Is Pepperidge Farm Farmhouse sourdough gluten-free? An Ingredient and Nutrition Breakdown

November 9, 2025 •

3 min read

Despite persistent misinformation found online, commercially produced sourdough bread, including Pepperidge Farm Farmhouse sourdough, is not gluten-free. For individuals with celiac disease or a serious gluten sensitivity, consuming this bread is not safe, as it contains multiple gluten-based ingredients.

Quick Summary

Pepperidge Farm Farmhouse sourdough is made with wheat-based flours and is not gluten-free. While the fermentation process may reduce some gluten, it does not eliminate it to safe levels for a gluten-free diet. This guide examines the product's ingredients, clarifies common myths, and provides safe alternatives.

Key Points

Not Gluten-Free: Pepperidge Farm Farmhouse sourdough contains enriched wheat flour, wheat gluten, and other gluten-containing grains, making it unsuitable for a gluten-free diet.
Misinformation is Dangerous: The belief that sourdough's fermentation process makes it gluten-free is a myth; it does not reduce gluten to the FDA-required safe level of 20 ppm for a gluten-free label.
Celiac Disease Risk: For individuals with celiac disease, consuming even small amounts of gluten from products like this can cause intestinal damage, even without noticeable symptoms.
Look for Certified Products: Always check for a 'Certified Gluten-Free' label on sourdough products to ensure they are made with safe, gluten-free ingredients.
DIY Alternatives Exist: You can make your own safe gluten-free sourdough at home using a dedicated gluten-free starter and flours like brown rice, sorghum, or buckwheat.
Check Other Product Lines: While the Farmhouse sourdough is not gluten-free, Pepperidge Farm does offer other select gluten-free products, such as certain cookies.

The Answer is a Firm 'No'

For anyone needing to adhere to a strict gluten-free diet, the Pepperidge Farm Farmhouse Sourdough is an unsuitable choice. This is confirmed by its ingredient list, which prominently features wheat and other gluten-containing grains. The manufacturer clearly labels that the product 'contains wheat, milk, and soy', and food analysis apps and sites also confirm its gluten content. The inclusion of enriched wheat flour, wheat gluten, and malted barley flour immediately disqualifies it from being considered gluten-free.

Why the Confusion About Sourdough and Gluten?

The misconception that all sourdough is gluten-free or safe for those with gluten sensitivities is a widespread but dangerous myth. This belief often stems from a misunderstanding of the fermentation process. While the long fermentation process used in traditional sourdough can partially break down gluten proteins, it does not eliminate them entirely.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requires that any product labeled 'gluten-free' must contain less than 20 parts per million (ppm) of gluten. Numerous tests have shown that wheat-based sourdough bread, even artisanal versions, contains significantly more gluten than this threshold. For individuals with celiac disease, even trace amounts can cause intestinal damage, regardless of whether they experience immediate symptoms. Therefore, relying on fermentation alone to make a product gluten-safe is risky and medically inadvisable.

Analyzing the Ingredients of Pepperidge Farm Farmhouse Sourdough

To understand why this product is not gluten-free, a quick look at the ingredients is essential. The Pepperidge Farm website lists the following key components:

Enriched Wheat Flour: The primary ingredient, which is a gluten-containing grain.
Rye Flour: Another grain that contains gluten.
Wheat Gluten: Added to improve texture and elasticity, a direct source of gluten.
Malted Barley Flour: Yet another gluten-containing grain used in the recipe.

These ingredients leave no room for doubt regarding the product's suitability for a gluten-free diet. The presence of milk and soy also indicates that individuals with allergies to those ingredients must also avoid this bread.

Seeking True Gluten-Free Sourdough Alternatives

For those who love the tangy flavor of sourdough but need a gluten-free option, several alternatives are available. The key is to look for breads explicitly labeled as gluten-free and made from naturally gluten-free flours, or to bake your own at home using a dedicated gluten-free starter.

Commercially Available Gluten-Free Sourdough

Several brands specialize in gluten-free products and offer sourdough varieties made with safe ingredients. When shopping, always look for a 'Certified Gluten-Free' label to ensure safety.

Bread SRSLY
Simple Kneads
New Grains
Ener-G
Young Kobras

DIY Gluten-Free Sourdough at Home

For the adventurous baker, making your own gluten-free sourdough can be a rewarding process. You'll need to create a starter from gluten-free flours and maintain strict control over cross-contamination.

Commonly used gluten-free flours for sourdough include:

Brown Rice Flour
Buckwheat Flour
Sorghum Flour
Millet Flour
Teff Flour

It is crucial to use a dedicated gluten-free sourdough starter and to ensure all utensils, containers, and baking surfaces are free from gluten cross-contamination.

Comparison of Breads for Gluten-Free Diets


Feature	Pepperidge Farm Farmhouse Sourdough	Certified Gluten-Free Sourdough	Standard Wheat Bread
Gluten Content	High (contains multiple gluten grains)	< 20 ppm (FDA standard)	High
Primary Flour	Enriched Wheat Flour	Rice, Sorghum, Buckwheat, etc.	Wheat Flour
Fermentation Process	Commercial, may reduce some gluten but not eliminate it	Fermentation with gluten-free starter	Yeast-leavened, no gluten reduction
Safe for Celiac?	NO	YES, if certified	NO
Ingredient Labeling	Clearly states `CONTAINS: WHEAT`	Must be labeled `Gluten-Free`	No specific gluten warning needed
Risk of Cross-Contamination	High, manufactured in gluten facility	None, manufactured in dedicated GF facility	N/A

Conclusion: Read Labels and Seek Certified Options

The question, "Is Pepperidge Farm Farmhouse sourdough gluten-free?" has a straightforward and definitive answer: no. This product is made with wheat and other gluten-containing ingredients and is not safe for anyone with celiac disease or non-celiac gluten sensitivity. The myth that sourdough fermentation removes gluten to a safe level is unsubstantiated and should not be relied upon for dietary choices. For a truly gluten-free diet, always verify the ingredients, look for a 'Certified Gluten-Free' label, or consider baking your own sourdough using a gluten-free starter and flours. Taking these steps ensures your nutritional choices align with your dietary needs and health goals, allowing you to safely enjoy the rich flavors of sourdough. For more information on gluten-free living, reliable resources like Beyond Celiac are invaluable.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, Pepperidge Farm Farmhouse sourdough bread is not safe for individuals with celiac disease. It is made with wheat flour and other gluten-containing ingredients, which can cause significant intestinal damage in those with the autoimmune disorder.

No. While the fermentation process in sourdough can reduce some gluten content, it does not eliminate it to levels safe for a gluten-free diet. The bread still contains well over the 20 parts per million (ppm) limit set by the FDA for gluten-free products.

The ingredient list for Pepperidge Farm Farmhouse sourdough clearly lists enriched wheat flour, wheat gluten, and malted barley flour, all of which contain gluten and make the product unsafe for a gluten-free diet.

Yes, several brands produce certified gluten-free sourdough bread, including Bread SRSLY, Simple Kneads, New Grains, and Young Kobras. Look for a 'Certified Gluten-Free' label to ensure safety.

Not all Pepperidge Farm products are gluten-free. While they offer some gluten-free items, such as specific cookies, their bread products like the Farmhouse sourdough contain gluten. It is crucial to always check the packaging for a gluten-free certification or allergen warnings.

For those with any degree of gluten sensitivity, it is not recommended to consume Pepperidge Farm Farmhouse sourdough. Even a reduced amount of gluten can trigger digestive discomfort and other symptoms in sensitive individuals.

You can bake your own gluten-free sourdough using a starter made from naturally gluten-free flours like brown rice or sorghum. It is essential to prevent cross-contamination by using dedicated, clean equipment and surfaces.