This article talks about the rise of plant-based “meat” options and whether the well-known Impossible Burgers and Beyond Meat are gluten-free. In July 2022, I added information about these brands’ new Beyond Chicken and Impossible Chicken nuggets to this article. This article may contain affiliate links. Please see my disclosures.
I’m always changing what I eat to see what my body needs to stay healthy and feel its best.
There are a lot of “diets” out there, but the most important thing is to find the right one for you.
I recently changed my diet to eat less meat. Mind you, it’s not a meatless diet, it’s a meat-less diet. I still eat meat, just less of it. I did this for two reasons.
Sustainability: One thing that has become clear to me is that making meat is not a sustainable process. The environmental impact of our worldwide palate for meat is grave. Animal agriculture is responsible for 14. 5 percent of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions, uses 29 percent of our freshwater resources, and takes up 80 percent of all land used for farming (both growing feed and grazing surface area).
(2) Health: I wanted to see if cutting meat from my diet would net any health benefits. I got into the habit of eating more meat and less grains after my Whole30 stint last August. I noticed that once I limited my consumption of meat products, my dull stomach aches disappeared. Not the grains or extra vegetables that made my stomach hurt; it was the tough meat that kept my stomach turning over and over.
Impossible Foods has taken the plant-based meat world by storm with its incredibly realistic burger patties that look, cook and taste just like real beef. More recently the company launched its new Impossible Sausage product to appeal to lovers of breakfast meats. This versatile sausage can be shaped into patties or links and used anywhere you’d use traditional pork sausage. But an important question for many diet-conscious consumers is, is Impossible sausage actually gluten free? Let’s find out.
What is Impossible Sausage Made Of?
First, to understand if Impossible sausage contains gluten, you need to know what it’s made from. The key ingredients in Impossible sausage are:
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Soy protein concentrate – This is the main protein source extracted from soybeans It provides a meaty texture,
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Sunflower oil – Adds moisture and fat to mimic meat, Sunflower oil is gluten free
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Natural flavors – Yeast extract, maltodextrin, and cultured dextrose are likely used to replicate savory meaty flavors.
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Spices – Includes salts, herbs, onions, garlic, etc. to season the sausage.
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Potato protein – Extracted from potatoes, another gluten-free ingredient.
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Methylcellulose – A plant-based binder that holds everything together.
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Yeast extract – Often contains some gluten, but may be gluten-free here.
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Vitamins/minerals – Added to create a nutritionally complete product.
So at first glance, it appears the main components of Impossible sausage are gluten-free. But a few ingredients like yeast extract might be questionable depending on their source.
Does Impossible Foods Confirm Their Sausage is Gluten Free?
Luckily, we don’t have to guess whether Impossible sausage contains gluten. Impossible Foods clearly states on their website FAQ that all their products, including the new sausage, are certified gluten-free to less than 20 ppm.
This means that through testing, Impossible Foods has verified that there is no detectable gluten in their sausage at levels above 20 parts per million. This is the accepted cutoff for labeling foods as gluten-free.
So straight from the manufacturer, we can confirm that Impossible sausage contains no gluten and is safe for celiacs and gluten intolerant individuals.
What Do Third-Party Sites Say About Gluten Content?
Popular food allergen and vegan online sources corroborate that Impossible sausage is gluten free:
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VeryWellFit lists it as one of several gluten-free plant-based meat options.
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GlutenFreeWatchdog, which rigorously tests products, says none of Impossible Foods items tested above 20 ppm gluten.
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Multiple vegan and specialty food sites like VegNews and FakeMeats list the sausage as gluten-free.
So all reputable sources are in agreement that Impossible’s products, including their sausage, are certified gluten free and safe for celiac diets.
Does Impossible Sausage Offer Other Allergen-Free Options?
In addition to being gluten-free, Impossible sausage has these other allergen-free certifications:
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Soy-free: The soy protein used is concentrated, so the finished sausage tests free of soy allergens.
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Dairy-free: It contains no milk-derived ingredients.
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Animal product-free: Suitable for vegans, as it uses no meat, dairy, or eggs.
So those with soy allergies, dairy allergies, or vegans can all safely enjoy Impossible sausage. It covers a wide range of dietary needs.
How Is Impossible Sausage Manufactured to Avoid Gluten?
Impossible Foods clearly takes great care to avoid any cross-contamination with gluten-containing grains in their production process. Here are some of the steps they likely follow:
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Sourcing gluten-free ingredients: All ingredients are required to be certified gluten free from trusted suppliers.
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Dedicated equipment: Production lines are completely separate from any wheat-based products.
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Extensive sanitation: All equipment is thoroughly cleaned and sanitized between runs to avoid any residue.
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Testing and audits: Samples are continually tested to verify no gluten. Production is subject to third-party audits.
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Labeling controls: The gluten-free status is clearly indicated on packaging.
Following cGMPs (current good manufacturing practices) and these procedures ensures no gluten sneaks into the final sausage products.
Should You Still Check Labels for Gluten If Buying Impossible Sausage?
It’s always wise to make reading labels a habit if you are gluten-free. You should still check the back of the Impossible sausage package to verify it is labeled gluten-free. This confirms you have an up-to-date version that adheres to the gluten-free protocols.
Also check to see if the sausage was produced in a facility free of gluten and major allergens. This provides added assurance there is no chance of cross-contamination from other products.
Is Fresh or Frozen Impossible Sausage Gluten-Free?
You can find Impossible sausage in both refrigerated and frozen varieties at many grocery stores and restaurants. Both the fresh and frozen sausage options are equally gluten-free and safe for gluten-free diets.
The key is that it’s the same Impossible Foods product inside, simply packaged and shipped differently depending on the distribution method intended. But in all cases, it remains certified gluten-free to under 20 ppm.
Cooking Gluten-Free Impossible Sausage
To keep your Impossible sausage gluten-free, just take care with a couple steps:
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Avoid flour dredging: Don’t dredge in wheat flour when shaping patties or coating for frying. Use cornstarch instead.
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Keep away from gluteny foods: Cook the sausage away from gluten-containing foods to prevent cross-contact.
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Consider designated cookware: Use pans and utensils dedicated to gluten-free cooking only.
As long as you follow basic gluten-free practices, you can cook Impossible sausage like any traditional sausage without worrying about gluten exposure.
Great Gluten-Free Recipes Using Impossible Sausage
Impossible sausage makes an easy direct substitute for traditional pork breakfast sausage recipes. Here are some delicious gluten-free recipes to try:
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Sausage Patties: Simply shape into patties and pan-fry for a classic sandwich option.
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Biscuits and Gravy: Make with your favorite gluten-free biscuit recipe and top with dairy-free roux gravy.
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Sausage Balls: Mix with gluten-free crackers or bread crumbs, roll into balls, and bake.
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Breakfast Casserole: Combine sausage with potatoes, veggies, and gluten-free bread for a hearty casserole.
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Sausage Rolls: Roll out gluten-free pie dough, add sausage down the center, then roll up and bake.
With some easy ingredient swaps, you can now enjoy your favorite sausage dishes gluten-free thanks to revolutionary Impossible sausage!
The Verdict on Impossible Sausage Being Gluten-Free
Based on all evidence directly from the manufacturer and third-party sources, Impossible Foods’ sausage contains no gluten and is certified gluten-free. Both the fresh and frozen varieties are equally safe for gluten-free and celiac diets. Just verify the “gluten-free” label when purchasing. Then you can be confident cooking and enjoying delicious Impossible sausage without any worry of gluten exposure. It provides an amazing plant-based, allergen-friendly option packed with protein and flavor!
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Demand for Plant-Based “Meats”
Demand for plant-based products is growing, and analysts anticipate the market to only continue to soar. In fact, according to Forbes, 17 percent of U.S. consumers eat a mostly plant-based diet; 60 percent say they are reducing their meat intake. This made me realize that I’m not alone – and perhaps even late – to the plant-based, meat-less game.
Unfortunately, as I’ve started eating less meat, I’ve noticed a big problem with gluten-free plant-based proteins: they’re found in a lot of alternative meat products. This is because the fibers in wheat gluten are similar to the fibers in meat products. That’s why gluten is found in a lot of alternative meat products.
Soy protein and pea protein, which are both gluten-free, are used by some plant-based meat alternatives to give their products the right texture. Many plant-based meat alternatives today use wheat gluten. This is where people with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity need to pay close attention to the labels, because as you can see, some products from the same brand have wheat gluten in them while others are certified gluten free.
This article will tell you what plant-based “meat” is gluten-free and what isn’t so you can eat less meat.
Are Beyond Chicken Nuggets Gluten Free?
The Beyond Meat Beyond Chicken Nuggets are NOT gluten-free, even though the Beyond Beef products are.
Beyond Meat, like the Impossible company, has caused a lot of confusion and mistrust in the gluten-free community by selling some products that are definitely not safe for gluten-free people while also selling other products that are.
The company debuted its Beyond Chicken Nuggets in August 2021 in A&W Canada restaurants and has since expanded into grocery stores, KFC and Panda Express.
The breading and breadcrumbs on the Beyond Nuggets are made with wheat flour, and the fake “meat” part of the “chicken” nugget is made with wheat gluten, which is very important for digestion. Those with gluten sensitivity and celiac disease should avoid Beyond Nuggets like the plague!.
Bottom Line: Beyond Chicken products are NOT gluten free.
Impossible Sausage – FTDSOMID
FAQ
Is Impossible Burger celiac safe?
Does plant-based meat have gluten?
What is Impossible Sausage made of?
Is Beyond sausage gluten-free?
Are impossible sausage patties healthy?
Plus, Impossible Sausage Patties, Savory, are packed with 6 grams of protein, 40% less saturated fat than the leading animal sausage patties,* and contain 0mg cholesterol (2.5g saturated fat per serving) and no animal hormones or antibiotics. Available in two delicious flavors: Savory and Spicy.
Is impossible sausage bad for You?
Impossible Sausage has 30% fewer calories, 47% less total fat, and 43% less saturated fat as the leading brand of pork ground sausage when cooked.* What’s more? Impossible Sausage has no animal hormones or antibiotics, nor slaughterhouse contaminants, so you can be sure you’re eating good and eating right.
What is the flavor of impossible sausage?
The Spicy flavor of ground Impossible Sausage and Impossible Sausage Patties is perfect for those who enjoy a little heat in their meat. The ingredients are listed below:
Where can I buy impossible sausage?
Its Impossible sausage, chicken nuggets, pork and meatballs are now available in about 22,000 grocery stores and close to 40,000 restaurants