Is Ocean Spray Cranberry Sauce Gluten Free? (Find Out Now!)

Written by Jessica Else in Gluten Free,Pantry

Is Ocean Spray Cranberry Sauce Gluten Free

Ocean Spray produces the most recognizable cranberry sauce on the market, visible on shelves everywhere in their cans that are either labeled “jellied” or “whole berry”.  The two sauces are the same in every way, except for texture. One is chunky and the other a smooth and more jelly-like. Cranberry sauce walks the line between tart and sweet and is great paired with holiday dinners, as well as many other foods. But you might be wondering, is Ocean Spray cranberry sauce gluten-free?

Ocean Spray Cranberry Sauce is gluten-free. This applies to both the Jellied version and the Whole Berry Cranberry Sauce. Still, most cranberry sauces are not only loaded with sugar, but contain high fructose corn syrup. The best gluten-free and healthier cranberry sauces are Appalachian Naturals Cranberry Sauce, Wild Thymes Cranberry Sauce, and Sarabeth’s Cranberry Relish.

In this article, we’ll explain the disadvantages to the high fructose corn syrup and go over gluten-free label laws. We will also list out Ocean Spray Cranberry Sauce ingredients and discover some healthy alternatives to the delicious sauce. Let’s dig in!

Why Are Some Things Not Labeled Gluten-Free?

FDA requires that if a product claims to be “gluten-free” on the packaging, then it must contain less than 20 parts per million of gluten. That rule does not apply to labels like “wheat-free”. Check the ingredients on product labels, even products that are labeled “gluten-free” to ensure they will meet your dietary requirements. Ocean Spray Cranberry Sauce products are not labeled gluten-free, but their gluten-free status is confirmed on the company’s. website.

Is Ocean Spray Cranberry Sauce Healthy?

Ocean Spray Cranberry Sauce contains half of your recommended daily value of sugar in one serving, which is generally about a quarter of a cup. Considering sugar is added to a wide variety of foods you consume every day, you should take great care to not overdo your sugar intake on foods that have a moderate to high amounts of sugar compared to the recommended daily amount of 50 grams per day in a 2,000 calorie diet.

Are there harmful chemicals in Ocean Spray Cranberry Sauce?

Both the jellied and the whole cranberry Ocean Spray Cranberry Sauce contain only cranberries, sugar, water and high fructose corn syrup. High fructose corn syrup is the main concerning ingredient in Ocean Spray Cranberry Sauce. High fructose corn syrup has been shown to contribute to inflammation and can increase the risk of obesity and other disease.

Should you avoid high fructose corn syrup?

High fructose corn syrup is made from corn and has been shown to have some negative impacts on your body. It’s a highly processed form of sugar. Dietitians say the heavy presence of high fructose corn syrup (HFCS) in today’s foods has led to the obesity epidemic because it adds a major amount of fructose – sugar – into most people’s diets. Studies show HCFS could play a role in conditions like gout, diabetes, fatty liver and more.

Ocean Spray Cranberry Sauce Nutritional Information

Ocean Spray Jellied Cranberry Sauce

Ingredients:

  • Cranberries
  • High Fructose Corn Syrup
  • Corn Syrup
  • Water

Nutrition Facts (per 70 g. serving):

  • Calories – 110
  • Total Carbohydrates – 28 g
  • Total Fat – 0 g / 0%
  • Sodium – 10 mg / 0%
  • Sugars – 25 g
  • Protein – 0 g

Ocean Spray Whole Berry Cranberry Sauce

Ingredients:

  • Cranberries
  • High Fructose Corn Syrup
  • Corn Syrup
  • Water

Nutrition Facts (per 70 g. serving):

  • Calories – 110
  • Total Carbohydrates – 28 g
  • Total Fat – 0 g / 0%
  • Sodium – 10 mg / 0%
  • Sugars – 25 g
  • Protein – 0 g

Other Gluten-Free Cranberry Sauces

Great Value Jellied Cranberry Sauce

This cranberry sauce is not labeled gluten-free but contains no gluten ingredients.

Ingredients:

  • Cranberries
  • High Fructose Corn Syrup
  • Corn Syrup
  • Water
  • Citric Acid

Nutrition Facts (per 70 g. serving):

  • Calories – 110
  • Total Carbohydrates – 28 g
  • Total Fat – 0 g / 0%
  • Sodium – 10 mg / 0%
  • Sugars – 24 g
  • Protein – 0 g

Food Lion Jellied Cranberry Sauce

This canned cranberry sauce isn’t labeled gluten—free but contains no gluten ingredients.

Ingredients:

  • Cranberries
  • High Fructose Corn Syrup
  • Corn Syrup
  • Water
  • Citric Acid

Nutrition Facts (per 0.25 cup serving):

  • Calories – 110
  • Total Carbohydrates – 28 g
  • Total Fat – 0 g / 0%
  • Sodium – 10 mg / 0%
  • Dietary Fiber – 0 g / 0%
  • Sugars – 24 g
  • Protein – 0 g

Stonewall Kitchen Holiday Spiced Cranberry Sauce

This cranberry sauce is labeled with the gluten status “non-gluten ingredients” and contains no genetically modified ingredients.

Ingredients:

  • Pure Cane Sugar
  • Cranberries
  • Orange Peel
  • Orange Juice Concentrate
  • Ginger
  • Brandy
  • Natural Flavor
  • Salt
  • Spices
  • Ground Anise Seed

Nutrition Facts (per 30 g. serving):

  • Calories – 70
  • Total Carbohydrates – 17 g
  • Total Fat – 0 g / 0%
  • Sodium – 20 mg / 1%
  • Sugars – 28 g
  • Protein – 0 g

Farmers Market Organic Cranberry Sauce

Ingredients:

  • Cranberries
  • Cane Sugar

Nutrition Facts (per 70 g. serving):

  • Calories – 90
  • Total Carbohydrates – 24 g
  • Total Fat – 0 g / 0%
  • Sodium – 0 mg / 0%
  • Sugars – 20 g
  • Protein – 0 g

Wegmans Organic Whole Berry Cranberry Sauce

This cranberry sauce isn’t labeled gluten-free but contains no high fructose corn syrup or gluten ingredients.

Ingredients:

  • Cranberries
  • Sugar
  • Filtered Water
  • Lemon Juice Concentrate

Nutrition Facts (per 70 g. serving)

  • Calories – 110
  • Total Carbohydrates – 25 g
  • Total Fat – 0 g / 0%
  • Sodium – 0 mg / 0%
  • Sugars – 22 g
  • Protein – 0 g

Wild Harvest Jellied Cranberry Sauce

This cranberry sauce is labeled gluten-free and is free from high fructose corn syrup and artificial sweeteners.

Ingredients:

  • Cranberries
  • Sugar
  • Filtered Water
  • Lemon Juice Concentrate

Nutrition Facts (per 0.25 cup serving)

  • Calories – 110
  • Total Carbohydrates – 24 g
  • Total Fat – 0 g / 0%
  • Sodium – 10 mg / 0%
  • Sugars – 24 g
  • Protein – 0 g

Woodstock Jellied Cranberry Sauce

This is another popular cranberry sauce that is present in many grocers. It is not labeled gluten-free but contains no gluten ingredients.

Ingredients:

  • Cranberries
  • Sugar
  • Filtered Water
  • Lemon Juice Concentrate

Nutrition Facts (per 0.25 cup serving):

  • Calories – 110
  • Total Carbohydrates – 24 g
  • Total Fat – 0 g / 0%
  • Sodium – 10 mg / 0%
  • Sugars – 24 g
  • Protein – 0 g

Market Pantry Cranberry Sauce

This brand of cranberry sauce comes from the Target brand. It’s not labeled gluten-free but contains no gluten ingredients.

Ingredients:

  • Cranberries
  • High Fructose Corn Syrup
  • Filtered Water
  • Corn Syrup
  • Citric Acid

Nutrition Facts (per 0.25 cup serving):

  • Calories – 110
  • Total Carbohydrates – 28 g
  • Total Fat – 0 g / 0%
  • Sodium – 10 mg / 0%
  • Dietary Fiber – 0 g / 0%
  • Sugars – 24 g
  • Protein – 0 g

Trader Joe’s Cranberry Sauce

This cranberry sauce is not labeled gluten-free but contains no gluten ingredients.

Ingredients:

  • Cranberries
  • Sugar
  • Water
  • Pectin

Nutrition Facts (per 0.25 cup serving):

  • Calories – 110
  • Total Carbohydrates – 28 g
  • Total Fat – 0 g / 0%
  • Sodium – 5 mg / 0%
  • Dietary Fiber – 0 g / 0%
  • Sugars – 20 g
  • Protein – 0 g

Healthier Cranberry Sauce Options

Appalachian Naturals Cranberry Sauce

This sauce is not labeled gluten-free but contains no gluten ingredients and is sweetened with cane juice.

Ingredients:

  • Cape Cod Cranberries
  • Water
  • Organic Evaporated Cane Juice

Nutrition Facts (per 21 g. serving):

  • Calories – 86
  • Total Carbohydrates – 5 g
  • Total Fat – 0 g / 0%
  • Sodium – 0 mg / 0%
  • Sugars – 5 g
  • Protein – 0 g

Wild Thymes Cranberry Sauce

This cranberry sauce is not labeled gluten-free, but it contains no gluten ingredients.

Ingredients:

  • Cranberries
  • Sugar
  • Oranges
  • Lemons

Nutrition Facts (per 1 tbsp/15 g. serving):

  • Calories – 21
  • Total Carbohydrates – 5 g
  • Total Fat – 0 g / 0%
  • Sodium – 0 mg / 0%
  • Dietary Fiber – 0 g / 0%
  • Sugars – 4 g
  • Protein – 0 g

Sarabeth’s Cranberry Relish

Sarabeth's Legendary Cranberry Relish - 18 oz This cranberry sauce is not labeled gluten-free but contains no gluten ingredients.

Ingredients:

  • Cranberries
  • Oranges
  • Sugar

Nutrition Facts (per 1 tbsp/15 g. serving):

  • Calories – 50
  • Total Carbohydrates – 13 g
  • Total Fat – 0 g / 0%
  • Sodium – 0 mg / 0%
  • Dietary Fiber – 0 g / 0%
  • Sugars – 12 g
  • Protein – 0 g

Homemade Cranberry Sauce Recipes

The best way to make sure your food is gluten-free is to make it yourself, and cranberry sauce is an easy condiment to whip up in the kitchen.

There are dozens of uses for cranberry sauce that extend beyond the holiday dinner table, but cranberry sauce is usually a staple at Christmas or Thanksgiving Dinner. You can use cranberry sauce on sandwiches, pair it with cream cheese, and add it to many other things to add a little extra flavor. By making cranberry sauce yourself, you can also add other ingredients to make it a little spicy, to add a little bit of citrus zest or to create a deeper, more herbal flavor.

Here’s a cranberry sauce recipe that’s easy to make and gluten-free:

Perfect Cranberry Sauce

This sauce is easy enough to make that you could whip up a batch just before dinner. With three ingredients, you can also control the amount of sugar is in the sauce – and it’s easily gluten-free.

Ingredients:

  • 12 oz Fresh Cranberries, Rinsed
  • 1 Cup Water
  • 1 Cup Sugar

Directions:

  • Bring water to a boil and stir in sugar until it is dissolved.
  • Add cranberries and simmer 10 minutes, or until the cranberries have mostly popped open.
  • Remove from heat, cool slightly and serve.
  • Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks

Nutrition Facts (per 0.25 cup serving):

  • Calories – 62
  • Total Carbohydrates – 16 g
  • Total Fat – 0 g / 0%
  • Sodium – 5 mg / 0%
  • Dietary Fiber – 0 g / 0%
  • Sugars – 14 g
  • Protein – 0 g

Related Questions

Is Ocean Spray Cranberry Sauce vegan?

Both the Ocean Spray Cranberry Sauce jellied and whole cranberry versions are vegan. They do not contain gelatin or any other animal products, are free from gluten and are free from nuts.

Are Ocean Spray Cranberry Sauce kosher?

All of the Ocean Spray Cranberry Sauce versions are certified kosher, both the jellied version and the whole cranberry sauce.

Are there allergens in Ocean Spray Cranberry Sauce?

No, none of the eight major allergens are present in either the jellied or the whole cranberry Ocean Spray Cranberry Sauce varieties. Neither of the cranberry sauces contain gelatin, either.

Is Ocean Spray Cranberry Sauce high in sugar?

Ocean Spray Cranberry sauces are moderately high in sugar and contain high fructose corn syrup. Both have been linked to disease.

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Jessica Else

Jessica Else is a nutrition writer who has a passion for health and wellness. As a breast cancer survivor and a celiac, Jessica sticks to a gluten-free, nutrient-dense diet and lives an active lifestyle. Yoga, hiking and gardening are her favorite ways to stay healthy and engaged with life and she’s dedicated to helping others discover what they can do to boost wellness in their own lives.

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