Are Kirkland Signature Bacon Crumbles Gluten-Free? - Tasting Table

"Sometimes it seems like figuring out which foods are gluten-free requires a decoder ring and keen detective skills. It should be a lot easier, but every once in a while you come across a product that isn't as clear as you'd like. Kirkland Signature Bacon Crumbles appear to be gluten-free, but the label does not explicitly state that. For anyone with celiac disease, that can be a concern."

"What we can say for sure is that the ingredients list does not include wheat or grains. The label says it is 100% bacon cured with water, salt, sugar, sodium phosphates, sodium erythorbate, and sodium nitrite. Given that none of these are wheat- or grain-based ingredients, it's likely that the bacon crumbles are gluten free, but there is still a small reason for concern."

"Best Choice brand bacon bits have an extensive list of allergens on their website. According to their warnings, the bacon bits may contain wheat products, which would trigger a gluten sensitivity. That doesn't mean the bacon bits are made with gluten, but it means there could have been cross-contamination. So it's not an outlandish concern to wonder if Kirkland Signature Bacon Crumbles are in the same boat."

Kirkland Signature Bacon Crumbles list no wheat or grains among ingredients, listing 100% bacon cured with water, salt, sugar, sodium phosphates, sodium erythorbate, and sodium nitrite. Those ingredients are not wheat- or grain-based, making the product likely gluten-free, though a small risk of cross-contact remains. Costco customer service indicated that any chance of cross-contact during production would be noted on the label. Based on those points, people with gluten sensitivities are probably safe to eat the bacon crumbles. Other brands, such as Best Choice bacon bits, include allergen warnings that they may contain wheat through cross-contamination.

Read at Tasting Table