Pure oats and pure oatmeal do not contain gluten. However, many oatmeal brands today are not pure; they contain oats cross-contaminated with a tiny amount of wheat, barley, or rye. For someone with celiac disease, they are only safe if they are certified gluten-free due to the risk of cross-contamination.

The short answer to the question of oats being gluten free is a resounding yes, however there are always considerations to think about if you have any kind of sensitivity.

Many celiacs eat gluten-free oats with no problems, but if you’re worried about it, you can choose to only eat oats that have been produced under the purity protocol, which involves growing them entirely separately from any grains containing gluten (you can see a list of those manufacturers on the independent, consumer-focused Gluten Free Watchdog website).

Oats without a gluten-free label are not considered safe for those who have celiac disease. Specialty gluten-free oats are grown, harvested and processed in a way that keeps them away from other grains and the high risk of gluten contact, and are widely accepted as safe for those with celiac disease.