Is Pacific Foods Chicken and Wild Rice Soup Gluten Free?

December 10, 2025 •

4 min read

According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), foods labeled "gluten-free" must contain less than 20 parts per million of gluten. Pacific Foods Chicken and Wild Rice Soup is explicitly labeled as gluten-free, providing a clear indication for those with celiac disease or gluten sensitivities.

Quick Summary

Pacific Foods Organic Chicken and Wild Rice Soup is labeled gluten-free, with ingredients like wild rice and cornstarch used instead of gluten-containing thickeners. Safety is confirmed by its organic certification and dedicated processing standards.

Key Points

Explicitly Labeled: Pacific Foods Chicken and Wild Rice Soup is clearly marked as gluten-free on the packaging, confirming its safety for a gluten-free diet.
Cornstarch Thickener: Unlike many conventional soups, this product uses cornstarch as a thickener, avoiding the wheat flour that can contain gluten.
FDA Compliant: As a gluten-free labeled product, it meets the FDA requirement of containing less than 20 parts per million of gluten.
High-Quality Ingredients: The soup features naturally gluten-free wild and brown rice, along with organic vegetables and chicken.
Reputable Producer: Pacific Foods is a trusted brand with a range of certified gluten-free products, indicating reliable manufacturing standards.
Cross-Contamination Mitigation: While exact manufacturing specifics are not always public, the organic certification and clear labeling suggest careful production to minimize cross-contamination risks.

Verifying the Gluten-Free Status of Pacific Foods Chicken and Wild Rice Soup

For individuals with celiac disease or non-celiac gluten sensitivity, reading product labels is a crucial daily task. While many canned soups utilize wheat-based thickeners, the Pacific Foods Organic Chicken and Wild Rice Soup is a notable exception. The product is clearly marked as gluten-free, and a careful review of its ingredients confirms the absence of gluten-containing grains. This transparency allows consumers to enjoy this flavorful soup without concern over hidden gluten.

The Ingredients that Matter

When examining the ingredient list, you'll find a clear picture of what makes this soup gluten-free. The thickening agent is cornstarch, not a wheat-based flour, which is a key substitution. The soup also contains brown rice and wild rice, both of which are naturally gluten-free grains. The rest of the ingredients consist of chicken stock, organic vegetables like carrots, onions, and celery, and seasonings, none of which contain gluten. This is a significant distinction from many traditional soups that rely on malt, modified food starch, or other derivatives that could harbor gluten.

Understanding Gluten-Free Labeling

The FDA has strict regulations for products that carry a gluten-free label. A food can only be labeled "gluten-free," "no gluten," "free of gluten," or "without gluten" if it contains less than 20 parts per million of gluten. This ensures that the product is safe for most individuals with celiac disease. Pacific Foods' commitment to this standard is a strong signal to consumers that their claims are reliable. The company also maintains a dedicated list of its gluten-free products, offering an extra layer of assurance for those who need to strictly avoid gluten.

Comparing Gluten-Free and Non-Gluten-Free Soups

To highlight the importance of product selection, here is a comparison between Pacific Foods' gluten-free option and a hypothetical traditional canned soup:


Feature	Pacific Foods Organic Chicken and Wild Rice Soup	Traditional Canned Chicken Soup (Hypothetical)
Thickener	Cornstarch	Wheat Flour, Modified Food Starch
Grains	Wild Rice, Brown Rice	Often Contains Noodles or Barley
Gluten Label	Clearly Marked "Gluten-Free"	Not Labeled Gluten-Free, may contain gluten
Allergen Statement	Will not list wheat	Will likely list "Contains: Wheat"
Primary Goal	Catering to gluten-sensitive diets	Standard market product

The Risk of Cross-Contamination

For those with severe gluten sensitivities or celiac disease, the risk of cross-contamination during manufacturing is a major concern. It's not enough for a product to simply be made with gluten-free ingredients; it must also be processed in a way that prevents contact with gluten-containing items. Pacific Foods has a reputation for high standards, which is further supported by their USDA Organic certification. While specific details about their manufacturing facilities are not always public, the combination of a gluten-free label and organic status suggests a high level of care in their production processes to prevent such contamination. However, extremely sensitive individuals might still choose to contact the company directly for confirmation on specific products or batch processing.

Making a Safe and Informed Choice

Choosing a pre-made soup can be convenient, but for those on a gluten-free diet, it requires vigilance. The Pacific Foods Chicken and Wild Rice Soup is a reliable choice, given its clear labeling and transparent ingredient list. For other products, it is essential to read labels carefully, checking for hidden gluten sources like malt flavoring, brewer's yeast, or unnamed "spices". When in doubt, a quick check on the manufacturer's website or contacting their customer service can provide the necessary information. Building the habit of checking labels for the official FDA-approved gluten-free logo is the best defense against accidental gluten exposure. This careful approach ensures that a dietary restriction doesn't become a compromise on flavor or convenience. For more information on safely navigating a gluten-free lifestyle, the Celiac Disease Foundation offers excellent resources on label reading and finding safe foods.

Conclusion: A Clear and Safe Option

In summary, Pacific Foods Chicken and Wild Rice Soup is indeed gluten-free. The product is clearly labeled to meet FDA standards, relies on naturally gluten-free ingredients like wild rice and cornstarch, and is produced by a company known for its high-quality organic standards. For anyone navigating a gluten-free diet, this soup offers a safe, convenient, and flavorful meal option. It serves as a great example of how food manufacturers can create delicious products that cater to specific dietary needs without sacrificing quality or taste. Always double-check the label on any product you purchase to ensure it explicitly states "gluten-free" to protect against any formulation changes over time.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, Pacific Foods offers a variety of other soups that are also gluten-free, including their Creamy Tomato and Butternut Squash soups.

Yes, wild rice is naturally a gluten-free grass seed and is a safe ingredient for those on a gluten-free diet.

Always check the ingredient list for obvious gluten sources like wheat, barley, or rye. The most reliable method is to look for an official "gluten-free" label on the packaging, as regulated by the FDA.

While the Pacific Foods product is labeled gluten-free, cross-contamination is a risk in any food production facility. The FDA label standard is intended to address this, but extremely sensitive individuals may prefer to contact the manufacturer.

The key is the use of cornstarch as a thickener instead of wheat flour. This ensures the soup achieves the desired consistency without introducing gluten.

No, not all Pacific Foods soups are gluten-free. It is important to always check the label of each specific product to confirm its gluten-free status.

Yes, the packaging is noted to be BPA-free, and the gluten-free label ensures the contents are safe. For those with celiac disease, the main concern is the ingredients and production process, both of which are carefully handled for this product.