Why Australian Labels are Different
Australia has some of the strictest gluten-free food labelling laws in the world, governed by FSANZ (Food Standards Australia New Zealand). Unlike the US or UK, the term "Gluten Free" has a legal definition here — which is great news for coeliac families. But there are still plenty of traps to watch for.
Under FSANZ Code Standard 1.2.8, a product labelled "Gluten Free" must contain no detectable gluten — less than 3 parts per million (ppm). This is stricter than most other countries and means Australian "Gluten Free" labels are among the most reliable in the world.
Step-by-Step: Reading Any Label
The highlighted words wheat flour and barley malt extract both contain gluten. If you see these anywhere — put it back on the shelf.
The bold "CONTAINS: Wheat, Oats" line is required by Australian law. Always find this line — it's your clearest signal.
Made in a shared facility with gluten. Even without gluten ingredients, this warning means cross-contamination risk. Avoid for coeliac disease.
Look for "Gluten Free" on the front AND no wheat/barley/rye/oats in ingredients AND ideally the Crossed Grain symbol from Coeliac Australia.
What Each Label Claim Really Means
| Label Says | What It Means | Safe? |
|---|---|---|
| "Gluten Free" | No detectable gluten under FSANZ law (<3ppm). The strictest standard globally. | ✅ Yes |
| "Low Gluten" | Contains ≤200mg gluten per 100g. Still contains gluten. | 🚫 No |
| "May contain gluten" | Shared facility risk. Cross-contamination possible. | ⚠️ Avoid |
| "Wheat free" | No wheat but may contain barley, rye or oats. | 🚫 Not enough |
| Crossed Grain Symbol 🌾 | Certified by Coeliac Australia. Independently tested. | ✅ Yes |
Hidden Gluten — The Sneaky Ones
These ingredients all contain gluten but aren't always obvious. Learn these by heart:
- Wheat, wheat flour, wheat starch
- Barley, barley malt, malt extract
- Rye
- Oats (unless certified GF)
- Triticale, spelt, kamut, durum
- Semolina, couscous, bulgur
- Hydrolysed wheat protein
- Glucose syrup (from wheat)
- Modified starch (check source)
- Caramel colour (from barley)
- Malt vinegar
- Brewer's yeast
- Rice, corn (maize), potato
- Quinoa, buckwheat, millet
- Sorghum, tapioca, arrowroot
- All fresh fruit & vegetables
- Plain meat, fish, poultry, eggs
- Plain dairy (milk, cheese, yoghurt)
- Legumes (plain, tinned)
- Nuts & seeds (plain)
- Oils & vinegars (not malt)
- Sugar, honey, maple syrup
- Tamari (GF soy sauce)
- Cornflour (cornstarch)
Yuka is a barcode scanning app (around $20 AUD subscription) that instantly shows you whether a product is gluten free. Simply scan the barcode in the supermarket aisle and it flags any gluten-containing ingredients immediately. A game-changer for busy parents — available on iPhone and Android.
Pro tip: Use the "Gluten Free" filter in the Woolworths or Coles app when shopping online — it filters to FSANZ-compliant products. But always double-check the label before buying as product formulas can change anytime. 🛒
Want the complete guide?
Our Newly Diagnosed Coeliac Starter Kit covers labels, cross-contamination, school, restaurants, family conversations and more — all tailored for Australian families.