Condensed milk is not only excellent in dessert recipes but also in creamy and savory dishes. But is it gluten-free?
Condensed milk is inherently gluten-free when it’s unflavored using gluten-containing ingredients, as stated by the Federal Register. Sweetened and unsweetened condensed milk is also listed to be allowed for people with Celiac disease.
What is the difference between sweetened and unsweetened condensed milk, and what brands have the “gluten-free” label? Find out the answers below!
Is Condensed Milk Gluten Free?
According to the Federal Register, milk is inherently gluten-free, when it’s unflavored with ingredients that have gluten. This includes sweetened condensed milk and evaporated milk variety (source: Federal Register).
The International Journal of Immunopathology and Pharmacology also lists both sweetened and unsweetened condensed milk to be allowed for people with Celiac diseases (source: International Journal of Immunopathology and Pharmacology).
In grocery stores and online, we commonly see sweetened condensed milk more. Where did the unsweetened version, you ask? It’s actually evaporated milk.
Evaporated milk is called so because its water has been evaporated. It goes through heating where 60% of its water has been removed by evaporation. It is then homogenized, canned, and sterilized (source: Food Network).
Homogenized milk is milk that has undergone homogenization, where the fat molecules are made smaller so the cream won’t come up top.
The only difference that sweetened condensed milk and evaporated milk have is the taste and consistency. The former is thicker than the latter.
Is Sweetened Condensed Milk Also Gluten Free?
Sweetened condensed milk is free from gluten as stated above. It is also synonymous with condensed milk. Moreover, when a recipe calls for condensed milk, it means sweetened condensed milk.
Sugar is what condenses milk and gives that thick consistency to the condensed milk. It undergoes slow heating and the addition of sugar makes it thick as well as caramelized (source: All Recipes). This shows in the beige color of the condensed milk.
Sweetened condensed milk comes from milk whose water content is partially removed, and added with a suitable, safe, and nutritive carbohydrate sweetener. It has 8% or more of milkfat by weight and 28% or more of total milk solids or more.
The carbohydrate sweetener to be used needs to be able to prevent spoilage. The condensed milk is pasteurized or it can also be homogenized (source: FDA).
Having confirmed condensed milk’s gluten-free status, have you explored the wide array of plant-based alternatives? Discovering the perfect vegan milk companion for your morning cereal adventure could redefine your breakfast routine. Interested? Take a peek at our guide for insights.
Popular brands and whether they are GF
Let’s look at some popular condensed milk brands and see if they are gluten-free according to the manufacturer’s website or their packaging.
Carnation
Carnation condensed milk, both sweetened and evaporated, doesn’t seem to have a “gluten-free” label on its packaging. Carrageenan and dipotassium phosphate, which are present in the ingredients label of Carnation evaporated milk, are gluten-free.
The UK version, on the other hand, is gluten-free according to Carnation’s website (source: Carnation UK).
Magnolia
Magnolia’s condensed milk also doesn’t seem to have the “gluten-free” label on the packaging, nor do they mention that both evaporated milk and sweetened condensed milk are free from gluten.
PET
According to their website, their PET Regular Evaporated Milk has no gluten ingredients. The chance of cross-contamination within the facility is also unlikely.
On the other hand, their PET Fat Free Evaporated Milk is made in a facility that also processes gluten, making cross-contamination possible (source: PET Milk).
Great Value
Great Value sweetened condensed milk doesn’t bear the “gluten-free” logo. They also didn’t mention on their website that the product doesn’t contain gluten.
Nestle La Lechera
Nestle La Lechera sweetened condensed milk also doesn’t have the “gluten-free” label on the packaging, and their website doesn’t indicate that it is.
Condensed milk may be generally considered a gluten-free food, but we still recommend always reading the packaging, especially the ingredients list.
This list as well as this one will help you identify exact ingredients that are allowed and not allowed for people with Celiac disease or gluten sensitivity.
We hope this article helped answer your questions!
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