Transparency & Trust: Clarifying the Gluten-Free Status of Alter Eco’s Burnt Caramel Bar

At Alter Eco, we believe in honest, responsible food – products that are not only good for you but also the planet made with the upmost integrity. That means prioritizing sustainability, ethical sourcing and transparency at every step. Our customers are at the heart of everything we do, and we deeply value the trust you place in us.

Recently, we have received some questions regarding the gluten-free certification for our Burnt Caramel chocolate bar, and why the ingredient panel and allergen statement now declare wheat. We would like to take a moment to clear up any confusion and reaffirm our commitment to your health and wellbeing.

We want to reassure our customers that nothing has changed in terms of safety – the Burnt Caramel bar remains certified gluten-free and continues to meet the strictest standards for those with Celiac disease and other gluten-related sensitivities.

Why is Wheat on the Label?

This change happened in 2024 with our chocolatier in Switzerland because of an ingredient supplier change. The salted caramel granulate composite ingredient in the bar has always had organic glucose syrup as a sub-ingredient. Now after the supplier change, the organic glucose syrup is derived from wheat. Due to labeling regulations, wheat must be declared in the ingredient list and allergen statement.

The % of this glucose syrup sub-ingredient in the Burnt Caramel bar is very low and is still considered safe even when it is derived from wheat because of how glucose syrup is manufactured.

For more details on this topic, we recommend checking out this resource from the National Celiac Association:

👉 National Celiac Association – Glucose Syrup & Gluten-Free Certification

 What is the Difference Between Wheat & Gluten?

·       Wheat is a common cereal grain used to make flour for goods like pasta, bread and other baked goods. Wheat is considered an allergen and must be labeled clearly on packaging for those individuals that have a wheat allergy.

·       Gluten is a group of specific proteins (such as gliadin and glutenin) found in grains, including wheat, barley, rye, and their hybrids. Those individuals with Celiac disease and non-Celiac gluten sensitivity need to avoid gluten in their diet, as it can trigger an autoimmune response that damages the small intestine for those with Celiac and can cause digestive discomfort and other symptoms for those with non-Celiac gluten sensitivity.

The Alter Eco team worked very closely with our gluten-free certifier, the Gluten-Free Food Program (GFFP), before this ingredient transition took place to ensure that the product remained fully compliant with their standards. GFFP is also endorsed by the National Celiac Association. As a result, the Burnt Caramel bar is still certified gluten-free by GFFP even with the declaration of wheat. You can find the updated listing on the GFFP website here:
👉 GFFP Certified Products – Alter Eco

Certified Gluten-Free – What Does That Mean?

Our Burnt Caramel bar is certified as gluten-free, meaning it meets rigorous industry standards that ensure it is safe for people with Celiac and other gluten sensitivities.

For a product to be considered gluten-free in the United States, per the FDA requirements a product must contain less than 20 parts per million (ppm) of gluten. Alter Eco however goes above and beyond this, and our certified gluten-free products adhere to GFFP’s standard of less than 5 ppm gluten. This is well below the level considered safe for individuals with gluten sensitivity.

Sustainability, Fairness, & Responsibility – Our Commitment to You

At Alter Eco, we are committed to fairness, sustainability, and doing what’s right—whether it’s ethically sourcing ingredients, minimizing our environmental impact, or upholding the highest safety and quality standards. That’s why we create The Cleanest, Greenest Snacks on Earth™, never compromising our values or our customers’ health.

Thank You for Your Support & Trust

We are so grateful for our community of conscious consumers who care about what they put into their bodies and how their choices impact the world. Your trust means everything to us, and we are committed to keeping you informed every step of the way.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out – we are always happy to chat.

With gratitude and integrity,

Alter Eco Foods