Lyla Lindsey
In Australia, about one in 40 gluten-free food products do not meet national standards, according to a 2018 study. Coeliac disease affects around one in 70 Australians, and for those affected, a lifelong and strict gluten-free diet is the only treatment. So, is Spam, the famous canned meat, gluten-free in Australia? Most traditional Spam varieties are gluten-free, as they are made from pork, ham, salt, water, potato starch, sugar, and sodium nitrite, which are all gluten-free ingredients. However, some flavoured varieties may include gluten-containing ingredients, and as Spam is not processed in a dedicated gluten-free facility, there is a chance of cross-contamination.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Is Spam gluten-free? | Most flavors of Spam are gluten-free. |
| Gluten-free Spam ingredients | Pork with ham, salt, water, potato starch, sugar, and sodium nitrate/nitrite. |
| Gluten-free certification | Spam is not processed in a dedicated gluten-free facility, so there is a chance of cross-contamination. |
| Gluten-free diet concerns | People with celiac disease should always carefully check labels and opt for products specifically labeled gluten-free. |
| Australian standards | Gluten-free foods fail to meet Australian standards in about one in 40 cases. |
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What You'll Learn
Spam's gluten-free ingredients
Spam is a canned ham product that is considered a processed pork meat. It was created in 1937 by Hormel Foods and is known for being tasty and inexpensive. Spam consists of pork meat and cured ham ground together with a few simple ingredients. These ingredients include pork with ham, salt, water, potato starch, sugar, and sodium nitrate. These ingredients are naturally gluten-free, and Spam is labelled as gluten-free on its packaging.
However, it is important to note that Spam is not processed in a dedicated gluten-free facility. This means there is a chance of cross-contamination during manufacturing. While Spam is generally safe for those on a gluten-free diet, it is always recommended to read the ingredient and nutrition label carefully as ingredients and manufacturing processes can change.
There are currently ten varieties of Spam available, including Original, Lite, 25% Less Sodium, Bacon, Turkey, Hickory Smoke, Hot & Spicy, Jalapeño, and Teriyaki. Most of these varieties are gluten-free, with the exception of the Teriyaki flavour, which is not gluten-free. The Hickory Smoke flavour is also of note, as it does not contain any gluten ingredients but is not listed as gluten-free on the Hormel website. This may be due to the presence of barley malt or another gluten ingredient in the smoke flavouring.
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Gluten-free labelling in Australia
In Australia, gluten is identified as one of the top eleven allergens under the Food Standards Code. Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) defines a 'gluten-free' claim as a nutrition content claim. Businesses making such a claim need to ensure their product contains 'no detectable gluten'. This differs from other countries, such as the US, UK and EU, where gluten-free products are allowed to contain up to 20ppm of gluten.
Creative terms such as 'gluten-friendly', 'coeliac-friendly' and '99% gluten-free' are not permitted under the Code. The use of the name of any disease on food packaging is not permitted, except when incorporated into a trademarked endorsement logo. For example, the term 'coeliac' can be used if the product is endorsed by Coeliac Australia.
Allergen labelling is also important. If an ingredient is derived from wheat, rye, barley or oats, it must be declared in bold in the statement of ingredients. If there is no mention of these gluten-containing grains, then no ingredient is derived from them. Mandatory summary statements help identify which allergens are present in a product, and the source ingredient of any allergen will also be listed. Advisory statements, such as 'May contain wheat' or 'Manufactured on the same line as gluten-containing products', indicate a risk of inadvertent contamination.
Coeliac Australia has developed resources to help food businesses understand best practices when serving gluten-free food. These include the Gluten Free Standard for Food Service Providers, which outlines each stage of food preparation, and Gluten Free Online Training, an interactive training module.
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Gluten-free alternatives to Spam
While Spam is labelled as gluten-free, it is not processed in a dedicated gluten-free facility, so there is a chance of cross-contamination. Some sources suggest that it contains wheat starch, which contains gluten. Therefore, it is not safe for those with celiac disease.
Canned Ham
Canned ham is a processed pork product that is fully cooked and often shaped into a loaf. It has a salty flavour similar to Spam but with a more distinct pork taste.
Potted Meat
Potted meat is a smooth, spreadable meat product made from various meats (often chicken and pork) blended with seasonings. It has a paste-like consistency and can be used as a spread or in recipes. Just be sure to check the label to ensure it's gluten-free, as ingredients and processing methods can vary between brands.
Bacon
Bacon is typically made from raw or smoked pork belly that has been preserved. Unless gluten is added, bacon usually does not contain gluten and can be considered gluten-free. However, to be sure, look for bacon that is labelled or certified gluten-free, such as Applegate Farms' Natural Good Morning Bacon or Natural Reduced Sodium Sunday Bacon.
Certified Gluten-Free Hot Dogs
If you're looking for a sausage-like product, there are several brands of hot dogs that are certified gluten-free. For example, all Dietz & Watson hot dogs are certified gluten-free by the National Celiac Association, testing under 5 parts per million of gluten.
Remember, it's always important to read the labels and ensure that the products are specifically labelled as gluten-free, especially if you have celiac disease or gluten intolerance.
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Celiac disease and gluten intolerance
Celiac disease is an autoimmune disorder, which means that the immune system reacts abnormally to gluten. This abnormal reaction causes damage to the lining of the small intestine, which is responsible for absorbing nutrients. This damage can occur even without symptoms, and it can also cause inflammation elsewhere in the body. If left untreated, Celiac disease can lead to malnutrition, osteoporosis, depression, and infertility. The only treatment is a strict, lifelong gluten-free diet, which can be challenging due to the presence of gluten in many foods.
Gluten intolerance, or non-celiac gluten sensitivity (NCGS), is a sensitivity to gluten rather than an autoimmune disorder. Those with NCGS may only need to reduce their gluten and carbohydrate intake, rather than completely avoiding gluten as those with Celiac disease must. However, removing gluten from your diet if you don't have Celiac disease or gluten intolerance will not improve your digestive or metabolic health.
Spam is a processed canned pork and ham product that is naturally gluten-free. It is safe for most people on a gluten-free diet, as it contains no gluten ingredients. However, it is not processed in a dedicated gluten-free facility, so there is a chance of cross-contamination. The Teriyaki flavour is not gluten-free, and the Hickory Smoke flavour is not listed as gluten-free, although it does not contain any gluten ingredients.
While Spam is generally safe for those with Celiac disease or gluten intolerance, it is always important to check the ingredient label, as ingredients and manufacturing processes can change.
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Cross-contamination risks
Cross-contact occurs when gluten is accidentally transferred from a gluten-containing food to a gluten-free food. Cross-contact is a significant concern for those with coeliac disease, as even a small amount of gluten can be harmful.
There are several risks of cross-contamination that those on a gluten-free diet should be aware of. One of the main risks is in the preparation and cooking of food. It is important to always use clean food preparation areas, appliances, boards, utensils, and hands. When grilling or barbecuing, keep gluten-free food separate from gluten-containing food. If using a shared toaster, clean it regularly and do not place gluten-free food directly on the same surface as gluten-containing food.
Another risk of cross-contamination is in the storage of food. Gluten-free and gluten-containing foods should be stored separately and labelled clearly, especially after being removed from their original packaging.
When eating out or buying packaged food, it can be more difficult to control the risk of cross-contamination. It is important to ask questions and assess the risk of cross-contact. For example, ask if gluten-containing foods are cooked on the same surface as gluten-free foods. When buying packaged food, check the allergen list and ingredient label carefully, as ingredients and manufacturing processes can change.
It is worth noting that some people choose to maintain an entirely gluten-free household to minimise the risk of cross-contamination. However, this is not always possible due to budget and space constraints.
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Frequently asked questions
Spam is considered gluten-free in Australia as it contains no gluten ingredients. However, it is not processed in a dedicated gluten-free facility, so there is a chance of cross-contamination.
Spam contains pork with ham, salt, water, potato starch, sugar, and sodium nitrite.
Hormel, the maker of Spam, produces a gluten-free version called Spam Single Classic.
Bacon is usually gluten-free, as it is made from raw or smoked pork belly. However, it is always best to check the label to ensure there are no gluten-containing ingredients.
While Australia has strict standards for gluten-free products, about one in 40 products tested by researchers did not meet these standards. Therefore, it is important to carefully read labels and look for products specifically labelled as gluten-free.
