Are spices gluten-free? Single spices are, check blends

Single, pure spices are gluten-free. Paprika, cinnamon, cumin, garlic powder, turmeric and pepper are dried plants, not grains.

What to check

• Blends and seasonings (curry powder, US-style chili powder, taco or fajita mixes, stock seasonings) sometimes use wheat flour or wheat starch as a filler or carrier. Read the label.
• Asafoetida (hing) is often cut with wheat flour; look for one labelled gluten-free.
• Cross-contact: spices packed alongside flour-based products can pick up traces. A gluten-free label covers that.
• Loose spices from market stalls and bulk bins share scoops. Pre-packed is the easier choice.

Keep reading

• Is Indian curry gluten-free?
• Are tacos gluten-free?
• Is MSG gluten-free?

Sources: EU Regulation 1169/2011 (Annex II: cereals containing gluten), Coeliac UK, Codex Alimentarius (gluten-free = 20 mg/kg or less). Checked 28 September 2026. We inform, we don’t diagnose: for medical questions, your doctor or dietitian has the last word.