What Soft Drinks Can Celiacs Drink?

October 16, 2025 •

4 min read

According to manufacturers and celiac organizations, most major soft drink brands in North America are considered gluten-free. The question of what soft drinks can celiacs drink is a common one, and while the majority are safe, being aware of potential risks in specific ingredients and cross-contamination is crucial.

Quick Summary

This guide provides a detailed breakdown of which commercially available sodas are considered safe for individuals with celiac disease, what ingredients to scrutinize, and how to verify gluten-free status. It also explores potential risks and highlights healthier, naturally gluten-free beverage options.

Key Points

Major Brands are Mostly Safe: Most large-scale soft drink manufacturers, including Coke, Pepsi, and Dr. Pepper, produce sodas that are considered gluten-free.
Check for Hidden Ingredients: Pay close attention to craft sodas, unusual flavors, or store brands that might contain malt flavoring or other gluten derivatives.
Scrutinize Caramel Coloring: In the U.S., most caramel coloring is safe for celiacs, but its sourcing can vary globally or in smaller brands, making verification important.
Be Wary of Cross-Contamination: Though less common with mainstream sodas, always be mindful of potential cross-contamination, especially with generic or international products.
Explore Healthier Alternatives: For a lower-sugar, naturally gluten-free option, consider flavored sparkling water, certified kombucha, or hard ciders.
When in Doubt, Verify: If you are unsure about a product's gluten-free status, contact the manufacturer or stick to certified gluten-free items for peace of mind.
Different Standards Apply: Remember that 'gluten-free' standards (e.g., FDA vs. Codex Alimentarius) may differ, impacting the safety of products depending on your location.

Navigating Soft Drinks with Celiac Disease

For those with celiac disease, maintaining a strictly gluten-free diet is essential for health. While the focus is often on food, it is equally important to scrutinize beverages for hidden gluten sources. The good news is that most mainstream sodas are made without gluten-containing ingredients, but a closer look at potential risks and alternatives is always a wise approach.

Popular Brands That Are Generally Considered Gluten-Free

The vast majority of popular carbonated soft drinks on the market are considered safe for celiacs. Their core ingredients typically include carbonated water, high-fructose corn syrup or other sweeteners, flavorings, and colorings, none of which inherently contain gluten. It is important to note that manufacturers can change ingredients, and regional formulations may differ, so checking labels remains the golden rule.

Coca-Cola Products: This lineup is widely regarded as gluten-free in the U.S. and Canada, including Coca-Cola Classic, Diet Coke, Sprite, Fresca, and most varieties of Barq's and Fanta.
PepsiCo Products: Similarly, most carbonated beverages from PepsiCo, such as Pepsi, Diet Pepsi, Mountain Dew, and Mug Root Beer, are considered gluten-free. The company has confirmed this status, though specific ingredients should still be monitored.
Dr. Pepper Snapple Group: The company's Dr. Pepper products, including its diet and flavored versions, are classified as gluten-free. This also includes flavors under the 7UP and Sunkist brands.

Potential Risks and Ingredients to Scrutinize

While most sodas are safe, certain factors warrant caution, especially for those with high sensitivity. The phrase “considered gluten-free” often refers to meeting the FDA's threshold of less than 20 parts per million (ppm) of gluten. Some highly sensitive individuals may still react to these trace amounts. Additionally, certain ingredients and cross-contamination are potential hazards.

Uncommon Additives

While rare, certain ingredients should be watched for, especially in craft or specialty sodas. Malt flavoring, which is derived from barley, is a primary concern. Always double-check the ingredient list for any mention of malt or barley-derived components.

Caramel Coloring

Caramel coloring is a common ingredient in many dark soft drinks. In most major brands in the U.S., the caramel coloring is derived from corn syrup and is gluten-free. However, in other regions or smaller brands, it could potentially be derived from gluten-containing sources. If in doubt, contacting the manufacturer is the safest course of action.

Cross-Contamination

While the production of soft drinks is generally low-risk for gluten cross-contamination, store-brand or generic sodas might be manufactured in facilities that also handle gluten-containing products. For brand-name sodas, the large-scale, automated production processes tend to minimize this risk.

Healthier and Naturally Gluten-Free Alternatives

For those looking to reduce sugar intake or find less-processed options, there are many excellent alternatives to traditional soft drinks that are naturally gluten-free.

Flavored Sparkling Water: Brands like LaCroix or Spindrift offer a variety of naturally flavored, fizzy drinks without added sugar or artificial sweeteners.
Kombucha: This fermented tea can be a safe alternative, but it is vital to verify the gluten-free status of the specific brand. Some brands may use a yeast culture that includes gluten sources or add flavors after fermentation.
Coconut Water: A hydrating and naturally sweet option, coconut water is inherently gluten-free and full of electrolytes.
Hard Ciders: Unlike beer, most hard ciders are made from fermented fruit, not grains. Ensure the brand is explicitly gluten-free, as some may use additives or ferment with gluten-containing yeast.

Comparison of Soft Drink and Alternative Options


Feature	Major Name-Brand Sodas	Flavored Sparkling Water	Hard Cider (Gluten-Free)
Gluten-Free Status	Generally safe (under 20 ppm)	Naturally Gluten-Free	Naturally Gluten-Free, confirm brand
Sweeteners	High-fructose corn syrup, artificial sweeteners	Natural fruit essence, no added sugar	Sugar, fruit juice
Health Considerations	High sugar and calorie content; artificial ingredients	Healthier, zero-calorie option with no sugar	Contains alcohol, sugar, and calories
Flavor Variety	Extensive range of classic and special flavors	Many different fruit and botanical infusions	Range from dry to sweet, apple and other fruits
Potential Risks	Possible trace gluten in rare cases; artificial additives	Very low risk; check for added ingredients	Cross-contamination risk if not certified

The Final Word: How to Be Sure

While the landscape of gluten-free soft drinks is largely safe, due diligence is always the best policy. Always check the ingredients list, especially for store brands, craft sodas, or beverages manufactured outside North America. For those with a severe gluten sensitivity, opting for certified gluten-free alternatives is the most cautious route.

The majority of mainstream soft drinks offer a worry-free experience for most individuals on a gluten-free diet. However, for complete peace of mind, especially with newer or less familiar products, the best practice is to confirm with the manufacturer or choose a certified gluten-free option. For more detailed information on celiac disease management and food safety, consulting resources like Celiac.org is highly recommended. Ultimately, living with celiac disease doesn't mean giving up on fizzy drinks entirely, just being a smarter consumer.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, according to the Coca-Cola Company, its products including classic Coca-Cola, Diet Coke, and Sprite are considered gluten-free in the U.S. and Canada.

Yes, most carbonated sodas produced by PepsiCo, such as Pepsi, Diet Pepsi, and Mountain Dew, are generally considered gluten-free and safe for individuals with celiac disease.

While many brands like A&W and Barq's are gluten-free, it is important to check the label for root beers, particularly craft or specialty varieties, as they can sometimes contain additives derived from grains.

In major soft drink brands, caramel coloring is typically derived from corn and is safe for celiacs. However, sources can vary, so checking with the manufacturer is recommended if you are very sensitive.

Healthier, gluten-free alternatives include naturally flavored sparkling water, certified gluten-free kombucha, and coconut water. These options are typically lower in sugar and artificial ingredients.

No, most flavored sparkling waters like LaCroix or Spindrift are naturally gluten-free, using only carbonated water and natural fruit essences for flavoring.

Generally, yes. Hard ciders are made from fermented fruit juice, but always verify the brand to ensure it is explicitly gluten-free, as some may use gluten-containing yeast or additives.