Is maltodextrin gluten-free? Yes, even when it’s made from wheat

Yes. Maltodextrin is gluten-free, whatever it’s made from. It’s a starch that has been broken down into short sugar chains, and it can come from corn (maize), potato, tapioca, rice or wheat.

What about wheat maltodextrin?

Also gluten-free. The processing breaks the starch down so far that no significant gluten is left, which is why Coeliac UK lists maltodextrin as suitable. EU law agrees: “wheat based maltodextrins” are one of the named exceptions to the gluten allergen rules, so a label doesn’t have to flag them as wheat.

The word that trips people up

Maltodextrin has nothing to do with malt. Malt, malt extract and malt flavouring are made from barley and do contain gluten. If the label says maltodextrin, you’re fine; if it says malt, check whether the product is labelled gluten-free.

In the US

If a US maltodextrin is made from wheat, the label has to name wheat, in the ingredient list or in a “Contains: wheat” line. That tells you the source; the processing that removes the gluten is the same.

Keep reading

• The Hidden-Gluten Watchlist: the 15 forbidden names and the ones to check
• Is malt extract gluten-free?
• Is glucose syrup gluten-free?
• Hidden gluten ingredients on labels
• Label Lab: check an ingredient list

Sources: EU Regulation 1169/2011 (Annex II), EU Regulation 828/2014, Coeliac UK, US FDA gluten-free labelling rule and FALCPA, 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.