Is popcorn gluten-free? Yes, plain popcorn is

Yes. Plain popcorn is gluten-free. It’s whole corn, popped with oil or air and salt.

What to check

• Caramel and toffee popcorn: sometimes made with barley malt or a glucose syrup plus malt flavouring. Read the ingredient list.
• Flavoured popcorn: cheese, barbecue and “cookie” flavours can contain wheat or barley.
• Microwave popcorn: usually fine, but flavour sachets vary.
• Cinema and fairground popcorn: the popcorn is corn; ask about the toppings and whether the same kettle makes anything with gluten.

Plain salted or sweet popcorn is one of the easiest gluten-free snacks around. The flavourings are where you look.

Keep reading

• The Hidden-Gluten Watchlist: the 15 forbidden names and the ones to check
• Is corn gluten-free?
• Is barley gluten-free?
• Which grains are gluten-free?

Sources: Codex Alimentarius (gluten-free = 20 mg/kg or less), EU Regulation 828/2014, Coeliac UK, NHS. We inform, we don’t diagnose: for medical questions, your doctor or dietitian has the last word.