Is Milo Gluten Free?
Coeliac Disease
Avoid Milo entirely. There is no gluten free version available in Australia. Coeliac Australia lists Milo as containing gluten. Even small amounts of barley malt extract are enough to trigger an autoimmune response in people with coeliac disease.
Gluten Sensitivity (NCGS)
Avoid Milo for the same reason: barley malt extract plus wheaten cornflour. Some people with non-coeliac gluten sensitivity tolerate small amounts of barley malt better than wheat, but the AU Milo formulation contains both, so there's no safe threshold.
Why Does Milo Contain Gluten?
Milo's signature malty flavour comes from barley malt extract, which is produced from sprouted barley grain. Barley is one of the three primary gluten-containing grains under FSANZ Standard 1.2.8 (alongside wheat and rye). The Australian formulation also includes wheaten cornflour as a flow agent, which adds a second wheat-derived gluten source. The cocoa, milk solids, sugar, and added vitamins and minerals are gluten free on their own, but the finished product is not.
Australia vs United States
Australia (FSANZ)
FSANZ Standard 1.2.8 requires gluten-containing grains to be declared in the allergen statement. Australian Milo declares both barley and wheat. The Nestle AU product page does not market Milo as gluten free. Coeliac Australia's ingredient list classifies barley malt extract as a gluten-containing ingredient regardless of how it's processed.
United States (FDA)
Milo is primarily an Australian, New Zealand, and Asia-Pacific product. The US-distributed version (where available, often via specialty importers) carries the same barley malt extract base. Under the FDA's gluten-free labelling rule (under 20 ppm), Milo cannot be labelled gluten free. It also does not carry a gluten free certification mark in any market.
Nutrition Information
Source: AFCD. 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 milo brands stack up for gluten content.
| Brand | Region | Gluten Free? | Certification | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nestle Milo (Original) | AU | No | None | Contains barley malt extract (8.4%) and wheaten cornflour (5.2%). Not GF. |
| Nestle Milo Cereal | AU | No | None | Breakfast cereal version. Wheat and malt-based. Not GF. |
| Nestle Milo Snack Bar | AU | No | None | Bar form contains wheat and malt. Not GF. |
| Nestle Milo (US import) | US | No | None | Same base formulation as AU. Available via specialty importers. |
What to Watch For
Barley malt extract is the main gluten source. Wheaten cornflour adds a second. Don't confuse Milo with cocoa powder, which is naturally gluten free. Read the back-of-pack ingredients on every Nestle chocolate-drink product, because formulations differ between Milo, Nesquik, and regional variants. The Milo cereal (the breakfast cereal version sold in AU and NZ) also contains malt and wheat. Some online claims about a gluten free Milo formulation refer to other markets, not Australia.
Gluten Free Alternatives
If you need a gluten free substitute, consider: Nesquik Chocolate (Nestle, GF-labelled in AU), Cadbury Bournvita (UK formulation contains malt so check the label), plain cocoa powder with milk and sugar to taste, Avalanche drinking chocolate, Lindt drinking chocolate, Pana Organic drinking chocolate. For a malted flavour without barley, try Pure Harvest Mighty Mylk malt-free chocolate alternative..
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Milo gluten free?
Australian Milo (the Nestle malted drink powder) lists barley malt extract at 8.4 percent and wheaten cornflour at 5.2 percent of the formulation. Both are gluten-containing ingredients. Coeliac Australia explicitly classifies Milo as not gluten free. There is no gluten free Milo available in Australia. Adding it to hot or cold milk doesn't change that.
Can coeliacs eat milo?
Avoid Milo entirely. There is no gluten free version available in Australia. Coeliac Australia lists Milo as containing gluten. Even small amounts of barley malt extract are enough to trigger an autoimmune response in people with coeliac disease.
Related Foods in Drinks
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
Nestle Australia Milo product information, Coeliac Australia ingredient list, FSANZ Standard 1.2.8, FDA gluten-free labelling final rule
Last reviewed: May 2026