“glutenfrei**” on German packs: what the asterisk means

If a pack in Germany or Austria says “glutenfrei**” and the footnote says “** von Natur aus glutenfrei” (naturally gluten-free), the product may be called gluten-free and the normal rules apply. The asterisk only explains why the maker added the note.

Why the asterisk is there

EU law bans claims that make a food sound special for a quality that all similar foods share (Regulation 1169/2011, Article 7(1)(c)). Rice, corn or pulses aren’t “specially” gluten-free compared with other products of the same kind: they all are. So makers add “von Natur aus glutenfrei” to the claim. You’ll see the same pattern elsewhere in the EU, in the local language.

Does the 20 mg/kg limit still apply?

Yes. Anyone who puts “glutenfrei” on a pack, with or without the asterisk, has to meet the EU rule: 20 mg of gluten per kg or less (Implementing Regulation 828/2014). The asterisk doesn’t weaken the claim. For oats, a gluten-free claim is only allowed when the oats are produced to meet that limit.

And when the pack says nothing, like rice paper?

A naturally gluten-free food doesn’t have to be labelled gluten-free. Rice paper is usually rice flour, tapioca, water and salt. The ingredient list decides: in the EU, wheat, barley and rye must be named and highlighted (look for Weizen, Dinkel, Gerste, Roggen; Dinkel is spelt, a type of wheat). Some rice papers do contain wheat, so read the list. On products like these, a gluten-free label is a convenience, not a requirement.

Keep reading

• The Hidden-Gluten Watchlist: the 15 forbidden names and the ones to check
• What does “gluten-free” on a label mean?
• What “may contain gluten” really means
• Label Lab: check an ingredient list (German included)

Sources: EU Regulation 1169/2011 (Article 7(1)(c); Annex II), EU Implementing Regulation 828/2014, Codex Alimentarius. Checked 28 September 2026. We inform, we don’t diagnose: for medical questions, your doctor or dietitian has the last word.