At FindGlutenFreeBakeries.com, we take our responsibility to the celiac and gluten-free community seriously. Every bakery listed in our directory must meet strict criteria designed to protect your health and ensure you can shop with confidence.
This page outlines our editorial standards, verification process, and the criteria we use to evaluate and list gluten-free bakeries.
Our Primary Criteria
1. Dedicated Gluten-Free Facility (Priority)
Our directory prioritizes 100% dedicated gluten-free bakeries: facilities where no wheat, barley, rye, or cross-contaminated oats are used at any time. These bakeries offer the highest level of safety for people with celiac disease.
What qualifies as dedicated:
- No gluten-containing ingredients anywhere on the premises
- All equipment used exclusively for gluten-free production
- Staff trained exclusively in gluten-free protocols
- No risk of airborne flour contamination
- Clear commitment to serving the celiac community
2. Verified Gluten-Free Protocols (Secondary)
In areas where dedicated facilities are limited, we may list bakeries with exceptional gluten-free protocols in shared facilities, but only when they meet stringent safety requirements:
- Completely separate production areas or designated gluten-free baking days
- Dedicated equipment that never contacts gluten
- Written cross-contamination prevention protocols
- Staff training on celiac disease and contamination risks
- Third-party certification (GFCO, NSF, or similar)
- Regular gluten testing of products
Note: We clearly indicate when a bakery operates in a shared facility so you can make informed decisions based on your individual risk tolerance.
3. Business Legitimacy
Every bakery must be a legitimate, operating business with:
- A physical location or established online presence
- Regular operating hours or clear ordering/shipping procedures
- Verifiable contact information
- Business licenses and food handling permits (where applicable)
- Positive standing in the community
4. Focus on Baked Goods
Our directory focuses on bakeries that specialize in gluten-free baked goods:
- Breads, rolls, and sandwich breads
- Cakes, cupcakes, and pastries
- Cookies, brownies, and bars
- Muffins, scones, and breakfast items
- Pies, tarts, and desserts
- Pizza crusts and specialty items
While some bakeries may offer additional items like coffee, sandwiches, or light meals, their primary focus should be baked goods production.
Our Verification Process
Step 1: Initial Research
When a bakery is submitted or discovered through our research, we conduct initial verification:
- Review the bakery's website and social media presence
- Verify they are a dedicated gluten-free facility or meet our shared facility criteria
- Confirm current operating status and location
- Check for any certifications (GFCO, NSF, etc.)
- Read available customer reviews and community feedback
Step 2: Direct Contact
Whenever possible, we contact bakeries directly to:
- Confirm they are a dedicated gluten-free facility
- Verify operating hours and contact information
- Ask about their cross-contamination protocols
- Request permission to list them in our directory
- Gather detailed information about their offerings
Step 3: Information Verification
Before adding a bakery to our directory, we verify:
- Physical address and location accuracy
- Current phone number and email address
- Website and social media links are functional
- Operating hours are current and accurate
- Business is actively operating (not temporarily or permanently closed)
Step 4: Ongoing Updates
Our verification doesn't stop at initial listing:
- We periodically review and update all listings
- We respond promptly to community-reported changes
- We remove or update listings for closed or relocated businesses
- We contact bakeries when we receive conflicting information
What We Do NOT List
Restaurants with "Gluten-Free Menus"
General restaurants offering gluten-free menu items are not included in our directory, even if they have extensive gluten-free options. Our focus is specifically on dedicated bakeries.
Grocery Store Bakery Sections
In-store bakeries at grocery chains (even those with gluten-free sections) are not listed, as they typically operate in shared environments with high cross-contamination risk.
Shared Facilities Without Adequate Protocols
Bakeries operating in shared facilities without dedicated equipment, separate production areas, or comprehensive safety protocols do not meet our listing criteria.
Temporarily Inactive Businesses
We remove listings for businesses that are temporarily closed for extended periods or have uncertain reopening plans until they resume operations.
Businesses with Unverifiable Information
If we cannot verify a bakery's dedicated gluten-free status, contact information, or operating status, we will not list them until verification is complete.
How We Handle Community Submissions
We welcome and encourage bakery submissions from the gluten-free community. Community recommendations are one of our most valuable sources for discovering new bakeries.
Our Submission Review Process:
- We receive a submission via email or our contact form with bakery details
- We conduct initial research to verify the bakery exists and appears to be gluten-free
- We reach out to the bakery to confirm their dedicated status and gather accurate information
- We verify all details including location, hours, contact information, and protocols
- We add the bakery to our directory if all criteria are met
- We thank the submitter and notify them when the bakery is added
Typical Timeframe: We aim to research and add submitted bakeries within 2-4 weeks, though timelines may vary depending on our ability to contact and verify information with the bakery.
Information Accuracy & Updates
We strive for 100% accuracy in our listings, but recognize that business information changes frequently. Hours may shift seasonally, phone numbers may change, and bakeries may relocate or close.
Our Commitment to Accuracy:
- We update listings within 48 hours when informed of changes
- We conduct periodic reviews of all listings to verify continued accuracy
- We prioritize urgent safety-related updates (facility changes, closures, etc.)
- We remove listings for permanently closed businesses immediately upon verification
- We maintain a record of update dates for transparency
Help Us Stay Accurate
If you notice outdated or incorrect information in our directory, please contact us immediately. Your feedback helps keep our directory reliable for the entire community.
Our Independence & Objectivity
No Pay-for-Placement
Bakeries cannot pay to be listed in our directory or to receive preferential placement. Every bakery that meets our criteria is listed based solely on merit and safety standards, not financial consideration.
No Affiliate Relationships
We do not receive commissions or affiliate payments from bakeries listed in our directory. Our recommendations are based entirely on meeting our safety and quality criteria.
Community-First Approach
Our loyalty is to the celiac and gluten-free community, not to any individual bakery or business interest. If a bakery no longer meets our standards or receives concerning feedback about safety, we will investigate thoroughly and take appropriate action, including removal from our directory if necessary.
Transparency About Limitations
While we work diligently to maintain accurate, comprehensive listings, we want to be transparent about the limitations of our directory:
We cannot personally visit every bakery. While we verify information through research and direct contact, we rely on bakery representations and community feedback for some details.
Safety protocols can change. A bakery that is dedicated today could alter its policies tomorrow. We encourage you to always ask questions when visiting any bakery, even those listed in our directory.
Individual sensitivities vary. What feels safe for one person with celiac disease may not be suitable for another. Our directory provides information, but you must make the final decision based on your comfort level and health needs.
We may not know about every bakery. Despite our best efforts, some dedicated gluten-free bakeries may not yet be in our directory. We rely on community input to continually expand our coverage.
Questions About Our Standards?
We welcome questions, feedback, and suggestions about our editorial standards and verification processes. If you'd like to:
- Submit a bakery for consideration
- Report outdated or incorrect information
- Ask about our vetting process for a specific bakery
- Provide feedback on our standards
- Report a safety concern
Please contact us. We're committed to continuous improvement and value your input.