease, choosing certified gluten-free brands or making a homemade blend offers the most safety. Always read labels and be aware of potential risks in shared facilities or bulk bins. For more information on identifying gluten, refer to resources like the Celiac Disease Foundation's guide to gluten-free foods.

Frequently Asked Questions

Trader Joe's Everything but the Bagel Seasoning is not labeled or certified as gluten-free, even though its listed ingredients do not contain gluten. This means it carries a risk of cross-contamination for those with celiac disease.

A 'labeled' gluten-free product meets the FDA's standard of less than 20 ppm gluten. A 'certified' gluten-free product, verified by an organization like GFCO, often has a stricter standard (e.g., 10 ppm) and undergoes more rigorous testing and facility audits.

Yes, cross-contamination can happen in your own kitchen. To prevent this, use dedicated gluten-free utensils, store gluten-free spices in separate, clearly labeled containers, and ensure all prep surfaces are thoroughly cleaned.

Pure, single-ingredient spices are naturally gluten-free. However, they can still be contaminated during processing and packaging in facilities that handle other gluten-containing products. For celiac safety, opt for brands with a gluten-free certification.

Look for ingredients like wheat starch, wheat flour, barley malt, or maltodextrin if the source is not specified as wheat-free. The phrase 'natural flavors' should also be treated with caution unless the product is certified gluten-free.

No, bulk spice sections are not safe for people with celiac disease or high gluten sensitivity. The risk of cross-contamination from shared scoops and general product handling is significant.

The safest option is to buy a third-party certified gluten-free brand or to make your own blend at home using pure, single-ingredient spices from a trusted source with allergen controls.