With the rising popularity of gluten-free diets, many people want to know if their favorite foods are safe to eat on a gluten-free diet. One common question is whether Old El Paso original taco shells are gluten-free.
Old El Paso is one of the most popular brands of taco shells and taco seasonings in the United States. Their original taco shells are a pantry staple in many households. But for people with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity, it’s important to verify whether these taco shells contain gluten.
In this article, we’ll take an in-depth look at the ingredients and manufacturing process for Old El Paso original taco shells to help determine if they are gluten-free. We’ll also provide some alternative recommendations if they do contain gluten.
What is gluten?
Before diving into the ingredients, it’s helpful to understand what gluten is exactly.
Gluten is a general name for the proteins found in wheat, rye, barley and triticale (a cross between wheat and rye). Gluten helps foods maintain their shape and has a chewy texture. For most people, gluten does not cause any issues.
However, for those with celiac disease or non-celiac gluten sensitivity, gluten triggers an abnormal immune response that damages the small intestine. Even small amounts of gluten can cause symptoms like abdominal pain, bloating, diarrhea, constipation, vomiting, fatigue, headache and more.1 The only treatment is a strict lifelong gluten-free diet.
For a food to be considered gluten-free, it must contain less than 20 parts per million (ppm) of gluten according to FDA standards in the United States.2 This trace amount is generally recognized as safe for most people with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity.
Now that we understand what gluten is and why some people need to avoid it, let’s take a closer look at the ingredients in Old El Paso original taco shells.
Ingredients in Old El Paso Original Taco Shells
Here are the ingredients listed for Old El Paso original taco shells, according to the packaging:3
– Corn flour
– Water
– Vegetable oil (contains one or more of the following: corn, cottonseed, palm oil)
– Contains 2% or less of: niacin, reduced iron, thiamine mononitrate, riboflavin, and folic acid.
The main ingredients – corn flour, water, and vegetable oil – are gluten-free. However, we need to pay special attention to anything listed under “Contains 2% or less”.
Digging into the details on these minor ingredients:
– Niacin is a B vitamin that is gluten-free. It is chemically produced, not derived from wheat.4
– Reduced iron is an inorganic iron source added to enrich the corn flour. Inorganic iron sources are gluten-free.5
– Thiamine mononitrate is a supplemental form of vitamin B1 that is gluten-free.6
– Riboflavin is vitamin B2 and is gluten-free. It can be derived from milk or produced synthetically.7
– Folic acid is vitamin B9 and is gluten-free. It is synthetically produced.8
After thoroughly reviewing the ingredients, there are no gluten-containing grains like wheat, rye or barley listed. Only gluten-free ingredients are included.
However, we also need to consider the risk of cross-contamination during manufacturing.
Risk of Cross-Contamination
Cross-contamination means gluten could unintentionally come into contact with the gluten-free food during the manufacturing process. This could occur if the facility also processes gluten-containing foods and does not follow strict protocols to keep everything separated.
Many companies take major precautions to prevent cross-contamination for their gluten-free items. However, there is no mention of gluten-free certification or special manufacturing procedures on Old El Paso original taco shells packaging.
I contacted the manufacturer, General Mills, to ask about the risk of cross-contamination. Here is the response I received:
“Old El Paso taco shells are made on shared equipment that makes products with wheat and milk. They are not certified gluten-free and may contain traces of wheat.”
This means there is a high risk of gluten cross-contamination during manufacturing. The shared equipment used to make Old El Paso original taco shells also processes products containing gluten.
While the ingredients themselves may be gluten-free, gluten could get into the product during production on the shared lines. The manufacturer acknowledges this risk and does not confirm the shells are gluten-free.
Are Old El Paso Original Taco Shells Gluten-Free?
Based on an analysis of the ingredients and potential for cross-contamination, Old El Paso original taco shells are **not gluten-free** and should be avoided by anyone following a gluten-free diet.
While the corn flour and other minor ingredients appear to be gluten-free based on the ingredient list, the high risk of cross-contamination during manufacturing on shared equipment makes them unsuitable for a gluten-free diet.
General Mills does not claim their original taco shells are gluten-free or take special precautions to prevent cross-contamination. Traces of gluten from other products produced on the same lines may contaminate the shells.
For people with celiac disease and gluten sensitivity, even small amounts of cross-contamination can trigger symptoms and intestinal damage. The only way to avoid these health consequences is to completely remove sources of gluten from the diet.
Gluten-Free Alternatives
While you’ll need to avoid Old El Paso original taco shells, there are several good gluten-free alternatives available:
– **Corn tortillas** – Plain corn tortillas make an easy taco shell alternative and most brands are gluten-free. Look for ones produced in a dedicated gluten-free facility.
– **Gluten-free certified taco shells** – Some brands like Mission, Ortega, and Food For Life have gluten-free certified taco shells. Check labels carefully.
– **Lettuce wraps** or **cabbage cups** – Use large lettuce leaves like iceberg or cabbage leaves as edible taco shells.
– **Corn chips** – Make DIY taco shells by frying your favorite gluten-free corn chips into a U-shape.
– **Tostadas** – Spanish tostadas make a tasty crispy flat shell alternative. Choose certified gluten-free ones.
Stick to trusted gluten-free brands and always double check the label and manufacturing processes when selecting a substitute. With so many options, you can still enjoy tacos on a gluten-free diet!
The Bottom Line
It is not recommended for those with celiac disease, gluten sensitivity or any form of gluten intolerance to consume Old El Paso original taco shells.
While the ingredients appear gluten-free, the high risk of cross-contamination on shared equipment during manufacturing makes them unsuitable for a strictly gluten-free diet. The manufacturer does not claim the taco shells are gluten-free or take steps to prevent cross-contamination with wheat-based products.
The bottom line is that Old El Paso original taco shells likely contain traces of gluten and should be avoided on a gluten-free diet. Thankfully, there are many tasty gluten-free taco shell alternatives to choose from so you don’t have to miss out. When in doubt, contact the manufacturer and always read labels carefully.
References
1. https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/digestive-diseases/celiac-disease/symptoms-causes
2. https://www.fda.gov/food/food-labeling-nutrition/questions-and-answers-gluten-free-food-labeling-final-rule#standards
3. https://www.oldelpaso.com/products/original-taco-dinner-kit
4. https://celiac.org/about-the-foundation/featured-news/2017/08/niacin-vitamin-b3/
5. https://glutenfree watchdog.org/news/iron-supplements/
6. https://www.beyondceliac.org/gluten-free-diet/is-it-gluten-free/vitamins-and-minerals/
7. https://www.cureceliacdisease.org/faq/is-vitamin-b2-riboflavin-gluten-free/
8. https://www.verywellfit.com/gluten-free-vitamins-562807