Is Tillamook Triple Cheddar Blend Gluten-Free? What Celiacs Need to Know

October 31, 2025 •

4 min read

While Tillamook's Triple Cheddar Blend contains naturally gluten-free base ingredients, the addition of potato starch as an anti-caking agent and the potential for cross-contamination means it is not a safe choice for those with celiac disease. Understanding the details is crucial for making a safe purchasing decision.

Quick Summary

Tillamook's Triple Cheddar Blend is not considered safe for a strict gluten-free diet due to additives and risks of cross-contact, requiring careful label-reading for sensitive consumers.

Key Points

Not Considered Celiac-Safe: Due to the inclusion of an anti-caking agent and the risk of cross-contact in a shared facility, the Tillamook Triple Cheddar Blend is not recommended for those with celiac disease.
Contains Potato Starch: The shredded cheese blend includes potato starch to prevent clumping, which is a processed ingredient, unlike pure block cheese.
Cross-Contamination Risk: Tillamook's facilities also process items with major allergens like wheat, posing a risk to highly sensitive individuals, as noted in their allergen FAQ.
Block Cheese is Safer: Tillamook's block cheeses typically have a simpler, naturally gluten-free ingredients list and are the recommended alternative.
Grate at Home for Certainty: For a truly safe shredded cheese, purchase a Tillamook block and shred it yourself at home to avoid additives and processing risks.
Labels are Crucial: Always read ingredient labels, as assumptions about naturally gluten-free products like cheese can be incorrect once they are processed.

Understanding the Ingredients in Tillamook Triple Cheddar

Tillamook's reputation for high-quality dairy is well-earned, but when it comes to shredded cheese, the production process introduces factors that make it a concern for the gluten-free community. Pure, natural cheese is inherently gluten-free. However, the shredded form requires additional ingredients to maintain its texture and shelf-life.

According to the ingredients list for the Tillamook Farmstyle Triple Cheddar Blend, the components include sharp cheddar, medium white cheddar, and medium cheddar cheese. But critically, it also lists potato starch (added to prevent caking) and natamycin (natural mold inhibitor). While potato starch is naturally gluten-free, its presence is a key differentiator from the block cheese and part of the reason for increased caution among celiac individuals.

The Problem with Additives and Shared Facilities

For individuals with celiac disease or a high sensitivity to gluten, any processing step that introduces risk is a red flag. The issue with many shredded cheeses, not just Tillamook's, comes from two main points:

Additives: While the potato starch itself is gluten-free, it is an additional, non-cheese ingredient. The presence of such additives means the product is processed beyond its natural state. Some companies may use starches derived from wheat, though Tillamook uses potato starch. The mere use of anti-caking agents requires extra vigilance.
Cross-Contamination: Tillamook addresses the topic of allergens on its website, noting that while cheesemaking equipment never processes major allergens other than milk, other allergens like wheat are present at the facility level due to other production lines, such as ice cream. Some ice cream flavors explicitly contain gluten. This shared facility presents a risk of airborne or equipment-based cross-contact that is unacceptable for those with severe sensitivities.

Tillamook Block vs. Tillamook Shredded: A Comparison

To highlight the difference, consider the safety profiles of Tillamook's different cheese formats. The chart below compares Tillamook's standard block cheddar cheese with the Triple Cheddar Blend Shredded Cheese.


Feature	Tillamook Block Cheese	Tillamook Triple Cheddar Shredded
Core Ingredients	Cultured Milk, Salt, Enzymes (Annatto for color)	Cultured Milk, Salt, Enzymes, Annatto, Potato Starch, Natamycin
Naturally Gluten-Free	Yes, the base ingredients are all naturally gluten-free.	The base cheese is, but additives change this status for sensitive individuals.
Additives	None	Contains potato starch and natamycin.
Cross-Contamination Risk	Very low for the block itself, with minimal processing after forming.	High risk from shared facility processing lines for additives.
Celiac Safety	Generally considered safe for celiacs.	Not considered celiac-safe by many experts and community members.

Safer Gluten-Free Tillamook Alternatives

For those who need a truly gluten-free cheese option from Tillamook, the block cheeses are the way to go. These products have a simpler ingredient list and have not been exposed to the processing needed to shred and preserve the cheese. When consuming a block cheese:

Choose a solid block: Look for Tillamook's block cheddars, which have a very straightforward, gluten-free ingredients list.
Grate at home: To get shredded cheese, simply use a grater at home. This eliminates any risk of a starch-based anti-caking agent or processing contamination.

The Importance of Reading Every Label

The Tillamook case is a perfect example of why the gluten-free community must be diligent in reading labels, even for products that seem safe at a glance. It's easy to assume all cheese is gluten-free, but processing changes everything. Always check the ingredients list for added starches or other questionable components. For items made in shared facilities, consider the potential for cross-contamination, especially if you are highly sensitive.

The Verdict: Tillamook Triple Cheddar and Gluten

Based on a careful review of ingredients and potential cross-contamination issues, Tillamook Triple Cheddar Blend should not be considered gluten-free for individuals with celiac disease. The added potato starch for caking prevention and the presence of gluten-containing products in the same facility introduce too much risk. The far safer alternative is to purchase a block of Tillamook cheese and shred it yourself at home, ensuring no risky additives or cross-contact.

For Tillamook's official statement on allergens, visit their FAQ page: https://www.tillamook.com/faq/allergens/cheese-allergens.

Conclusion: Shredded Cheese Requires Scrutiny

The bottom line is that the presence of additives and the risk of cross-contamination in shared facilities render Tillamook Triple Cheddar Blend unsafe for those with strict gluten-free requirements. The safest path is to opt for Tillamook's block cheeses, which maintain a naturally gluten-free status, and to always check ingredient labels on any processed dairy products. A little extra effort in the kitchen can ensure a much safer meal for anyone managing a gluten sensitivity or celiac disease.

Frequently Asked Questions

While the cheese itself is naturally gluten-free, the shredded blend contains added potato starch to prevent caking and is processed in a facility that handles wheat-containing products. This introduces a risk of cross-contact that makes it unsafe for individuals with celiac disease.

Yes, Tillamook block cheese is generally considered gluten-free. It contains only cultured milk, salt, enzymes, and sometimes annatto for color, with no anti-caking agents or other additives that present a gluten risk.

It depends on your level of sensitivity. For those with a mild intolerance, the potato starch and low risk of cross-contact might not be an issue. However, for severe sensitivities or celiac disease, this product is not recommended.

Potato starch is used as an anti-caking agent. It coats the shredded cheese pieces to prevent them from sticking together and clumping in the package.

No, not all shredded cheeses are unsafe. However, you must carefully read the label to check for anti-caking agents or stabilizers and be aware of any cross-contamination warnings. The safest method is often to shred your own cheese from a solid block.

The safest method is to purchase a block of Tillamook cheese, such as their Medium or Sharp Cheddar, and shred it yourself at home. This ensures you control all ingredients and avoid any potential cross-contamination from a shared facility.

Tillamook clearly states which products contain gluten on their labels. Their ice cream, for instance, has specific flavors with gluten. However, many of their products, especially their plain block cheeses, are naturally gluten-free, but they do not guarantee a certified gluten-free status on all products due to shared facility risks.