Are Oats gluten free?

The Gluten Free Austrian

Oats are a very controversial topic among celiac and gluten-free communities. In their pure form, they are free from gluten but are often grown near fields of wheat, rye or barley.

Aside from the growing process, they may also come in contact with gluten while being processed.

There are 3 categories of Oats in the US. Please be aware in many countries outside the US, oats are not part of a gluten-free diet.

Standard oats are most likely contaminated with wheat, rye, and barley and should be avoided by celiacs by all means. The first brand that comes to my mind is Quaker Oats

Mechanically sorted oats have undergone sorting by a machine to separate oats by length, density, and color from wheat, barley, and rye grain. This method of sorting oats from gluten isn’t foolproof. A very well-known product using mechanically sorted oats is Cheerios.

Purity Protocol Oats – Growers are required to have a three-year gluten-free crop rotation, and annual field inspections to ensure their fields are free of gluten grains. After extensive testing, those oats are “certified gluten-free.”

Learn more about Gluten Free Oats and find some delicious recipes using them on my website - The Gluten Free Austrian