If you have celiac disease and you have low levels of say, folate or B12 in your body based on blood work, your doctor may recommend that you take folate and B12 or B Complex supplements to bring your levels into the normal range. You wonder, “Do supplements have gluten in them or are they gluten free?” Here is the scoop. Just like packaged foods, supplements fall under the FDA gluten-free labeling regulations. If a manufacturer uses the “gluten free” label, gluten levels in supplements are under 20 ppm. There are also third-party organizations that certify gluten levels are below 20 ppm in foods and supplements or certify gluten levels are at a lower threshold such as 5 or 10 ppm. Here are a few of these organizations: GFCO [program under Gluten Intolerance Group (GIG)], National Celiac Association, and Beyond Celiac.
Additionally, if any supplement or food has wheat as an ingredient, it must be noted as such on the package per the FDA allergen label regulation. The allergen label law is separate from the gluten-free label law. Per the FDA allergen regulation, if any food or supplement has fish, shellfish, peanuts, tree nuts, milk, wheat, soy, eggs, and sesame in it, the package must have a label indicating that particular allergen or those allergens.
To wrap it up, read the ingredient list to make sure no wheat is in the product and look for gluten free or certified gluten free label.