Is Milk Chocolate Gluten Free? What You Should Look For Before Eating Milk Chocolate?
Milk chocolate in its pure form is gluten free. The pure milk chocolate is unsweetened and bitter in taste. The milk chocolate we see on the shelves of grocery stores is totally different from pure milk chocolate.
Is milk chocolate gluten free? Milk chocolate is primarily made of cocoa, milk and sugar. But the milk chocolate we get from the grocery store also has added flavourings and additives. Although these primary ingredients are gluten free. But milk chocolate may have gluten because of added flavourings and additional ingredients. So, it is crucial to choose gluten free milk chocolate brands only.
Milk chocolate is sweet and melts in the mouth due to its creamy texture. Milk Chocolate is one of the favorite treats for chocolate lovers.
If you’re celiac or gluten intolerant but also want to enjoy milk chocolate? Then don’t worry! There are some brands that offer gluten free milk chocolate.
In this article, you’ll explore milk chocolate ingredients and gluten free brands. So, let’s get started!
What’re the ingredients of Milk Chocolate?
Milk chocolate has following ingredients, which we see in grocery store shelves everyday:
- Cocoa Solids
- Cocoa Butter
- Milk Powder or Condensed Milk
- Sugar
- Emulsifiers (Like soy lecithin or PGPR)
If milk chocolate contains only these ingredients given above then milk chocolate is gluten free and safe for people with celiacs celiacs and gluten sensitivity.
But if milk chocolate contains any of the ingredients given below, then it means that the milk chocolate has gluten content. So, it is not safe for people with celiacs now. These ingredients are:
- Farro
- Matzo
- Malt Syrup
- Barley Malt
- Graham Flour
- Durum
- Malt Extract
- Wheat Flour
- Wheat Flour
- Barley
- Bulgur
- Brewer’s Yeast
- Malt Flavoring
- Rye Flour
- Malt
These ingredients are commonly used in most chocolates. So, make sure to check the ingredients of milk chocolate to assure that it’s gluten free and safe for people with celiacs.
Is Milk Chocolate Gluten Free?
Milk chocolate is made up of milk, cocoa solid and sugar. These ingredients are gluten free. So, pure milk chocolate is gluten free.
But the problem is that the milk chocolate we get from the grocery store doesn’t contain milk, cocoa and sugar only. It also has some additional ingredients which introduce gluten content in the milk chocolate.
These ingredients include fillings, flavours and added textures like cookie crunch and crisped rice.
Is Milk Chocolate Safe for Celiacs?
People with celiacs or gluten intolerance have restrictions in their diet. They can’t enjoy gluten-containing food.
Milk chocolate may be not gluten free because of flavours and other additional ingredients like malt flavourings and fillings. So, milk chocolate is not safe for people with celiacs.
But, if you’re celiac and still want to enjoy chocolate, then you can opt for certified gluten free brands of milk chocolate.
So, focus only on brands, which are dedicated to gluten free food only. Because these brands take some extra measures to ensure that there is no cross contamination in the production of milk chocolate.
What are the Gluten Free Brands of Milk Chocolate?
As consumers become more conscious about their diets, the gluten market is also exploring. Some brands take some extra care while preparing their gluten free milk chocolate. They didn’t compromise on the flour and quality. Here are some gluten free milk chocolate brands:
- Dove
- Enjoy Life Foods
- Ghirardelli
- Enjoy Life
- Alter Eco
- Endangered Species
These brands focused on pure ingredients and contamination free production. So you can choose your free chocolate offer by any of the brands given above.
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Conclusion
Is milk chocolate gluten? Well the answer is yes, if it is pure milk chocolate or doesn’t have any gluten containing ingredients.
So, make sure to choose certified gluten free milk chocolate brands to enjoy sweet treats without being worried.
But if “gluten free labels” are not present, then check the ingredients to ensure that there is not any gluten containing ingredient present in the milk chocolate.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What Is the Process of Making Milk Chocolate?
Ans: The process of chocolate making simply involves roasting and then grinding the cocoa beans. Also add milk, sugar and additional cocoa butter to form a smooth mixture.
Q: How Does Milk Chocolate Affect Overall Health?
Ans: Milk chocolate is a rich source of antioxidants, effective for the heart and can change your mood. But, it is important to intake chocolate in moderation.
Q: Are There Any Dairy-Free Milk Chocolate Alternatives Available?
Ans: Yes, there are also dairy free chocolate alternatives available in the market. They are typically manufactured by using almond and coconut milk.