Is Honeysuckle Turkey Gluten Free?

Gluten-free diets are becoming increasingly popular, not just for those with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity but also for people looking to eat healthier or avoid certain allergens. With more consumers asking questions about gluten in their food, there has been some confusion around whether popular turkey brands like Honeysuckle White contain gluten or not. This article takes an in-depth look at Honeysuckle turkey and gluten, examining the facts to provide a clear answer.

An Overview of Gluten

Before diving into the specifics on Honeysuckle turkey, it’s helpful to understand what gluten is. Gluten is a general name for the proteins found in wheat, rye, and barley. It acts as a glue that helps foods maintain their shape, acting as a binding agent. For most people, consuming gluten is not an issue. However, for those with celiac disease or non-celiac gluten sensitivity, gluten triggers an abnormal immune response that causes damage to the small intestine. This can lead to symptoms like diarrhea, bloating, fatigue, and nutritional deficiencies if gluten is consumed.

For people with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity, following a strict gluten-free diet by avoiding all foods and products containing gluten from wheat, rye, and barley is essential. With gluten lurking in many unexpected foods asking questions about specific brands and products is important.

What is Honeysuckle White Turkey?

Honeysuckle White is one of the most popular and well-known turkey brands sold in American supermarkets. Established in 1940, the Honeysuckle White brand specializes in premium whole turkeys, turkey breasts, ground turkey, turkey sausage, deli meat, and other turkey-based foods. Their turkeys are minimally processed with no added hormones, steroids or preservatives.

Honeysuckle White turkeys are raised on family farms in the Midwest before being processed under the Honeysuckle White brand and distributed nationwide to stores. In 2021 alone, they produced 74 million pounds of turkey. Their wide reach and popularity make Honeysuckle White a go-to turkey option for many households during holidays like Thanksgiving and Christmas when turkey is often the centerpiece.

Is Honeysuckle Turkey Gluten-Free?

The straightforward answer is yes – Honeysuckle White turkey is gluten-free. According to their website and customer service team, all Honeysuckle turkey products do not contain any gluten ingredients. This includes their

• Whole turkeys
• Turkey breasts
• Ground turkey
• Turkey burgers
• Turkey sausage products
• Deli turkey slices

Independent organizations like Celiac.com and popular chef’s websites also confirm the gluten-free status of Honeysuckle turkey based on consumer experiences and feedback. On Celiac.com forums, customers with celiac disease report eating Honeysuckle turkeys with no issues.

The only exception is a few select Honeysuckle White products that do contain gluten from soy sauce or wheat-based marinades. This includes their teriyaki turkey, Asian grilled turkey, and Italian-style turkey meatballs. But the vast majority of their standard turkey products are made in a gluten-free facility and free of any gluten ingredients.

How Honeysuckle Keeps Their Turkeys Gluten Free

Honeysuckle White puts stringent processes in place to ensure their turkeys remain 100% gluten-free from farm to table:

• The turkeys are raised on a gluten-free diet without any exposure to gluten-containing feeds, supplements, medications or environmental contaminants.

• The processing facilities and equipment used to handle the raw turkeys are thoroughly cleaned to avoid cross-contact with gluten.

• Ingredients used in marinades, rubs or injections for value-added products are verified to be gluten-free.

• Random product testing is conducted to validate there is no detectable gluten.

• Employees follow allergen control procedures when working with the turkeys.

• Clear labeling indicates allergen information and gluten-free status.

Following these processes from start to finish allows Honeysuckle White to confidently provide safe, gluten-free options to consumers who need them.

Are Other Turkey Brands Gluten-Free Too?

While Honeysuckle White is a trusted gluten-free brand, they are not alone in the market of gluten-free turkeys. Other major brands like Jennie-O, Cargill, Butterball, Shady Brook Farms, and Norbest turkey also explicitly state that their plain whole turkeys and turkey breasts are gluten-free. Like Honeysuckle, they use strict allergen preventative measures in their facilities and do not add any gluten-containing ingredients to the raw meat.

It’s primarily the enhanced turkey products, like those with marinades, rubs or sauces, that may contain gluten from wheat, soy sauce, thickening agents, etc. But the plain whole turkey or breast sold around the holidays by most major brands are reliably gluten-free based on their production methods. Checking labels or contacting the manufacturer can offer added assurance.

The Takeaway on Honeysuckle Turkey & Gluten

When it comes to eating turkey for your holiday meals or weekly dinners, Honeysuckle White provides a safe gluten-free option. Their whole turkeys, turkey breasts, ground turkey, deli meats, sausage, and other core products are free of gluten ingredients and produced in facilities that follow strict allergen control procedures. This allows those with celiac disease or sensitivities to enjoy Honeysuckle turkey without fear of exposure to the problematic gluten protein.

While verifying gluten-free claims is always advised, Honeysuckle turkey has a reputation for making high-quality, gluten-free products based on their facilities, procedures, and customer experiences. As gluten-free diets continue rising in popularity, Honeysuckle White offers trustworthy options for those seeking turkey without gluten.