Are you gluten-sensitive? sometimes people feel uncomfortable having it in food content, which is why they seek a food free of gluten. people also find gluten-free food that can lead to more energy, weight loss, or improved digestion. it is also trendy these days. If you are considering using or want to know Is Member’s Mark Chicken Broth Gluten-Free? Then you are in the right corner. 

Understanding What Is Gluten and Why Should You Avoid It?

Gluten is a protein complex found in three grains: wheat, barley, rye and their derivatives. It’s what gives bread its chewy texture. But for people with celiac disease (about 1 in 100 globally), gluten sparks an immune reaction that damages the gut. Symptoms range from digestive problems to fatigue, anemia, joint pain, and skin rashes. Roughly 6% of the U.S. population is gluten-sensitive without having celiac disease, and millions more avoid gluten as a lifestyle choice.

Gluten is commonly found in baked goods, pasta, cereals, and beer, but can sneak into unexpected foods through processing, additives, or thickeners. Chicken broth seems safe, but commercial varieties can include hidden gluten from flavorings, yeast extracts, or cross-contact during manufacturing.

Gluten can be hidden in many foods, so it’s important to read labels carefully.

How to Know Gluten Content in Member’s Mark Chicken Broth

While checking a product is gluten-free, the first step is to read the Product label.

Gluten-Free Label

To ensure that a product is hundred percent completely free from gluten, the most reliable way to look for a gluten-free label on the product wrapping. 

Unfortunately, Member’s Mark Chicken Broth has no “gluten-free” label, which means that the product has not been checked and does not fulfill the FDA’s standards for gluten-free products less than 20 PPM (parts per million) of gluten.

Cross-contamination is possible during the formulating process in the facility that also processes gluten-containing foods, even if all the ingredients are gluten-free. A gluten-free label on the product wrapping also helps confirm that cross-contamination risks are minimized.

The Ingredient Breakdown

If the gluten-free label is not present, then the second step is to look at the ingredients in Member’s Mark Chicken Broth. 

• Chicken Broth.
• Sea Salt (contains less than 2%)
• Natural flavors (contains less than 2%)
• Yeast extract (contains less than 2%)
• Carrot juice concentrate (contains less than 2%)
• Onion juice concentrate (contains less than 2%)
• Celery juice concentrate (contains less than 2%)

Nutrition at a glance (per 1-cup serving)

Nutrient	Amount
Calories	10
Protein	1g
Fat	0g
Carbs	0g
Sodium	720mg
Fiber	0g
Sugars	0g

All main ingredients (chicken broth, vegetables, salt) are naturally gluten-free. However, “natural flavors” and “yeast extract” are frequently flagged by gluten-free experts as potential sources of hidden gluten.

Understanding ‘Natural Flavors’ and ‘Yeast Extract’

Natural flavors

are derived from plant or animal sources and used to boost taste. The catch? By U.S. and EU law, they can be produced using barley or wheat derivatives, and manufacturers are NOT required to disclose barley as an allergen on U.S. food labels—only wheat. Thus, there’s a slim but real chance that “natural flavors” in packaged broth could contain gluten unless specifically tested or certified.

Yeast extract

is another tricky ingredient. Pure yeast extract is gluten-free, but if it’s made from beer or barley (as with some European spreads), it will contain gluten. U.S. manufacturers sometimes use yeast extract grown on wheat or barley fermentation leftovers, which can introduce gluten. Most U.S. commercial yeasts are made from sugar beets or molasses and don’t contain gluten, but if you’re highly sensitive, caution is justified unless the product is certified gluten-free.

If a product isn’t labeled “gluten-free,” and it contains “natural flavors” or “yeast extract,” it’s best to check with the manufacturer—or look for an alternative with a third-party gluten-free logo.

What About Allergens? FDA Gluten-Free Labeling Rules

To help consumers, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) implemented strict gluten-free labeling rules in 2014

• To be labeled “gluten-free,” a food must contain <20 parts per million (ppm) gluten.
• This 20 ppm limit is considered safe for the vast majority of those with celiac disease (for context, eating 17 slices of bread each at 20 ppm would still be below a harmful gluten dose).
• Any wheat ingredient must be clearly listed. If “wheat starch” is added, and the product is gluten-free, a special label clarifies “the wheat has been processed to allow this food to meet FDA’s gluten-free standards.”
• Barley and rye do NOT need to be declared as allergens, so they could, in theory, be present in natural flavors.

Crucially, gluten-free labeling is voluntary. If a product is NOT labeled gluten-free, there’s no guarantee it has been tested or meets the FDA’s requirements, even if no gluten ingredients are listed.

Member’s Mark Chicken Broth does NOT bear a gluten-free label or certification. This means it has not been independently tested and verified to contain less than 20 ppm gluten.

Cross-Contamination and Facility Risks

Another factor in gluten safety is cross-contact or contamination. Even if all the listed ingredients are gluten-free, products can pick up gluten in shared manufacturing facilities or during packaging.

• Many chicken broths, including Member’s Mark, are made in large processing plants that also make soups or stocks with wheat, barley, or pasta.
• Current U.S. law does NOT require warning statements such as “made in a facility that also processes wheat.” If you see such a statement, it’s purely voluntary.
• If a product is labeled gluten-free, the risk of cross-contact is lower, as manufacturers test and validate gluten levels.
• For products without a gluten-free label, cross-contact is possible.

What the Manufacturer Says

Member’s Mark does not make a gluten-free claim and does not mention dedicated gluten-free processing lines for their chicken broth.

If you’re exploring Sam’s Club options for your household, you may be interested in reading How to Add a Spouse to Sam’s Club Membership, a helpful guide for sharing membership benefits with your partner.

Third-Party Gluten-Free Certification – What to Look For

Several certification standards provide extra confidence for those on gluten-free diets

Gluten-Free Certification Organization (GFCO)

• Certifies products at ≤10 ppm gluten (stricter than FDA)
• Tests for contamination and validates “natural flavors” and “yeast extract” sources

Celiac Support Association (CSA)

• Certifies to <5 ppm gluten, the strictest standard in the industry
• Requires validated allergen control and reviewed ingredient sourcing

Gluten-Free Food Program (GFFP)

• Endorsed by the National Celiac Association
• Certifies products at <5 ppm gluten and provides visible logos for easy identification in stores.

Member’s Mark Chicken Broth does not carry any third-party gluten-free certification. This is a key difference from leading gluten-free broths like Pacific Foods, Imagine Food, Kitchen Basics, and Walmart’s Great Value, all of which offer gluten-free certified broths.

Globally – Celiac Disease and Gluten Sensitivity Rising

To understand why labeling matters, consider these recent statistics

• 1 in 100 people globally has celiac disease; over 3 million Americans are diagnosed.
• 6% of Americans (nearly 20 million) are gluten-intolerant.
• 23% of Americans regularly shop for gluten-free foods, and up to 80% of processed foods contain gluten, often from hidden sources.
• Celiac disease is significantly underdiagnosed; up to 83% of U.S. cases remain undetected.
• The global gluten-free food market grew to over $7 billion in 2024 and is projected to surpass $13 billion by 2030.
• North America holds the largest gluten-free product market share, yet other countries (like Italy and Finland) have much higher diagnosed celiac rates and strict labeling enforcement.

Gluten-related disorders are on the rise due to better diagnostics, growing public awareness, and increased consumption of ultra-processed foods. For people affected, even trace gluten can mean weeks of illness and long-term digestive damage.

Member’s Mark Chicken Broth – Comparative Gluten-Free Brand Analysis

Here’s how Member’s Mark Chicken Broth compares to other popular chicken broths in terms of gluten-free assurance

Brand	Gluten-Free Labeled?	Third-Party Certification	Natural Flavors/Yeast Source Disclosed?	Facility Info
Member’s Mark	NO	NO	NO	Not specified
Pacific Foods	YES (many products)	Yes (GFCO)	Yes (organic, gluten-free)	Dedicated lines
Imagine	YES (all broths)	Yes (GFCO)	Yes	Dedicated lines
Kitchen Basics	YES (most products)	Yes (GFCO)	Yes	Dedicated lines
Swanson	Mixed (read labels)	Some products	Sometimes	Varies
Great Value	Yes	Yes	Yes	Not always specified

Analysis

Member’s Mark Chicken Broth contains no obvious gluten sources, but with no gluten-free label or certification, it cannot guarantee <20 ppm gluten, nor does it verify the origin of “natural flavors” or “yeast extract.” Competitors with certifications offer greater assurance, especially for those with celiac disease.

Label Reading & Tips for Gluten-Sensitive Shoppers

If you’re gluten-free, use the following label-reading strategies

1. Always look for a gluten-free label or certification. This is the most reliable signal the product has been tested to meet FDA standards.
2. Watch for suspicious ingredients: “natural flavors,” “yeast extract,” “malt extract,” “wheat starch,” “barley malt,” “spices” (rarely include gluten, but check).
3. Contact the brand if the label or website is unclear—ask about suppliers, facility protocols, or gluten testing.
4. Voluntary ‘may contain wheat’ or ‘processed in a facility…’ statements are not regulated for gluten—refer to a “gluten-free” claim, not just a “wheat-free” mention.
5. Homemade is safest. Making broth at home with plain chicken, vegetables, herbs, and salt is always gluten-free if your ingredients are safe and the workspace is uncontaminated.

Consumer tip

For celiac disease or high sensitivity, choose a chicken broth with a GFCO or CSA logo.

Key Market Trends – The Gluten-Free Boom

Gluten-free products are one of the fastest-rising sectors in food, driven by health concerns, diagnosis rates, and a public perception of gluten-free foods as healthier, lighter, and easier to digest.

• From 2018–2022: Global demand for gluten-free products rose 16%.
• Market growth: The gluten-free prepared foods market is forecast to reach over $12 billion by 2030.
• Top products: Snacks, bread, bakery goods, and ready meals dominate the gluten-free market.
• Online sales: Fastest growing sales channel due to convenience and increased variety.
• Cost: Gluten-free foods generally cost 150–500% more than their gluten-containing counterparts.

Final Verdict

Up to 95% of the ingredients inside Member’s Mark Chicken Broth have no gluten, but 5% of ingredients such as natural flavors or yeast extract may have hidden gluten content. But there is no label of gluten-free on the product packaging.  This means that the product does not fulfill the FDA’s standards of gluten-free.

FAQs

Does Member’s Mark Chicken Broth have wheat in it?

No wheat or wheat derivatives are listed, but it is not tested for gluten nor does it have a gluten-free label.

Are “Natural Flavors” or “Yeast Extract” in the Broth Gluten-Free?

They are likely gluten-free in most U.S. broths, but the source is not specified, and these can contain hidden gluten, especially if sourced from barley.

Can I Trust “Wheat-Free” to mean Gluten-Free?

No. Gluten can come from barley or rye as well. Only a “gluten-free” or certified gluten-free label is a reliable guarantee.

Should I be Concerned about Cross-Contamination?

Yes, especially for celiac disease. No evidence of dedicated gluten-free facilities is given for Member’s Mark Chicken Broth.

Are there Comparable Gluten-Free Chicken Broth Brands?

Yes—Pacific Foods, Imagine Foods, Kitchen Basics, Walmart’s Great Value, and others offer labeled, often certified, gluten-free broths.