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Panera Bread’s savory turkey chili has long been a go-to order for many customers. This hearty soup features tender turkey, beans, and Panera’s signature spice mix for a satisfying warm meal. However, for gluten-sensitive diners, an important question arises – is Panera’s turkey chili actually gluten-free? Let’s take a close look at the ingredients and preparation to find out.
What is Gluten and Why is it Problematic?
Gluten refers to proteins found in certain cereal grains like wheat, barley, and rye. For most people, gluten poses no issues. But for those with celiac disease or non-celiac gluten sensitivity, exposure to these proteins can trigger severe digestive problems and other health issues. As gluten lurks widely in foods, following a strict gluten-free diet is the only treatment.
This makes it critical for gluten-sensitive diners to confirm dishes like Panera’s turkey chili have no exposure to problematic grains or ingredients derived from them. Traces of gluten can trigger unpleasant symptoms.
Examining Panera’s Stance on Gluten-Free Offerings
Panera recognizes the importance of accommodating special diets and lists detailed information about the gluten content of menu items on their website. They summarize their approach with the statement:
“Panera’s chefs work diligently to ensure our food meets the highest standards Most of our food does not contain gluten as a natural result of the recipes”
For items with gluten-containing ingredients they call out the specific wheat barley or rye components. Panera stresses the care they take to avoid cross-contact for naturally gluten-free items. They also offer many certified gluten-free products, noting the certification status on menus.
Looking at the Turkey Chili Ingredients
So where does the turkey chili stand? The ingredients list reveals:
- Turkey: gluten-free
- Pinto beans: gluten-free
- Water: gluten-free
- Tomatoes: gluten-free
- Spices: typically gluten-free
- Cornstarch: gluten-free
Two potential flags – hydrolyzed soy protein and modified food starch – appear
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