My husband and I attended the Natural Products Expo West trade show again this year and were struck by the sheer number of new gluten-free products. We couldn’t visit every booth that carried gluten-free items—last year we managed to cover them all—but the expansion in product lines was remarkable. In 2011 many manufacturers were asking how to get products certified gluten-free; by 2012 the conversations were very different. Most booths I visited were knowledgeable about gluten-free practices, which was refreshing. A few companies still labeled products as gluten-free without testing or certification, often saying, “There are no laws governing gluten-free labeling.” That highlights how overdue it is for the FDA to finalize clear gluten-free labeling standards.
New Gluten-Free Products
Some well-known gluten-free brands didn’t introduce major new lines this year, but several launched noteworthy products that stood out on the show floor. Below are highlights from the vendors we sampled.
Udi’s Gluten Free Foods – Udi’s will soon release Plain Vanilla Cupcakes and two varieties of dinner rolls (green seeded and classic). Other new items include frozen pizzas—margherita, pepperoni and three-cheese—available at many Whole Foods stores, brownie bites, and very light cupcake-shaped dinner rolls. Recently released items also include Blueberry Oat Muffin Tops, Chocolate Chia Muffin Tops, and Omega Flax and Fiber Bread.
Enjoy Life Foods – Plentils – These lentil chips come in four flavors: Garlic & Parmesan, Light Sea Salt, Margherita Pizza, and Dill & Sour Cream. Made primarily from lentil powder and potato starch, they have a surprisingly light, airy texture and do not taste like typical bean chips. I sampled the Margherita Pizza flavor and found it excellent. Plentils are gluten-free, dairy-free, and free from common allergens, consistent with Enjoy Life’s allergy-friendly focus.
Go Raw – Known for raw chocolate truffles, Go Raw has updated packaging and showcased several upcoming products: Apple & Cinnamon Granola Bar, Chocolate Granola Bar, and matching granolas. The bars are sweetened with dates (no agave), offering a natural, minimally processed option.
Purely Elizabeth Gluten-Free Granola – My husband fell in love with this granola. It is certified gluten-free at under 10 ppm and emphasizes nutrient-rich alternative grains and superfood seeds. Their products are free of refined sugar, dairy, gluten and soy; certified vegan; free from artificial flavors, colors, sweeteners, preservatives and GMOs; and low on the glycemic index. The taste is excellent and the ingredient quality is evident.
YC Chocolate Stevia Bars – The Cadenza line uses high-quality 70% dark chocolate sweetened with stevia and comes in flavors like Pure Dark Chocolate, Dark Chocolate with Whole Roasted Almonds, Dark Chocolate with Cocoa Nibs, Dark Chocolate with Tart Montmorency Cherries, and Dark Chocolate with Ginger. Reviews say these are among the best sugar-free chocolates, with stevia’s bitterness well managed so many people wouldn’t identify it by taste alone.
Dagoba Organic Chocolate – A high-quality chocolate brand (a subsidiary of The Hershey Company) offering bars, baking chocolate, drinks, tasting squares and professional products. Dagoba tests at 0 ppm for gluten cross-contamination; Hershey reportedly will only label a product gluten-free when testing shows zero gluten.
King Arthur’s Gluten-Free Line – King Arthur’s gluten-free products usually test well for cross-contamination; the company reported testing results typically around 3 ppm. Their gluten-free items are certified under 10 ppm and are made in a dedicated gluten-free facility free from many top allergens. Many of their mixes and flours are excellent for home baking; I appreciated a box of whole flax seed—great for grinding fresh for maximum nutrition.
Kinnikinnick – New items coming soon include Soft Gluten-Free White Bread, Soft Gluten-Free Multi-Grain Bread, Gluten-Free Thin Pizza Crust, and Gluten-Free Pie Crust.
Glutino – Glutino introduced a new Bagel Chips flavor: Cinnamon, which tastes reminiscent of French toast. Their new lightweight, full-size gluten-free breads and other classics are worth trying.
NuGo Slim – NuGo’s Slim bars are nearly sugar-free, high in fiber and protein, and certified gluten-free. Flavors include Brownie Crunch, Roasted Peanut, and Raspberry Truffle. The Brownie Crunch was a favorite on the show.
Think Thin – The brand’s new Brownie Crunch Protein Bar adds a pleasant crunchy texture to their traditionally creamy and chewy lineup.
Pamela’s Products – Upcoming releases include a gluten-free pizza crust and oatmeal cookies; watch for store availability announcements.
The ProBar – ProBar’s Fruition line is organic and marketed as a superfood snack. The newest flavor is Chocolate Orange, alongside Lemon, Cherry, Strawberry, Blueberry, Peach and CranRaspberry. These bars are certified gluten-free and test under 10 ppm for gluten cross-contamination.
Golden Valley Natural – A longtime favorite for gluten-free jerky, Golden Valley makes organic beef jerky from hormone-free beef with no preservatives, nitrites, erythorbate, or MSG. Flavors include Original, Black Pepper, Teriyaki, Sweet N Spicy, and BBQ. Their turkey jerky offerings vary; check labels for gluten-free options. The company described production practices designed to minimize cross-contamination, including producing gluten-free products after thorough cleaning and performing swab tests on contact surfaces.
Read Part 2 of New Gluten Free Products 2012 for more product updates and trends from the show.