Oats and the Gluten Free Life – Friend or Foe?

For many living gluten free, whether due to coeliac disease, an allergy, or intolerance, oats are a tricky topic. They often spark confusion and for good reason.

Let’s break it down.

Are oats gluten free?

Yes… and no.

Oats are naturally gluten free. But in the UK and many other places, the way oats are farmed and processed means they’re commonly contaminated with gluten-containing cereals like wheat, barley, and rye. This cross-contamination can happen during harvesting, milling, packaging, even storage.

That’s why only oats that are certified gluten free are considered safe for people with coeliac disease.

But even certified gluten free oats can cause problems for some. A small percentage of people with coeliac disease still react to avenin, the protein in oats that’s similar to gluten.

Have you been affected?

We’ve noticed a rise in “free from” products that now contain gluten free oats, everything from snack bars and cookies to cereals and breads. And while that works for many, it’s left others scrambling to find truly oat-free options.

We want to hear from you:

Have you had a reaction to gluten free oats?

Has the shift toward oat-heavy recipes made it harder for you to find safe foods?

At The Gluten Free World, we believe everyone deserves to feel safe and included.

That’s why we’re proud to say:

We can bake oat free!

Whether you’re oat-intolerant or just prefer to avoid them, we’ve got options that don’t compromise on taste or safety.

Because living gluten free should never mean living in fear.

Let’s keep the conversation going, drop us a comment or message to share your oat experience!