Gluten Free?

[Bosque]

Is vinegar gluten free? Even though it is a distilled product, I am not sure about the gluten thing.

Thanks,

Bosque

[psawyer]

It is generally accepted that distillation removes any gluten from the final product, whether it be alcohol or vinegar.

Vinegar can be made from grains which are a source of gluten, but I have yet to find a distilled vinegar in North America that was. Most are corn, the rest are typically apple cider based. My comments apply only when the single word "vinegar" or the phrase "distilled vinegar" is used, and do not apply to other vinegars. Nonetheless, the only one I worry about is "malt vinegar" since is is not distilled and the malt is typically from barley--a gluten source.

[mushroom]

Vinegar is the one ingredient that will put me off purchasing a product because unfortunately malt vinegar is the most commonly used here (it's a British thing, you know) so if it doesn't specify what kind of vinegar I must always assume it is malt

[psawyer]

It is important to keep in mind that labeling rules vary depending on where you are.

In both Canada and the United States, in an ingredient list, the single word "vinegar" refers exclusively to distilled white vinegar. Malt vinegar must be described as exactly that: "malt vinegar."

Different rules apply elsewhere. Thanks for clarifying that, mushroom.