What ingredients in cheese contain gluten?

January 13, 2026 •

3 min read

Over 10% of UK consumers are following a gluten-free diet, but many are surprised to learn that while most natural cheese is gluten-free, several ingredients in processed or specialty varieties can contain gluten. This guide explains what ingredients in cheese contain gluten and helps you identify potential risks.

Quick Summary

Natural cheeses are typically gluten-free, but processed and specialty cheeses often contain gluten-based additives. Key ingredients to watch for include wheat starch, modified food starch, and malt, used for texture or flavor. Cross-contamination during manufacturing can also introduce gluten, making label reading and certification crucial.

Key Points

Natural Cheese Is Gluten-Free: Most unflavored, natural hard cheeses like cheddar and swiss are made from simple, gluten-free ingredients like milk and salt.
Processed Cheeses Pose a Risk: American cheese slices, cheese spreads, and cheese dips often contain gluten-based thickeners, stabilizers, or flavorings.
Watch for Anti-Caking Agents: Packaged shredded cheeses may use wheat starch or other starches containing gluten to prevent clumping.
Blue Cheese Can Be a Grey Area: While most commercial blue cheeses use gluten-free mold cultures, some artisan types might still use cultures grown on bread.
Cross-Contamination is a Threat: Gluten can be introduced to cheese during manufacturing, at deli counters, or through shared utensils.
Check for 'Gluten-Free' Certification: The most reliable way to ensure a product is safe is to look for a certified gluten-free label on the packaging.
Read All Ingredients Carefully: Scrutinize the ingredient list for hidden gluten sources, including modified food starch, malt, and certain flavorings.

Is Natural Cheese Truly Gluten-Free?

Natural, minimally processed cheeses are inherently gluten-free. The basic ingredients for most cheeses—milk, rennet, starter culture, and salt—do not contain gluten. This is great news for those with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity who can confidently enjoy hard, natural cheeses like cheddar, parmesan, and swiss. However, the dairy landscape is filled with processed products that extend far beyond these simple ingredients, and this is where the risk of hidden gluten lies. Consumers need to be vigilant and scrutinize product labels, especially for flavored, shredded, or spreadable cheese products.

Hidden Gluten in Processed and Shredded Cheese

Many common cheese products undergo significant processing that introduces gluten-containing ingredients. The convenience of pre-shredded cheese, for instance, often comes at a cost for those avoiding gluten. Manufacturers frequently add starches to prevent the shreds from clumping together.

Wheat Starch: This is a common anti-caking agent, and unless specified as 'gluten-free wheat starch', it contains gluten.
Modified Food Starch: This can be derived from wheat, so it should be avoided unless the label confirms a gluten-free source, such as corn or potato.
Powdered Cellulose: While often gluten-free (derived from wood pulp), it can sometimes be made with wheat. It's best to check if the product is certified gluten-free.

Special Case Cheeses: Blue Cheese and Beer Cheese

Some cheeses have a higher risk of containing gluten due to unique production methods or flavorings.

Blue Cheese: Historically, the mold cultures ($Penicillium$) for some blue cheeses were grown on bread or rye. While most modern, commercially-produced blue cheeses use lab-grown, gluten-free cultures, artisan or small-batch varieties may still pose a risk. When in doubt, look for a 'gluten-free' certification.
Beer Cheese: As the name suggests, this cheese is made with beer. Since most beers are made with gluten-containing grains like barley, beer cheese is not safe for a gluten-free diet unless specifically made with gluten-free beer and certified.

Flavorings and Additives That May Contain Gluten

Beyond starches, numerous other additives can introduce gluten into cheese products. Reading the ingredients list thoroughly is paramount.

Malt: This ingredient is typically derived from barley and is a source of gluten. It may be used as a flavoring agent in some cheeses or spreads.
Brewer's Yeast: Found in some flavored cheddars, this is another barley-derived ingredient that contains gluten.
Wheat Protein: Added to some processed cheese products for texture or protein content.
Artificial and Natural Flavors: In some cases, these broad terms can hide gluten-based ingredients, making a 'gluten-free' label essential for certainty.

Understanding Cross-Contamination Risks

Even if a cheese's ingredients are naturally gluten-free, cross-contamination is a significant concern for those with celiac disease. This can occur at various stages of production and retail.

Manufacturing Facility: If a processed cheese is made on the same equipment as gluten-containing products, even after cleaning, trace amounts can remain. A 'contains wheat' or 'may contain gluten' warning often signals this risk.
Deli Counters: Slicing cheese with the same slicer used for gluten-containing meats or breads can transfer particles and cause contamination.

Comparison of Gluten Content in Different Cheese Types


Feature	Natural Hard Cheese (e.g., Cheddar)	Processed Cheese (e.g., American Slices)	Shredded Cheese (Packaged)	Blue Cheese (Artisan)
Typical Gluten Risk	Very Low	High	Medium to High	Varies (Potentially High)
Common Ingredients	Milk, cultures, rennet, salt	Cheese, emulsifiers, starches, flavors	Cheese, anti-caking agents	Milk, cultures (can be bread-based), rennet, salt
Key Ingredients to Watch	N/A	Modified food starch, malt	Wheat starch, cellulose (potentially)	Bread-based mold culture
Label Reading	Check for additives or flavorings	Must check for 'gluten-free' label	Crucial to check anti-caking agent	Best to confirm with manufacturer or buy certified

Conclusion: Navigating Cheese for a Gluten-Free Diet

For individuals on a gluten-free diet, the distinction between natural cheese and processed cheese products is critical. Natural, unflavored cheese is generally safe, while products like shredded cheese, cheese spreads, and specialty varieties carry a higher risk of containing gluten-based ingredients or being subject to cross-contamination. Always prioritize reading ingredient lists and seeking products with a 'certified gluten-free' label for complete confidence. If purchasing from a deli, ask for a clean slicer and fresh gloves to prevent cross-contact. Being an informed and cautious consumer allows you to enjoy cheese safely on a gluten-free regimen. For more detailed information on living with celiac disease, consult the resources at Beyond Celiac.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, most natural, unprocessed cheese is naturally gluten-free. Gluten is only an issue when added as an ingredient or through cross-contamination during processing.

Modified food starch is an additive used for texture and thickening. In cheese, it can be a hidden source of gluten if derived from wheat. If the label does not specify the starch source, it's best to assume it contains gluten.

Packaged shredded cheese can contain gluten because manufacturers often add anti-caking agents, like wheat starch, to prevent clumping. You must check the ingredient list for a 'gluten-free' label.

Most mass-produced blue cheeses are safe, as the mold cultures are now typically lab-grown without gluten. However, some artisan producers might still use bread during the process, so it's best to check the label or choose a certified gluten-free brand.

Cross-contamination can happen in several ways, including processing cheese on shared equipment with gluten-containing foods, or at deli counters where the same slicer is used for both gluten-free and non-gluten-free products.

Plain, natural cheeses such as cheddar, mozzarella, swiss, feta, and parmesan are typically safe, provided they are unflavored and not cross-contaminated during handling.

No, some dairy-free cheese alternatives can contain gluten-based ingredients, such as flour, for texture. Always read the label carefully on these products.