Yes, many Real Good Foods items are labeled gluten-free; skip tortilla meals and always verify the package label for the latest allergen info.
Shopping the freezer aisle gets easier when you know which boxes fit a gluten-free plate. This guide explains how Real Good Foods handles gluten, which items to pick, which ones to skip, and how to read labels with confidence. You’ll find quick tables, clear steps, and practical tips drawn from brand statements and U.S. labeling rules.
Are Real Good Foods Gluten-Free? Brand Overview
The brand markets many items as grain-free and gluten-free. That includes popular breaded chicken lines and several protein-forward entrees. One group stands apart: meals built on a wheat tortilla. The company states that enchiladas, burritos, flautas, and quesadillas fall into that bucket. Everything else should be reviewed on the back panel every time you shop, since recipes and facilities can change. In short, the path is simple: pick the gluten-free lines, avoid tortilla-based meals, and always scan the ingredients and allergen box.
Quick Product Status Table
This at-a-glance list helps you make fast choices. It reflects the brand’s own guidance about tortillas and its labeling across core lines. Always confirm with the current package in your hand.
| Category | Gluten Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Breaded Chicken (Nuggets, Strips, Chunks) | Gluten-Free | Labeled gluten & grain free; check each ingredients statement. |
| Meatballs (Chicken) | Gluten-Free* | Scan the allergen box; confirm binders in the current batch. |
| Stuffed Chicken / Entrées Without Tortillas | Gluten-Free* | Review the nutrition panel for starches or crumbs. |
| Pizza Bowls / Crust-Free Bowls | Gluten-Free* | Look for any wheat-derived thickeners. |
| Enchiladas (With Tortillas) | Contains Gluten | Wheat tortillas place these outside gluten-free eating. |
| Burritos (With Tortillas) | Contains Gluten | Same issue as enchiladas; choose a bowl instead. |
| Flautas & Quesadillas (With Tortillas) | Contains Gluten | Skip these if you avoid gluten. |
| Limited Store Exclusives | Varies | Always read the newest label; club items can differ. |
| Seasonal / New Drops | Varies | Don’t assume; confirm gluten-free wording on pack. |
*“Gluten-Free” depends on the current recipe and facility controls. Check the ingredients list and allergen statement on each box you buy.
How Gluten-Free Labeling Works In The U.S.
On U.S. retail food, “gluten-free” has a legal meaning. The FDA allows the claim when any unavoidable gluten is below 20 parts per million and the product contains no wheat, rye, barley, or their crossbreeds as ingredients. You’ll also see “no gluten,” “free of gluten,” or “without gluten,” which carry the same legal bar. If a package uses one of these terms, it’s claiming compliance with that standard.
Why it matters: people with celiac disease rely on that threshold. It’s a tiny amount, and enforcement depends on validated test methods. When a label says “gluten-free,” it signals a specific ceiling and a defined list of prohibited sources. You still need to read the box, since claims can vary line-to-line inside the same brand.
Want the exact rule? See the FDA’s page on gluten and food labeling, and the Celiac Disease Foundation’s plain-language explainer on the < 20 ppm standard.
Reading The Box: What To Check Before You Buy
Front Claims
Look for “gluten-free” on the front. Some Real Good Foods boxes add “grain free,” which simply reinforces the absence of wheat-based flours. If the front panel is silent, flip to the back.
Ingredients & Allergen Box
Scan for wheat on the allergen line. Then read the full list for wheat-based crumbs, binders, or tortillas. Tortilla-based meals list wheat plainly. For other lines, look for starches and coatings that could come from wheat; many are made from alternatives, so the allergen box plus the “gluten-free” claim together tell the story.
Cross-Contact Notes
Brands that run both wheat and non-wheat items often describe cleaning steps and sanitation between runs. Real Good Foods notes equipment cleaning in its FAQ. That kind of statement helps you gauge how lines are managed.
Close Variant: Real Good Foods Gluten Free Products — What The Label Means
When you see a Real Good Foods box that states “gluten-free,” it’s signaling compliance with the U.S. threshold. That means a lab-enforceable ceiling and no wheat-derived ingredients. The wording “no gluten” or “free of gluten” means the same thing under the rule. If a label lists a wheat tortilla, you’re not in gluten-free territory.
Picking Safely: A Simple Three-Step Plan
Step 1: Start With The Category
Bowls, stuffed chicken, meatballs, and breaded chicken are your best starting points. Tortilla-based meals don’t fit a gluten-free plan. Store-exclusive items need a label check each time.
Step 2: Confirm The Words
Find “gluten-free” on the front or side. If it’s not there, move to the next box. When the claim is present, read the back panel to confirm the allergen line and any grain-free notes.
Step 3: Recheck Before Each Restock
Recipes change. Vendors change. Club-size items may differ from grocery versions. Make a quick check part of your routine so your cart always matches your needs.
Are Real Good Foods Gluten-Free? Practical Scenarios
Weeknight Dinner Rush
You want fast protein and a short ingredient list. Breaded chicken labeled gluten-free fits that slot. Pair with salad or frozen veggies and you’re set.
Desk Lunch
Pizza bowls and other crust-free options heat well and skip the tortilla. Keep one at work for a steady backup plan.
Club Store Run
Large bags sometimes launch as limited runs. The label still rules. If the front says gluten-free and the allergen box confirms no wheat, you’re good to go.
Label Terms Cheat Sheet
Use this compact table during a store run. It lines up common terms with what they tell you about gluten.
| Term On Pack | What It Signals | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Gluten-Free | Meets the U.S. < 20 ppm standard; no wheat, rye, barley ingredients. | Green light; still read the allergen box. |
| No Gluten / Free Of Gluten / Without Gluten | Same legal meaning as “gluten-free.” | Treat as equivalent to gluten-free. |
| Grain Free | No grains used; not a legal gluten claim by itself. | Look for a gluten-free claim as well. |
| Tortilla | Wheat-based carrier in this brand’s tortilla meals. | Skip if you avoid gluten. |
| Modified Food Starch | Can be from corn, potato, or wheat. | Check allergen line and claim. |
| Breading / Coating | May be made from non-wheat flours in gluten-free lines. | Confirm “gluten-free” on the box. |
| Cross-Contact Statement | Signals cleaning and sanitation practices between runs. | Reinforces trust in the claim. |
| Club-Exclusive / Limited | Specs can differ from standard boxes. | Recheck every time you buy. |
| New Recipe | Ingredients may have changed. | Review the allergen line again. |
| Serving Suggestions | Shown sides may contain gluten. | Only judge the food inside the box. |
Brand Statements You Should Know
The company’s FAQ states that all foods are gluten-free except meals with a tortilla, naming enchiladas, burritos, flautas, and quesadillas. Several breaded chicken pages note “gluten and grain free” and ask buyers to review each ingredient statement. Those notes line up with the guidance in this article: pick the labeled gluten-free lines and avoid tortilla-based meals.
Smart Shopping Tips For Real Good Foods
Use Category Shortcuts
Grab gluten-free breaded chicken or bowls for quick wins. Treat any tortilla-based meal as a no-go.
Read Beyond The Buzzwords
“Grain free” is helpful, but it’s not the legal claim. The gluten-free wording is the anchor. If it’s missing, set the box back.
Think Batch-To-Batch
Labels reflect the current run. When you change stores, switch sizes, or try a club pack, do a fresh read.
Final Take: Can You Trust The Label Here?
Yes. When a Real Good Foods box says “gluten-free,” it’s aligning with the FDA’s rule and the industry test threshold. The one steady exception is tortilla meals, which contain wheat. If you keep that split in mind and make a habit of reading the allergen box, you can stock your freezer with ease. If you’re asking are real good foods gluten-free as a brand promise, the cleanest answer is that many items are, while tortilla-based meals are not.
Bottom Line For Shoppers
Use the two checks that never fail: category and claim. Favor gluten-free breaded chicken, bowls, and non-tortilla entrees. Skip enchiladas, burritos, flautas, and quesadillas. Read the ingredients and allergen line each time. If you follow that pattern, you’ll shop faster and eat with confidence. And yes, if a friend texts, “are real good foods gluten-free,” you can share this simple rule: many are, tortilla meals are not, and the label decides.