Navigating a Gluten-Free Diet: Are Trader Joe's Soups Gluten Free?

October 29, 2025 •

4 min read

According to the Celiac Disease Foundation, a lifelong and strict gluten-free diet is the only treatment for celiac disease. When grocery shopping, especially for convenient options, many people wonder, "Are Trader Joe's soups gluten free?" The answer is that while many options are, consumers must be vigilant about reading product labels to ensure a soup is safe.

Quick Summary

Several Trader Joe's soups are explicitly labeled gluten-free, indicating they contain less than 20 parts per million of gluten, per FDA guidelines. However, not all soups are suitable, and individuals with celiac disease must be careful about cross-contamination by always verifying product ingredients and labels.

Key Points

Check for Explicit Labeling: Only trust soups at Trader Joe's with the "gluten-free" label, which signifies they meet the less than 20 ppm standard.
Understand Cross-Contamination Risk: Soups without a specific gluten-free claim carry a high risk of cross-contamination, which can be dangerous for those with celiac disease.
Become a Savvy Label Reader: Look for all gluten-containing ingredients, including less obvious ones like malt and specific starches.
Know Your Safe Options: Confirmed gluten-free soups include the Organic Lentil Vegetable Soup and Organic Hearty Minestrone Soup.
Utilize Online Resources: Use the search function on the Trader Joe's website to find the most current list of officially labeled gluten-free products.

Understanding Trader Joe's 'Gluten Free' Label

For individuals with celiac disease or severe gluten sensitivities, relying on product labeling is critical. Trader Joe's provides a specific definition for its products marked with a 'Gluten Free' label. According to their stated policy, if a product features this label, it has been validated to contain less than 20 parts per million (ppm) of gluten. This standard is consistent with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) regulations for gluten-free labeling. This means that for sensitive individuals, soups with this explicit claim are considered the safest bet. Conversely, a soup that does not have this label, even if its ingredients appear naturally gluten-free, may not have been tested to the same standard and could carry a risk of cross-contamination.

The Crucial Role of Label Reading

Navigating the soup aisle requires more than just spotting a label. Many packaged foods contain hidden sources of gluten used as thickeners, flavorings, or preservatives. Gluten-containing ingredients can appear under various names, so a meticulous reading of the ingredient list is essential. Consumers should scan for obvious culprits like wheat, rye, barley, and malt, but also for derivatives or less-common terms. For example, some 'natural flavors' or starches could be derived from gluten-containing grains.

Ingredients to Watch For

Wheat: This includes all forms, such as wheat flour, wheat starch, semolina, and durum.
Barley: Look for barley flakes, barley malt, and malt vinegar.
Rye: This is a key gluten-containing grain that must be avoided.
Oats: Unless explicitly labeled "gluten free," oats carry a significant risk of cross-contamination from field to factory.
Hidden Sources: Less obvious ingredients like maltodextrin, brewer's yeast, or certain flavorings can also harbor gluten.

The Challenge of Cross-Contamination

For those with celiac disease, gluten cross-contamination is a serious and medically significant concern. This occurs when a gluten-free food comes into contact with gluten-containing foods, utensils, or surfaces during processing, packaging, or even in a home kitchen. While Trader Joe's validates its explicitly labeled gluten-free items, other products may be manufactured in shared facilities. The company has acknowledged that some products not explicitly labeled gluten-free may be made in facilities that do not process gluten, but the supplier may not pay for official certification. This is where the risk lies for individuals who cannot tolerate any trace amounts of gluten. To minimize this risk, always opt for the products that carry the explicit 'Gluten Free' claim.

Comparison of Trader Joe's Soup Options for a Gluten-Free Diet


Feature	Explicitly Labeled "Gluten Free" Soup	Unlabeled Soup (No Obvious Gluten Ingredients)
Gluten Content	Verified to contain less than 20 ppm of gluten.	Gluten content is not officially validated.
Cross-Contamination Risk	Low risk due to specific testing and manufacturing protocols.	High risk due to potential shared equipment or facilities.
Examples	Organic Lentil Vegetable Soup, Organic Hearty Minestrone Soup.	Various soups that lack the official labeling.
Safety for Celiacs	Safe for consumption	Not recommended for those with celiac disease.
Safety for Mild Sensitivity	Safe.	May be suitable for those with mild sensitivities who can tolerate trace amounts.

What to Look for at Trader Joe's

Trader Joe's carries a number of soups that have received the official gluten-free labeling. It is important to know which these are so you can shop with confidence.

Organic Lentil Vegetable Soup: Trader Joe's officially advertises this soup as vegan, organic, and gluten-free on its website.
Organic Hearty Minestrone Soup: Based on ingredient analysis, this soup is also considered gluten-free.
Garden Vegetable Soup (25 oz): An online product description lists this soup as not containing common allergens, including gluten.

While this list may expand or change over time, it provides a starting point. A helpful approach is to use the search function on the Trader Joe's website for 'gluten-free' to pull up a current list of all products with that designation, including soups.

Conclusion: Always Verify for Your Safety

The answer to "Are Trader Joe's soups gluten free?" is a qualified yes, but with a critical caveat. Many soups are safe and explicitly labeled as gluten-free, adhering to the FDA's strict standards. However, the onus is on the consumer to always check the product packaging for this crucial designation. For individuals with celiac disease or high sensitivity, relying solely on an ingredient list without the official 'Gluten Free' label is not recommended due to the risks of cross-contamination in manufacturing. By becoming a savvy label reader and prioritizing explicitly labeled products, you can confidently find delicious and safe soup options at Trader Joe's.

For more information on managing a gluten-free diet and cross-contamination risks, consult reputable resources like the Celiac Disease Foundation.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, you must check each product individually. Many soups are safe, but only those with the explicit "gluten-free" label on the package are verified to contain less than 20 ppm of gluten.

The label signifies that the product has been validated to contain less than 20 parts per million of gluten, which meets the standard set by the FDA.

For individuals with celiac disease or high sensitivity, this is not recommended. The product may be subject to cross-contamination in a shared manufacturing facility, and the gluten content is not officially validated.

Some soups with an official gluten-free label include the Organic Lentil Vegetable Soup and Organic Hearty Minestrone Soup.

You can use the search function on their website for "gluten-free" to see a current list of all products with that designation, including soups.

The safest method is to stick exclusively to products with the official 'Gluten Free' label. These items are produced under controlled conditions to minimize contamination.

Yes, Trader Joe's validates products labeled "Gluten Free" to ensure they meet the standard of less than 20 ppm. However, they are not required to test every single product, so only rely on the explicit labeling.