Nutrition Diet: Are Bob Mills oats gluten-free? The Truth About Bob's Red Mill Oats

October 29, 2025 •

4 min read

While oats are naturally gluten-free, a 2017 study found that many conventionally produced oat products contain significant levels of gluten due to cross-contamination. This is why the question 'Are Bob Mills oats gluten-free?' requires a deeper look into the specific processing methods used by the company, correctly known as Bob's Red Mill.

Quick Summary

Bob's Red Mill offers specific product lines explicitly labeled 'Gluten-Free' that are safe for a gluten-free diet. These are produced in a dedicated facility to prevent cross-contamination and undergo rigorous batch testing to meet safety standards. Their conventional oats, however, are not suitable for those with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity.

Key Points

Bob's Red Mill offers safe gluten-free oats: Only specific products from Bob's Red Mill, clearly labeled with their red 'Gluten Free' logo, are suitable for a gluten-free diet.
Oats can be cross-contaminated: Conventionally processed oats carry a high risk of cross-contamination from gluten-containing grains during farming and processing.
Dedicated facility prevents contamination: Bob's Red Mill processes its gluten-free products in a completely separate facility, eliminating the risk of shared equipment and airborne gluten.
Rigorous testing ensures safety: All gluten-free products are batch-tested using the ELISA test to confirm they are below 20 ppm of gluten, meeting FDA standards.
Some may still react to avenin: A small portion of people with celiac disease may have an immune reaction to avenin, a protein in oats, even if the oats are pure.
Always check the label: Do not assume all Bob's Red Mill oats are gluten-free; always look for the specific 'Gluten Free' logo to ensure the product is safe.

Understanding the Gluten-Free Status of Oats

The fundamental truth for anyone navigating a gluten-free diet is that while oats themselves are naturally gluten-free, their journey from the field to your pantry is what determines their safety. Oats are often grown in rotation with, or near, gluten-containing grains like wheat, barley, and rye. Furthermore, they are frequently processed using the same equipment and facilities as these grains, leading to a high risk of cross-contamination. For individuals with celiac disease or severe gluten sensitivities, this makes standard, conventionally processed oats a serious risk. This is the central reason why a company's processing protocol is more important than the intrinsic properties of the grain itself.

Bob's Red Mill's Strict Gluten-Free Protocol

To address the issue of cross-contamination, Bob's Red Mill has invested significantly in a comprehensive gluten-free program. For products specifically labeled with the red 'Gluten Free' logo or certified by the Gluten-Free Certification Organization (GFCO), the company follows a strict 'Purity Protocol' from sourcing to packaging.

Dedicated, Separate Facility

One of the most critical aspects of Bob's Red Mill's process is the use of a completely separate, dedicated facility for their gluten-free products. This facility is physically separated from any areas where gluten-containing grains are milled, mixed, or packaged. This measure completely eliminates the risk of cross-contamination from shared machinery or airborne particles during production.

Rigorous Testing and Verification

Bob's Red Mill employs a multi-stage testing process to ensure the integrity of its gluten-free products. This includes:

Initial Testing: Every incoming delivery of oats for the gluten-free line is batch-tested upon arrival using the Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) test.
Holding Period: Products are held in storage until test results confirm they are below the 20 parts per million (ppm) gluten threshold established by the FDA.
In-Process and Post-Process Testing: Further testing is conducted during and after processing to confirm the final product remains safely within the gluten-free standard.

Proper Labeling for Safety

Only Bob's Red Mill oat products that meet these rigorous standards are labeled as 'Gluten Free'. Customers are advised to always look for this explicit labeling, as the company also produces conventional oat products that do not follow the same strict protocol and are not tested for gluten.

Potential Reactions and Considerations

While Bob's Red Mill's certified gluten-free oats are safe for the vast majority of individuals with gluten sensitivities, a small percentage of people with celiac disease may experience a reaction even to pure, uncontaminated oats. This is due to a protein in oats called avenin, which has a similar structure to gluten and can trigger an immune response in a sensitive few. It is always recommended for those with celiac disease to consult a healthcare professional before introducing oats into their diet.

Comparison: Conventional vs. Bob's Red Mill Gluten-Free Oats


Feature	Conventional Oats (including Bob's Red Mill non-GF)	Bob's Red Mill Gluten-Free Oats
Sourcing	May be grown in fields near wheat, barley, or rye; no specialized protocol.	Sourced from suppliers with gluten-free crop rotation plans.
Processing Facility	Milled and packaged on equipment that also handles gluten grains.	Processed in a dedicated, separate gluten-free facility.
Cross-Contamination	High risk due to shared equipment and fields.	Cross-contamination risk is virtually eliminated.
Testing	Not tested for gluten content.	Batch-tested using ELISA test to confirm gluten is below 20 ppm.
Labeling	Not labeled 'gluten free'.	Explicitly labeled 'Gluten Free' with a dedicated logo.
Certification	No GFCO certification.	Some products may carry GFCO certification.

Conclusion: Navigating the Gluten-Free Oat Aisle

To definitively answer the question 'Are Bob Mills oats gluten-free?,' it is crucial to recognize the brand as Bob's Red Mill and understand their specific labeling. Yes, Bob's Red Mill offers a variety of oats that are verifiably gluten-free, but only those explicitly labeled as such. These products are processed and tested with the utmost care in a dedicated facility to ensure safety for individuals with celiac disease and gluten sensitivities. Always check the packaging for the red 'Gluten Free' logo or GFCO certification to make an informed choice for your nutritional diet.

Bob's Red Mill Gluten-Free Sourcing and Production

Bob's Red Mill's commitment to gluten-free integrity starts at the sourcing stage. They work with a network of dedicated farmers who understand the importance of avoiding cross-contamination from the very beginning. This includes practices like specified crop rotation to ensure fields have not grown gluten-containing crops in prior seasons. The harvested oats are transported in dedicated, clean equipment to the separate gluten-free facility. Here, the multi-stage testing process and careful handling of the product ensure its purity, distinguishing their gluten-free line from conventional oats that lack these safeguards. This rigorous approach is why the company's gluten-free labeled products are a trusted choice for many on a restricted diet.

Bob's Red Mill Official Gluten-Free Page

Frequently Asked Questions

The main difference lies in the processing. Bob's Red Mill's gluten-free oats are sourced, processed, and packaged in a dedicated gluten-free facility, with multiple tests for gluten. Their regular oats, like conventional brands, are at high risk for cross-contamination with gluten-containing grains from shared equipment.

No, the correct company name is Bob's Red Mill. It is important to know the right name to find the correct products and information.

Bob's Red Mill's gluten-free products are not only tested in their quality control laboratory using an ELISA test but some are also certified by the Gluten-Free Certification Organization (GFCO). This provides independent verification that the products meet strict gluten-free standards.

Most people with celiac disease can safely consume certified gluten-free oats, but it is important to first consult with your healthcare provider. A small subset of individuals may still react to the avenin protein in oats.

Bob's Red Mill sources its gluten-free oats from dedicated suppliers who follow strict purity protocols, which can include specific crop rotation management to prevent cross-contamination in the fields.

Yes, Bob's Red Mill offers a wide array of other gluten-free products, including various flours, baking mixes, and cereals, all produced in their dedicated gluten-free facility.

Gluten-free oats are more expensive due to the higher costs associated with maintaining a segregated supply chain, from sourcing from dedicated fields to processing in a separate facility and performing rigorous testing.