Categories: Gluten Free Product Reviews

Trader Joe’s Gluten Free Pasta Review

The first time I saw Trader Joe’s gluten free pasta (brown rice pasta: fusilli, penne, and spaghetti), I never noticed that it stated it was gluten free. I love their penne pasta! At the top of the package it was prominently labeled organic, wheat-free, cholesterol-free and sodium-free, but not gluten-free. It is even certified organic and certified Kosher. I was concerned that it may contain cross-contamination and did not want to recommend it to my clients and readers who have a high gluten intolerance. However, I gave it a try and was very pleased with the texture, flavor and reasonable price.

I emailed Trader Joe’s and asked whether it was gluten-free and more, and by the next day I noticed the gluten-free symbol (a “g” with a wheat sprig at the top of the letter) at the bottom right-hand corner on the front of the package.

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[showmyads]Meanwhile, Trader Joe’s responded to my inquiry regarding testing and more. See their reply below:

Dear Carla,

First and foremost, thank you for taking the time to contact us, and please accept my apology for our delay in response time. We experienced an unexpectedly high volume of calls and emails this holiday season, and we are still playing catch-up – but that is no excuse.

Trader Joe’s brown rice pastas (fusilli, penne, and spaghetti) are all made in a facility that contains no gluten whatsoever, which is why we feel safe in making the claim that these products aren’t just “no gluten ingredient” products but, in fact, “gluten-free.” We also test, just to back up that claim further.

We hope this helps, and we hope you enjoy the pasta, Carla!

Best regards,

Rachel
Customer Relations
Trader Joe’s

Thank you very much, Trader Joe’s, for Trader Joe’s Gluten Free Pasta! It’s such a high-quality, gluten-free product. Thanks for keeping us gluten-free safe!

Gluten Free Recipes Admin

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View Comments

Brenda says:

November 17, 2015 at 4:51 pm

I would like some help with good tasting recipes.
- Gluten Free Recipes says:
  
  November 17, 2015 at 6:25 pm
  
  Hi Breanda,
  
  I have over 1,200 delicious gluten-free reicpes right on this website. Check out the recipe index - http://glutenfreerecipebox.com/gluten-free-recipes/.
  
  Enjoy!
  Carla
katie says:

May 18, 2012 at 11:35 am

I eat all time its good cheep and easy meal. I never had any problems with it.
AussieChris says:

May 18, 2012 at 10:55 am

Trader Joes does not stand by their own G (no gluten) claim, as they say "use at your own risk". Their no gluten label is their own internal label. It is not open to peer review, so their claims that they test the product are not to be trusted. USA labeling laws do not yet cover Gluten Free products, so there is no legal requirement for Trader Joes to be more rigorous than they are. I believe they a probably trying to do the right thing. but having had Celiac reactions to their "no gluten" products, I think their intentions are misplaced. I will not be trusting the Trader Joes "No Gluten Ingredients Used" label until it is backed by independent and verifiable external review.
- Gluten Free Recipes says:
  
  May 18, 2012 at 11:27 am
  
  Hi AussieChris!
  
  Thank you for your feedback.
  
  I cannot tell by if you have tried Trader Joe's pasta or not. However, because many of my readers who are celiac do well with Trader Joe's pasta, perhaps you are either more sensitive than those individuals or you are reacting to cross-reactive ingredients. Have you checked out Dr. Vikki Petersen's article on cross-reactivity? Rice is one of the listed ingredients. She has 20 years experience in the field of food allergies, gluten intolarance and sensivity and has helped so many individuals, including myself. Here's the link to her article: http://glutenfreerecipebox.com/gluten-cross-reactivity
  
  Carla
  I hope this helps.
dave laird says:

January 29, 2012 at 5:14 pm

I prefer over all others watch the cooking stir often and stay with pot. taste as you go. best for prefect pasta.
Kate says:

January 21, 2012 at 5:40 pm

We like TJs brown rice penne and fusilli; it's almost as good as Tinkayada and about 1/2 the price. However, the TJs brown rice spaghetti is awful; mushy and off-tasting, no matter how al dente I try to cook it - and I have been cooking macaroni for 40 years :)