LUNA Bar LemonZest is labeled gluten-free — but regular Clif Bars are not.
Yes. LUNA Bar LemonZest is labeled gluten-free by Clif Bar & Company. It uses gluten-free oats (sourced/processed to the FDA <20 ppm standard) and no barley malt — no wheat, barley, or rye. KEY CONTRAST: standard Clif Bars are NOT gluten-free (they use non-certified oats AND barley malt extract). LUNA is a separate, labeled-gluten-free product line. Always confirm the “Gluten Free” text on the individual LUNA wrapper. Contains soy and milk.
LUNA Bar LemonZest is labeled gluten-free — and the most important thing to understand is the contrast with standard Clif Bars, which are NOT. Same company (Clif Bar & Company), two different product lines, opposite gluten status. LUNA uses gluten-free oats and no barley malt; regular Clif Bars use neither safeguard.
What’s in LUNA LemonZest
Per LUNA’s LemonZest product information: soy protein isolate, organic brown rice syrup, organic tapioca syrup, organic cane syrup, chicory root fiber, organic roasted soybeans, organic sunflower oil, gluten-free organic oats, rice flour, organic soy flour, natural flavors, lemon oil, citric acid, sea salt, plus a yogurt-flavored coating. Per FDA labeling rules, none of these is a gluten-containing grain — the oats are gluten-free oats and there’s no barley malt.
Cross-Contamination Risk
Manufacturing
Low
- LUNA labeled gluten-free.
- Oats are gluten-free oats meeting FDA <20 ppm.
- No barley malt (unlike standard Clif Bars).
Travel
Low
- Sealed individual bars — good celiac travel snack.
- Widely available; read the wrapper to confirm GF + flavor.
Home
Low
- Sealed wrapper, standard pantry storage.
LUNA vs. Clif — The Key Distinction
LUNA Flavors — GF Status
- LUNA LemonZest — labeled gluten-free
- LUNA Chocolate Peppermint Stick — generally labeled GF; verify wrapper
- LUNA Nutz Over Chocolate — generally labeled GF; verify wrapper
- LUNA White Chocolate Macadamia / Chocolate Dipped Coconut — generally labeled GF; verify wrapper
- Standard Clif Bars — NOT gluten-free (non-GF oats + barley malt)
- Contains soy and milk — major allergens beyond gluten
What to Look For — Or Avoid
- “Gluten Free” text on the individual LUNA wrapper
- LUNA branding specifically (not “Clif”)
- Gluten-free oats listed; no barley malt in ingredients
- Standard Clif Bars — non-GF oats + barley malt, NOT GF
- Assuming all Clif Bar & Company products are GF — they’re not
- Soy and milk allergens — present in LUNA bars
Frequently Asked Questions
Are LUNA Bars LemonZest gluten-free?
Yes. LUNA Bar LemonZest is labeled gluten-free by Clif Bar & Company. It uses gluten-free oats (meeting the FDA <20 ppm standard) and contains no barley malt — no wheat, barley, or rye. Always confirm the “Gluten Free” text on the individual wrapper.
Are regular Clif Bars gluten-free?
No. Standard Clif Bars (Chocolate Chip, Crunchy Peanut Butter, etc.) contain rolled oats that are NOT certified gluten-free AND organic barley malt extract — both gluten sources. Clif Bar & Company does not label standard Clif Bars gluten-free. Only the separate LUNA line is labeled GF.
How can LUNA be GF if Clif Bars aren’t?
They’re separate product lines from the same company. LUNA uses gluten-free oats (sourced and processed to the FDA standard) and no barley malt. Standard Clif Bars use non-certified rolled oats plus barley malt extract. The recipe and sourcing differ, so the gluten status differs.
Are all LUNA flavors gluten-free?
LUNA flavors are generally labeled gluten-free (LemonZest, Chocolate Peppermint Stick, Nutz Over Chocolate, White Chocolate Macadamia, Chocolate Dipped Coconut). However, formulations and certifications can change, so always confirm the “Gluten Free” text on the individual bar’s wrapper before eating.
Do LUNA bars contain other allergens?
Yes. LUNA LemonZest contains soy (soy protein isolate, roasted soybeans, soy flour) and milk (yogurt-flavored coating). These are major allergens separate from gluten. LUNA is gluten-free but not soy- or dairy-free.
Is LUNA GFCO certified?
LUNA uses the FDA “Gluten Free” label (<20 ppm gluten), not the stricter GFCO certification (<10 ppm). The FDA standard is adequate for the large majority of people with celiac disease. Highly sensitive celiacs who want a 10 ppm certified bar may prefer a GFCO-certified option like GoMacro.