Is Cheese (Plain and Hard Varieties) Gluten Free?
Coeliac Disease
Plain cheese is safe. Hard cheeses have very low lactose for those also sensitive.
Gluten Sensitivity (NCGS)
Safe for NCGS. Aged cheese may be easier to digest if someone has combined sensitivities.
Why Does Cheese (Plain and Hard Varieties) Not Contain Gluten?
Cheese is made from milk, starter cultures, and rennet. These ingredients don't contain gluten. Some rennet sources may contain additives, but these are negligible.
Australia vs United States
Australia (FSANZ)
FSANZ lists plain cheese as naturally GF. Australian cheesemakers (King Island, Milawa) are GF safe.
United States (FDA)
FDA classifies plain cheese as naturally GF.
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 cheese (plain and hard varieties) brands stack up for gluten content.
| Brand | Region | Gluten Free? | Certification | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mainland Cheese | AU | Yes | None | Plain cheddar, tasty, vintage. Naturally GF. No GF certification but no gluten ingredients. |
| Bega Cheese | AU | Yes | None | Plain block cheddar is GF. Flavoured varieties (jalapeno, etc) check label. |
| Coon Cheese (Cheer) | AU | Yes | None | Recently rebranded to Cheer. Plain tasty and cheddar are GF. |
| Cracker Barrel | AU | Yes | None | Vintage and tasty varieties GF. Check flavoured and smoked variants. |
| Devondale | AU | Yes | None | Block cheese is GF. Slices and shredded similarly. |
| Tilba Real Dairy | AU | Yes | None | NSW South Coast artisan. Naturally GF. |
| Sargento | US | Yes | None | Plain natural cheese is GF. Avoid breaded or coated varieties. |
What to Watch For
Processed cheese slices and spreads may contain additives. Always check flavoured cheese products.
Gluten Free Alternatives
If you need a gluten free substitute, consider: Any other plain hard cheese, goat cheese, feta.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cheese (Plain and Hard Varieties) gluten free?
Hard cheeses like cheddar, parmesan, gruyere, and brie contain only milk, cultures, and salt. No gluten risk. Soft cheeses like brie and camembert are also safe.
Can coeliacs eat cheese (plain and hard varieties)?
Plain cheese is safe. Hard cheeses have very low lactose for those also sensitive.
Related Foods in Dairy
More from RefDat
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, King Island Dairy, Milawa Cheese
Last reviewed: May 2026