Is distilled vinegar gluten-free?
Distilled vinegar is gluten-free — even when made from wheat or barley. The distillation process removes gluten proteins below the FDA's 20 ppm threshold. The Celiac Disease Foundation, Beyond Celiac, and the FDA all confirm distilled vinegar is safe for celiacs, with one exception: malt vinegar (never distilled).
When it's safe
- The label says "distilled vinegar," "white vinegar," or "apple cider vinegar"
- The product is rice vinegar, red wine vinegar, or balsamic vinegar
When to avoid it
- The product is malt vinegar — not distilled, retains barley gluten
- The vinegar is in a sauce that also contains malt, soy sauce with wheat, or other GF red flags
Not sure about a specific product?
GF Scanner is an iOS app that scans barcodes and ingredient labels to detect gluten in seconds. It's free to download, includes 1 free barcode scan and forever-free offline ingredient-label text scanning, and offers a free trial for Pro barcode scanning and AI analysis. It works on packaged foods worldwide and supports 33 languages.
Download FreeFrequently asked questions
Does distilled vinegar contain gluten even if made from wheat?
No. Distillation boils off and recondenses the vinegar, leaving gluten proteins behind. Tests consistently show distilled vinegar is below 20 ppm regardless of source grain.
Is apple cider vinegar gluten-free?
Yes. Apple cider vinegar is made from apples and is naturally gluten-free. Look for pasteurized or certified versions if you want extra assurance.
Is rice vinegar gluten-free?
Yes, pure rice vinegar is gluten-free. Be careful with seasoned rice vinegar for sushi — some brands add malted barley for flavor.