Back on the right side of the country (I mean that literally), I’ve had a moment to reflect on the whirlwind that is Natural Products Expo West. Here are my observations and initial impressions from the show.
Expo West is a phenomenon: part trade show, part party, part intense business summit. It’s where new products debut, industry relationships are built, and trends take shape. From herbal supplements and snack foods to skin care, packaging innovations and industrial ingredients, this event showcases the latest developments in natural products. In recent years gluten-free has been one of the dominant trends across both Expo West and East and in the grocery industry overall—one of the fastest-growing segments.
“West,” the spring West Coast edition (as opposed to “East,” held each October), is where most new natural products appear. The show covers everything from artisan snacks to functional beverages and specialty ingredients. Gluten-free offerings, in particular, are everywhere—more than one person could possibly sample in a single visit—so planning your route ahead of time helps you avoid missing notable items.
Three full days at Expo are usually enough to get a solid sense of the floor, though I only visited a few hundred of the more than 6,000 booths. Even so, I encountered far more great products than I could thoroughly taste. A few samples were disappointments—mainly because some vendors offered products that weren’t actually gluten-free, a risk when companies produce both gluten-containing and gluten-free lines. I declined a couple of items after realizing they weren’t safe for those avoiding gluten.
When sampling, I limited myself to small tastes—there’s simply too much food to eat deeply. Between baked goods, snacks, protein drinks, supplements, and skin-care products labeled gluten-free, three days of sampling is about all one person can handle. I brought many favorites home for a more attentive re-tasting, and below I’ll share my first impressions across several categories. I’ll update these impressions as I continue testing samples and find additional products worth mentioning.
A few important caveats before the reviews:
1- Not all “gluten-free” labels mean the same thing. Many manufacturers claim “gluten-free” or “no gluten ingredients” but cannot clearly explain what procedures they follow to prevent cross-contamination. Not adding gluten intentionally is different from using dedicated gluten-free facilities or routinely testing for contamination through independent certification. Companies that don’t use dedicated facilities can still do gluten-free correctly, but they must be able to describe their cross-contamination prevention measures convincingly before I’d recommend trying their products.
2- I couldn’t taste everything at Expo. Given the sheer number of exhibitors and products, I inevitably missed some noteworthy items.
3- The products I did sample were either independently certified or their manufacturers clearly explained testing and safety procedures to my satisfaction. I also encouraged every company to pursue independent certification, which benefits consumers and simplifies shopping for people who must avoid gluten. Until the FDA finalizes a federal definition of “gluten-free,” manufacturers can set their own standards, which may vary in safety and reliability. If you have concerns about a product’s gluten-free status, contact the company and ask for details—if they can’t answer satisfactorily, avoid the product.
4- I’m a food snob. I prefer fresh, homemade flavors, so mass-produced baked goods rarely meet my daily standards. Still, some gluten-free products genuinely impressed me and deserve attention. My reviews reflect personal taste and standards; others may disagree, and that’s fine.
Everything I share here is unpaid opinion. I highlight new products that I believe are worth trying. If you discover safe, excellent gluten-free products, support those brands—tell your friends, ask your local store to carry them, and help keep quality producers in business. There are plenty of good gluten-free options now, so don’t settle for subpar cookies or snacks.
Now, onto my product reviews.
Look for my reviews of the latest in Gluten-Free Granolas & Bars, Frozen Gluten-Free Breads, Gluten-Free Ready-Made Meals, Gluten-Free Cookies, and Gluten-Free Baking Ingredients.
Also, here are video interviews I conducted with companies that released new products at Expo East in Boston last October:
San-J Gluten-Free Sauces
Rhythm Superfoods healthy snacks
Maria & Ricardo’s GF Flour Tortillas
Le Veneziane GF Pasta
Earth Balance Soy Milk
Boulder Canyon GF Chips
Mimic Creme Dairy-Free Whipped Topping & Creams
Kettle Cuisine GF Soups
OhGave! Agave Syrups
Cal Naturale’s Svelte Protein Drink