Spot the Gluten

The interactive game needs JavaScript, which is turned off in this browser. Here are all 16 items with their answers. You can read more about hidden gluten on the Inside Celiac Disease page.

All 16 items and answers

Whole-wheat bread (Pantry): Contains gluten.
Traditional wheat products such as breads, pastas and crackers are not gluten-free. Source: Celiac Disease Foundation: Gluten-free foods
A banana (Fruit bowl): Gluten-free.
Fresh and frozen fruits and vegetables are naturally gluten-free. Source: Celiac Disease Foundation: Gluten-free foods
Soy sauce (Fridge door): Can contain gluten.
Gluten can hide in soy sauce, which can be made with wheat. The Celiac Disease Foundation lists it among foods where gluten hides, so read the label. Source: Celiac Disease Foundation: Food labeling guide
Shampoo (Bathroom): Not a risk on skin or hair.
It is swallowing gluten that sets off celiac disease. Gluten is too large to be absorbed through the skin, so shampoo, conditioner and body lotion don't need to be gluten-free. Lipstick, lip balm and hand lotion are different, because they can end up in your mouth. Source: Tricia Thompson, Gluten Free Dietitian: Personal care products
Regular beer (Fridge): Contains gluten.
Traditional beers, ales, lagers and malt drinks are made from gluten-containing grains such as barley, and they are not gluten-free. Source: Celiac Disease Foundation: Gluten-free foods
Plain rice (Pantry): Gluten-free.
Rice is a naturally gluten-free grain. Source: Celiac Disease Foundation: Gluten-free foods
Cornflakes (Pantry): Can contain gluten.
A surprise: corn is gluten-free, but cornflakes and puffed rice cereal may contain malt flavoring or malt extract, which comes from barley and contains gluten. Source: Celiac Disease Foundation: Gluten-free foods
Most pills and tablets (Medicine cabinet): Rarely a concern.
The FDA says most oral medicines contain no gluten or virtually none. Very few use wheat starch, and even then a dose would carry no more than 0.5 milligrams of gluten. A pharmacist can check any specific medicine. Source: U.S. FDA: Medications and gluten
Malt vinegar (Pantry): Contains gluten.
Malt vinegar is made from barley and is not distilled, so it is not gluten-free. Source: Celiac Disease Foundation: Food labeling guide
A potato (Pantry): Gluten-free.
Potatoes are naturally gluten-free. Source: Celiac Disease Foundation: Gluten-free foods
Licorice candy (Candy jar): Can contain gluten.
Licorice is on the Celiac Disease Foundation's list of foods where gluten can hide, so check the label. Source: Celiac Disease Foundation: Food labeling guide
Play dough (Craft table): Not a risk from handling.
Wheat-based play dough does contain gluten, but a 2020 study found that handling it moved a negligible amount onto children's hands. It's only a risk if it's eaten, and washing hands removes it. Source: UPI: study of play dough and dry pasta at Children's National Hospital
Ordinary oats (Pantry): Can contain gluten.
Oats are often grown and processed alongside wheat. People with celiac disease should avoid oats that aren't labeled gluten-free, and a few react even to pure oats. Source: Celiac Disease Foundation: Gluten-free foods
Distilled white vinegar (Pantry): Gluten-free.
Most distilled vinegars are gluten-free, and distilled vinegar is on the Celiac Disease Foundation's list of safe ingredients. Source: Celiac Disease Foundation: Food labeling guide
Canned soup (Pantry): Can contain gluten.
Soups and sauces are one of the biggest sources of hidden gluten. Check the label. Source: Celiac Disease Foundation: Gluten-free foods
Regular pasta (Pantry): Contains gluten.
Traditional pasta is a wheat product and is not gluten-free. Source: Celiac Disease Foundation: Gluten-free foods

Gluten turns up in places people don't expect, and some of the things people worry about turn out to be safe. Pick every item you think could expose someone with celiac disease to gluten, then check your answers. Every answer is explained, with its source.

Earn a certificate: get 12 or more of the 16 right. Get 14 or more for Honors, and all 16 to become a Gluten Detective.

Which of these could expose someone with celiac disease to gluten?

Selected: 0 of 16. Select an item again to unselect it.

Reading labels

Gluten is a protein in wheat, rye and barley. Barley often hides behind the word malt: malt, malt extract, malt flavor and malt syrup are not safe on a gluten-free diet.
In the United States, a food labeled gluten-free must contain less than 20 parts per million of gluten.
Avoid products labeled "may contain" or "made on shared equipment with" wheat, which could contain more than 20 parts per million.
Crumbs count. Toasters, colanders, wooden cutting boards and shared condiments need to be kept separate for gluten-free food.

Source: Celiac Disease Foundation, Food labeling guide.

About this game

Every verdict comes from a published source, named under each answer: the Celiac Disease Foundation, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, registered dietitian Tricia Thompson, and a 2020 study from Children's National Hospital. Products vary by brand and recipe, so the label always has the final word.

This game is educational, not medical advice. If you think you might have celiac disease, talk to a doctor, and don't go gluten-free before you're tested: starting the diet first affects the test results.

Which of these could expose someone with celiac disease to gluten?

Your score

Certificate of Completion

Reading labels

About this game

Which of these could expose someone with celiac disease to gluten?

Your score

Certificate of Completion

Reading labels

About this game

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