Product warning for Progresso Manhattan Clam Chowder from Gluten Free Watchdog
Bottom line: This soup is labeled gluten-free and lists yeast extract in the ingredients. Per the manufacturer, the yeast extract is derived from barley.
Gluten Free Watchdog has long recommended that individuals with celiac disease avoid products NOT labeled gluten-free containing the ingredient “yeast extract” unless the manufacturer confirms the source to be gluten-free. It is concerning that a labeled gluten-free product contains yeast extract derived from barley. We have filed a complaint with the FDA.
Under the FDA’s rule for the Gluten-Free Labeling of Fermented or Hydrolyzed Foods, fermented or hydrolyzed ingredients must be gluten-free before fermentation/hydrolysis. The FDA considers yeast extract to be a fermented or hydrolyzed ingredient. If the source of yeast extract is barley, this ingredient may contain residual barley protein.
The FDA’s rule is a bit fuzzy when it comes to the gluten-free labeling of foods containing bacteria, enzymes, & yeast grown on gluten-containing media. Paraphrasing from the FDA, manufacturers should use microbial starting materials (e.g., bacteria, yeast) that are gluten-free. One way to guarantee that bacteria and yeast are gluten-free is to use a growth media that does NOT include wheat, barley, or rye. (for background, see https://www.glutenfreewatchdog.org/news/what-the-fda-has-to-say-about-gluten-free-labeling-of-foods-containing-bacteria-enzymes-yeast-grown-on-gluten-containing-media/).
What to do now: You may be wondering if this soup is safe to eat. We can’t say for sure. We will be testing it BUT the results for fermented/hydrolyzed foods/ingredients may not be accurate. We will be following up on our complaint to the FDA with a Freedom of Information Act request to learn more.
What about other Progresso soups? Gluten Free Watchdog is aware that Progresso makes other soups labeled gluten-free that list yeast extract in the ingredients. If yeast extract is something you wish to avoid, please read ingredients lists carefully.
What about other foods labeled gluten-free? You can reach out to the manufacturer to ask about the source of yeast extract. Unfortunately, some manufacturers consider this information proprietary.
Thank you to the consumer who reached out to us about this soup.
Comments (6)
From my experience inquiring about things with yeast extract, most say it contains barley but if it’s labeled gluten free it still tested below 20ppm. Idahoan Scalloped potatoes is one of the ones with barley but test below allowed limit. Ridiculous. I just avoid it now.
The competitive ELISA must be used to test products containing fermented/hydrolyzed ingredients. This assay isn’t always accurate. Per information from the FDA, they do not know if it is possible to accurately test for the presence of any residual gluten in bacteria, yeast, or enzymes produced on growth media containing a gluten source.
Thanks for the information about yeast extract. I wish barley was listed as an allergen.
Hope springs eternal!
I just ate some progresso soup yesterday, the gumbo, that is visibly labeled gluten free but does have yeast extract in the ingredients. I had neurological celiac symptoms starting a few hours after I ate the soup. I thought I was being sensitive, this warning could not be more timely. I cannot believe the can is allowed to say gluten free. I wonder if they switched their yeast manufacturer recently.
Hi Kate, If you believe this soup made you sick, it is really important to file a complaint with the FDA. Please see https://www.safetyreporting.hhs.gov/SRP2/en/Home.aspx?sid=ddddb869-0beb-4671-9e8c-d269b8a0099b