Are Oats Gluten Free?
Gluten verdict for Oats: Not Gluten Free
Not gluten free in Australia.
Rated against the stricter of the two standards. Compare AU and US rules
Oats contain avenin, a prolamin different from the gluten in wheat, barley and rye. Most people with coeliac disease tolerate pure, uncontaminated oats, and fewer than 5 to 10 percent react to avenin itself, but there is no test to predict who will react, and standard oats are commonly contaminated with wheat and barley. Australia has no provision to label any oats gluten free, even uncontaminated ones, so no oats carry a gluten free claim here.
Coeliac Disease
No oats can be labelled gluten free in Australia. Coeliac Australia recommends discussing pure, uncontaminated oats with your medical team before trying them, and monitoring closely. Do not assume standard oats are safe.
Gluten Sensitivity (NCGS)
Most people with NCGS tolerate pure oats, but no oats can be labelled gluten free in Australia.
Why Do Oats Contain Gluten?
Oats contain avenin, and in Australia no oats can be labelled gluten free, so they are not gluten free here.
Australia vs United States
Australia (FSANZ)
Australian food law has no provision to label any oats gluten free, even uncontaminated ones, so oats cannot carry a gluten free claim here (FSANZ Standard 1.2.7). Coeliac Australia recommends an individualised, medically supervised approach.
United States (FDA)
The US FDA permits oats in gluten free foods if tested below 20 ppm, so certified gluten free oats are sold there and are tolerated by most people with coeliac disease.
Nutrition Information
Source: USDA FDC. Values are for the generic food in its standard form. Branded products may vary. Always check the product label for the most accurate nutrition information.
Brand Comparison
Not all brands are created equal. Here is how popular oats brands stack up for gluten content. Brand recipes change, so always confirm against the current label; the last verified date shows when we last checked.
| Brand | Region | Gluten Free? | Certification | Notes | Last verified |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Uncle Tobys | AU | Check | None | Regular oats contaminated; certified GF range available | 2026-04-27 |
| Quaker | both | Check | None | Regular oats not GF; specific GF certified product available | 2026-04-27 |
| Bob's Red Mill GF | US | Yes | GFCO certified | Dedicated gluten-free certified oats | 2026-04-27 |
| Gloriously Free | AU | Yes | None | Australian certified gluten-free oats | 2026-04-27 |
| Freedom Foods | AU | Yes | None | Organically certified gluten-free oats | 2026-04-27 |
| Nature's Path | US | Yes | None | Canadian company with certified GF oats | 2026-04-27 |
What to Watch For
All oats and oat products. Standard oats are commonly contaminated with wheat and barley, and no oats can be labelled gluten free in Australia.
Gluten Free Alternatives
If you need a gluten free substitute, consider: Certified gluten-free oats brands (Freedom Foods, Macro Organics), buckwheat, rice, quinoa.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Oats gluten free?
Oats contain avenin, a prolamin different from the gluten in wheat, barley and rye. Most people with coeliac disease tolerate pure, uncontaminated oats, and fewer than 5 to 10 percent react to avenin itself, but there is no test to predict who will react, and standard oats are commonly contaminated with wheat and barley. Australia has no provision to label any oats gluten free, even uncontaminated ones, so no oats carry a gluten free claim here.
Can coeliacs eat oats?
No oats can be labelled gluten free in Australia. Coeliac Australia recommends discussing pure, uncontaminated oats with your medical team before trying them, and monitoring closely. Do not assume standard oats are safe.
Related Foods in Grains and Cereals
More from RefDat
Looking for kitchen gear that handles gluten-free cooking? See RefDat's Australian reviews of rice cookers for coeliac-friendly options. Explore more reference data at refdat.com.
How We Verify This
Every food in our database is reviewed against current FSANZ and FDA gluten-free standards. Brand data is verified against manufacturer labelling. We cross-reference with Coeliac Australia ingredient lists and the USDA FoodData Central database. When Australian and US standards differ, we apply the stricter standard.
Sources
FSANZ Standard 1.2.7, Coeliac Australia
Last reviewed: July 2026