Coeliac in New Zealand

The names gluten hides behind are the same in every country, so we keep them in one place: our hidden gluten ingredients list. This page covers what changes in New Zealand: the law behind “gluten-free”, what a “may contain” line means there, oats, labels, symbols, help with costs and the national coeliac association.

New Zealand at a glance

What does “gluten free” mean on a New Zealand label?

New Zealand uses the same joint Food Standards Code as Australia: the Code notes that its provisions applying in New Zealand are incorporated in, or adopted under, the Food Act 2014, and FSANZ says all food sold in Australia and New Zealand must comply.

Under Schedule 4 (compilation in force from 30 April 2026), a food labelled “gluten free” must contain no detectable gluten, no oats or oat products, and no malted gluten-containing cereals or their products, and Coeliac New Zealand states the same rule.

The Code sets no ppm number, so the result depends on the lab method. Coeliac New Zealand says the most widely used test in New Zealand and Australia detects about 1 ppm of gluten and measures it from 5 ppm. Imported products that only meet the international Codex 20 ppm standard cannot say “gluten free” in New Zealand, Coeliac New Zealand says, so check the label of imported gluten free products.

“Low gluten” is a separate, weaker label: no more than 20 mg of gluten per 100 g (200 ppm). Only “free” and “low” may be used with gluten, so words like “gluten friendly” fall outside the Code. A gluten free label is voluntary, but once used the Schedule 4 conditions apply, and drinks above 1.15% alcohol may carry one, such as “gluten free” beer.

Coeliac New Zealand directs label complaints, such as undeclared gluten or misleading information, to the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) on 0800 00 83 33 or info@mpi.govt.nz. FSANZ’s work plan, current as of 16 October 2026, lists no change to the gluten free definition.

Can I eat food that says “may contain” in New Zealand?

In New Zealand the words “gluten free” are the legal test (no detectable gluten), while “may contain” lines are voluntary and not legally required, so we follow Coeliac New Zealand: contact the manufacturer rather than automatically avoiding every product that carries one. We always let a “gluten free” label take precedence over a “may contain” line: by law it means no detectable gluten.

FSANZ says “may contain” and “may be present” statements are voluntary and not regulated by the Food Standards Code, so there is no legal wording, threshold or test behind them. VITAL, the Allergen Bureau’s voluntary industry method, recommends only the wording “May be present: allergen x, allergen y”.

Coeliac New Zealand says precautionary statements such as “May contain traces of gluten” are not legally required, and that the best option is to contact the manufacturer, as avoiding every food with such a statement may not always be necessary.

It treats other wording differently: products labelled “Contains Gluten”, “Contains traces of gluten” or “Low-gluten” should be avoided on a strict gluten free diet, and it does not recommend “low gluten” products for people newly diagnosed.

Are oats gluten free in New Zealand?

No oat product can be labelled gluten free in New Zealand, by law, and Coeliac New Zealand notes this includes imported oats.

Coeliac New Zealand’s position (Medical Advisory Panel, revised February 2025) advises against including oats in a gluten free diet, citing contamination of standard oats and the small number of people who do not tolerate pure oats. Anyone considering “pure” or overseas “gluten free” oats should work with their medical specialist and dietitian first, Coeliac New Zealand says.

How do New Zealand labels show wheat, barley, rye and oats?

Wheat must be declared as “wheat” whether or not it contains gluten, while barley, oats and rye (and hybrids such as triticale) are declared by name when they contain gluten. If any gluten cereal is present, the word “gluten” must also appear in the bold “Contains” summary statement. This Plain English Allergen Labelling (PEAL) format has applied since 25 February 2024, and older-format stock could be sold only until 25 February 2026.

Coeliac New Zealand notes that “cereals containing gluten” is no longer allowed on a label: the cereal must be named in bold. Its reading of the label: if wheat, rye, barley, oats or gluten are not in the ingredient list, no ingredient comes from a gluten grain, and it says this applies to products made in New Zealand and Australia only. It also names exceptions: a few wheat-derived ingredients, such as glucose syrup, dextrose, caramel and maltodextrin from wheat, are so highly processed that they contain no detectable gluten.

Unpackaged food, in cafés, takeaways and at bakery counters, must still declare these allergens, displayed with the food or given on request. Glucose syrup made from wheat need not declare wheat if it has no more than 20 mg/kg of gluten.

Beer and spirits do not have to declare barley, rye, oats or wheat, and Coeliac New Zealand says that unless a beer is marked gluten free, assume it contains gluten.

Which gluten free symbols will I see in New Zealand?

The Crossed Grain logo is Coeliac New Zealand’s certified trademark for products made and licensed in New Zealand and sold in New Zealand and Australia. Products carrying it also say “gluten free” and meet the no detectable gluten standard, and Coeliac New Zealand says they are lab-tested every 12 months, including random audit testing.

For eating out, Coeliac New Zealand’s Dining Out Programme is a training and accreditation programme for hospitality and catering businesses: venues pass an independent gluten free audit and are listed in its Dining Out Guide.

Is there help with the cost of gluten free food in New Zealand?

For New Zealand citizens and permanent residents only, Work and Income’s Disability Allowance pays up to NZ$82.85 a week towards regular extra costs of a long-term condition, and special foods are among the costs it accepts. Coeliac New Zealand says it can cover the price difference between special foods and their ordinary equivalent.

Coeliac New Zealand also reports a partial subsidy for three gluten-free products, dispensed at certain pharmacies, obtained with a special authority number arranged with your doctor, specialist or dietitian.

Who is New Zealand’s coeliac association?

Coeliac New Zealand (coeliac.org.nz) has a page for visitors: packaged food such as pasta, bread and snacks may be brought in if well wrapped, but you must declare it under New Zealand’s biosecurity rules. It publishes a Crossed Grain shopping guide of certified brands and products, and visitors can email admin@coeliac.org.nz with questions.

Where can I eat gluten free in New Zealand?

For places to eat, the HTGF Atlas has hand-picked gluten-free places in New Zealand, each with dated evidence. Going on to Australia? Coeliac in Australia shares the same Food Standards Code. All countries: coeliac rules for every country we cover.