Wheat is one of the most common food allergies in the United States, and is therefore covered under the food allergen labeling law (FALCPA). Food manufacturers must place an allergy warning about wheat on ingredient labels in plain English.
You should still learn the names of wheat ingredients and know which foods commonly contain wheat. Foods from bakeries or restaurants will not carry ingredient labels, and you should not eat them unless you can be assured that they are wheat-free.
Other names for wheat
- Bulgur (bulghar)
- Durum, durum flour, durum wheat
- Einkorn
- Emmer
- Enriched, white and whole-wheat flour
- Farina
- Flour (all-purpose, cake, enriched, graham, high protein or high gluten, pastry)
- Farro
- Fu
- Graham flour
- Kamut
- Seitan
- Semolina
- Spelt
- Sprouted wheat
- Triticale (a cross between wheat and rye)
- Triticum aestivum
- Wheat (bran, germ, gluten, grass, malt, starch)
- Wheat berries
- Wheatgrass
Ingredients that may be derived from wheat
Avoid foods containing these ingredients unless the label states they are not made from wheat.
- Hydrolyzed vegetable protein
- Modified food starch
- Vegetable starch or vegetable protein
- Gelatinized starch
- Natural flavoring
Foods that often contain wheat
- Baked goods such as pastries, doughnuts, pies, pretzels
- Baking mixes, powder and flour
- Beer
- Bread or bread crumbs
- Cereal
- Chicken and beef broth (cans and bouillon cubes)
- Condiments, salad dressings, and sauces
- Crackers
- Deli meats
- Falafel
- Fried, breaded chicken, fish, or other deep-fried foods
- Gravies
- Host (communion, altar bread and wafers)
- Hot dogs
- Ice cream
- Imitation bacon
- Meatballs or meat loaf
- Panko (Japanese breadcrumbs)
- Pasta, including couscous, gnocchi, spaetzle, chow mein, lo mein, and filled pastas
- Pie fillings and puddings
- Sausages
- Soups
- Soy sauce or tamari (unless gluten-free)
- Tabbouleh
- Tempura
Non-food sources of wheat
- Cosmetics and hair-care products
- Medications and vitamins
- Children’s play dough
- Pet food
- Wallpaper paste or glue
Foods That Are (Surprisingly) Wheat-Free
- Buckwheat
- Kasha
Sources:
Canadian Food Inspection Agency. Wheat Allergy. Accessed 7/9/2011. http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/fssa/labeti/allerg/wheblee.shtml
Food Allergy Initiative. How to Avoid Wheat. Accessed 7/9/2001. http://www.faiusa.org/page.aspx?pid=383
