Sainsbury's

🛒 Sainsbury's Gluten Free Range

Sainsbury’s Free From range has recently undergone a rebrand, with Free From packaging now switching to a fresh blue design. Alongside this, the layout of Free From sections is being updated in stores across the UK to make it easier to find everything in one place. Sainsbury’s has also started entering some of its own-brand Free From products into the Free From Food Awards - look out for the FFFA logo on packaging to spot favourites picked by the gluten free community!

Unfortunately, Sainsbury's recently increased the price of their gluten free pasta, meaning it no longer price matches the standard gluten containing version - a shame, but fingers crossed for a future rethink.

🔍 Free From Sections

🚪 Cupboard

The Free From aisle at Sainsbury’s is packed with own-brand products and an ever expanding range of branded partners. You’ll find some unique brands here, such as White Rabbit and Too Good to be Gluten Free, which are exclusive to Sainsbury’s or in limited stores. Whilst the Free From aisle varies by location, you’ll easily have access to a substantial gluten free section at Sainsbury’s, and probably spot new products thanks to the newly introduced format they're rolling out, combining all Free From areas in one aisle.

Within the aisle, you'll find a mix of well-known gluten free brands, plus Sainsbury's own-label options, covering the likes of:

• 🍝 Pasta & spaghetti
• 🍞 Bread & rolls
• 🍰 Cakes & desserts
• 🥐 Pastries
• 🍚 Flour & home baking items
• 🥣 Cereal & bars
• 🍫 Sweet Treats
• 🥫 Sauces & Condiments
• 🍺 Beer

🗄️ Chilled

Unlike some other supermarkets, Sainsbury's chilled gluten free range is usually confined to one area and in some stores, it sits alongside the Free From cupboard and freezer sections. Sainsbury's have quite a few own-brand and branded gluten free chilled items, some exclusive to Sainsbury's, as well as dairy free products.

• 🍕 Pizza & garlic bread
• 🥧 Pies & pastries
• 🍝 Fresh pasta & gnocchi
• 🍮 Desserts

❄️ Frozen

In the frozen aisle, (or within the Free From aisle if the store has combined the cupboard and frozen areas) you'll usually find a dedicated Free From freezer section - though it’s worth noting that this is often placed alongside or even within the plant-based section, which can make shopping a bit confusing. Always double-check the labels, especially in mixed sections, and remember that vegan and gluten free are not the same thing! Frozen gluten free items usually include:

• 🍕 Pizza
• 🍗 Breaded products
• 🧆 Party Food
• 🥧 Pies
• 🍨 Desserts

🥪 Gluten Free Meal Deals

Sainsbury’s offers a couple of gluten free sandwiches in the meal deal, including a chicken mayo and a vegetarian option of egg and cress. However, options for a gluten free Sainsbury’s meal deal are somewhat limited if you’re not happy with the sandwich choice. All of their sushi comes with a packet of soy sauce, which is not gluten free, and other varieties contain ingredients like hoisin sauce, which also contains gluten so it’s essential to check the packaging rather than relying on removing the soy sauce. There are a few salads suitable for a gluten free diet, but unfortunately, the vast majority of salad options contain pasta or croutons. 

❗ Always double-check labels, particularly on meal deals, as availability and ingredients can vary.

🏪 Smaller Stores

Even Sainsbury's Local and smaller stores stock a mini Free From section with cupboard staples like gluten free pasta, flour, and cereal. It won't match the range of a large Sainsbury's store, but it's often enough to grab the essentials - especially handy after larger stores close on Sundays!

⚠️ Not Everything Free From = Gluten Free

This is something that trips up even seasoned shoppers: not everything in the Free From aisle is gluten free. Sainsbury's Free From label is an umbrella term that includes products catering to a wide range of dietary requirements - including dairy free, egg free and nut free. The majority of products in the Free From aisle are free from gluten (as well as other allergies), but don't get caught out buying something that's actually just dairy free, and not also gluten free.

✌🏻 Naturally Gluten Free Products

On that note, like all supermarkets, Sainsbury's carries hundreds of products that are gluten free by default so you don't need to buy something within the Free From aisle just because it's there - you can find a safe, gluten free product outside of the Free From aisle which is usually cheaper.

A good example? Pesto. You might spot it in the Free From section and assume it’s the one to go for, but standard pesto is usually gluten free. The version in the Free From aisle is more likely there because it’s dairy free (no parmesan) or nut free (no pine nuts).

Knowing what doesn't need to be bought from the Free From section can save you money and open up a whole new world of safe, naturally gluten free products.

Keep an eye out for the usual suspects: no BROW (Barley, Rye, Oats, Wheat), and no 'may contain' warnings if you have coeliac disease.

👉🏽 For a refresher on how to read labels and ingredient lists, click here

👉🏽 Tips on shopping outside of the Free From aisle and how you can save money

💙 Our Favourite Free From Sainsbury's Products

• 🤩 Sainsbury's Free From Cous Cous
• 🤩 Sainsbury's Free From Tiger Rolls, Taste the Difference
• 🤩 Sainsbury's Free From Tomato & Mozzarella Arancini Balls
• 🤩 Sainsbury's Free From Chocolate Cake Bars x4
• 🤩 Sainsbury's Half Coated Viennese Fingers

🧡 Our Favourite Naturally Gluten Free Sainsbury's Products

• 🤩 Sainsbury's Chinese Crispy Chilli Beef Ready Meal Main For 2
• 🤩 Sainsbury's Pork & Apple Cocktail Sausages
• 🤩 Sainsbury's Chinese Crispy Seaweed Ready Meal Side For 2
• 🤩 Sainsbury's Stock Cubes, Beef
• 🤩 Sainsbury's Red Lentil Penne Pasta