Is Popcorn Gluten Free? Why Pop Star is a Safe Choice for Coeliacs in 2026

Here's a question I get asked more than you'd expect: is popcorn actually gluten free? The answer should be simple. Popcorn is corn. Corn doesn't contain gluten. End of story. But if you're coeliac—or you're shopping for someone who is—you'll know that nothing in the gluten-free world is ever quite that straightforward.

I've spent the past month working through every popcorn brand I could find in UK supermarkets and discount stores. My desk currently looks like a cinema foyer exploded. The verdict? For coeliacs looking for a genuinely safe, affordable option, Pop Star microwave popcorn stands out. Not because it's the fanciest option—it's not—but because it does the important things right.

Let me explain why.

Is Popcorn Actually Gluten Free?

The short answer: yes, plain popcorn is naturally gluten free. Corn is a gluten-free grain. Full stop.

The longer answer—and this is where it gets complicated—is that the popcorn you actually buy might not be. Cross-contamination is real. Additives matter. And some manufacturers process their products in facilities that also handle wheat, barley, or rye.

For those of you who aren't coeliac, this might seem overly cautious. "It's just corn," I hear you say. But for someone with coeliac disease, even trace amounts of gluten can cause serious symptoms. We're talking about an autoimmune condition, not a lifestyle preference. The distinction matters.

According to Coeliac UK, the threshold for gluten-free labelling in the UK is 20 parts per million (ppm). Products below this level are considered safe for most coeliacs. But here's the catch: not every popcorn brand tests to this standard. Some don't even bother with proper "gluten-free" labelling at all.

What Makes Pop Star Different?

Pop Star is a microwave popcorn brand available primarily at B&M stores across the UK. It's not trying to be artisanal. It's not covered in truffle oil or dusted with Himalayan pink salt. It's straightforward microwave popcorn in three flavours: Sweet, Salt, and Butter.

What makes it worth recommending for coeliacs comes down to certification and manufacturing standards.

BRC Grade A Certification

Pop Star holds BRC (British Retail Consortium) Grade A certification. This is significant. BRC audits are rigorous—they assess everything from hygiene standards to allergen management protocols. Grade A is the highest rating. It means the manufacturer isn't just claiming to have good practices; they've been independently verified.

For context, I've reviewed dozens of snack brands over the years. Plenty make vague claims about quality. Fewer actually have the paperwork to back it up. Pop Star does.

Genuinely Gluten Free

The brand explicitly labels its products as gluten free. Not "may contain traces of wheat." Not buried in the small print with seventeen other allergens. Properly gluten free, front of pack.

This might sound like a low bar, but you'd be surprised how many popcorn products fail it. I spent a frankly depressing afternoon reading the back of packets in my local supermarket. The number of "produced in a facility that also handles wheat" disclaimers was higher than I'd expected.

No Artificial Nasties

Pop Star products are also:

• GM free
• Free from artificial colours
• Free from artificial flavours
• Free from hydrogenated fats
• High in fibre
• Suitable for vegetarians

None of this directly relates to gluten, but it speaks to overall product quality. When a brand cuts corners on one thing, they often cut corners on others. Pop Star appears to be doing things properly across the board.

Can Coeliacs Eat Popcorn Safely?

Yes—but with caveats.

Coeliacs can safely eat popcorn that meets two criteria:

1. Made from 100% corn with no gluten-containing additives
2. Manufactured in a gluten-free facility or with proper cross-contamination controls

The trouble is, not all popcorn products meet both criteria. Some microwave popcorns contain malt flavouring, which is barley-derived and therefore contains gluten. Others might be processed alongside wheat-based snacks.

This is why I always recommend checking the specific product, not just assuming "popcorn = safe." The Coeliac UK Food and Drink Directory is invaluable here. They maintain an updated database of verified gluten-free products.

Pop Star's products are straightforward: corn, oil, and flavouring. No malt. No wheat starch. No suspicious "natural flavourings" that might secretly contain gluten.

Is Cinema Popcorn Gluten Free?

While we're on the topic—I know this question comes up constantly—cinema popcorn is generally safe for coeliacs.

Major UK cinema chains including Odeon, Cineworld, and Vue typically use dedicated popcorn poppers that only handle corn. The base popcorn itself is gluten free. However, and this is important, flavoured toppings might not be. If you're getting fancy with caramel drizzle or cheese powder, check with staff.

My experience? I've asked at several Odeon branches about their allergen procedures. The responses have been consistently helpful. But I've also had friends who've had less positive experiences at smaller independents. When in doubt, ask.

The advantage of making popcorn at home with a brand like Pop Star is that you control everything. No need to interrogate a teenager behind a counter who's just trying to get through their shift.

How Pop Star Compares to Other Gluten-Free Popcorn Brands

I promised you data, so here it is. I compared Pop Star against four other commonly available popcorn brands on criteria that matter for coeliacs:

Is Butterkist popcorn gluten free? Some products are, some aren't. Their microwave popcorn tends to be gluten free, but always check the specific variant. Their toffee-coated products often contain barley malt.

The pattern is clear: premium brands charge significantly more without necessarily offering better allergen management. Pop Star's BRC Grade A certification puts it ahead of competitors charging twice the price.

The Honest Downsides

I wouldn't be doing my job if I didn't mention the negatives.

Limited flavour range. Three flavours. That's it. If you want salted caramel or sweet chilli or any of the more creative options available from brands like Popcorn Shed, Pop Star isn't your answer. It's traditional microwave popcorn. Sometimes that's exactly what you want. Sometimes it isn't.

Availability is patchy. Pop Star is primarily stocked at B&M. That's great if you have a B&M nearby. Less great if you don't. I couldn't find it at Tesco, Sainsbury's, ASDA, or any of the major supermarkets. This might change, but as of January 2026, it's a discount store exclusive.

The packaging is functional, not premium. It does what it needs to do. It won't win any design awards. If aesthetics matter to you—and I'm not judging if they do—this isn't the most Instagram-worthy popcorn on the market.

Gluten-Free Snacking Beyond Popcorn

If you're coeliac, building a reliable snack rotation is essential. Popcorn is a solid option, but variety matters.

Other naturally gluten-free snacks I'd recommend exploring:

• Rice cakes (check for added flavourings)
• Corn chips and tortilla chips (same cross-contamination caveats apply)
• Vegetable crisps (most are naturally GF)
• Nuts and seeds (plain versions are safe)
• Dried fruit (watch for oat-coated varieties)

For more substantial snacking, gluten-free crackers have improved dramatically over the past few years. I remember when the only options tasted like cardboard with ambition. The current generation is genuinely good.

The gluten-free crisps market has similarly expanded. Many mainstream crisp brands are now gluten free by default—regular salted crisps from most major manufacturers contain just potatoes, oil, and salt.

What to Look for When Buying Gluten-Free Snacks

Based on my testing across multiple product categories, here's what I check:

1. Explicit Gluten-Free Labelling

Vague claims aren't enough. "Suitable for a gluten-free diet" or the crossed grain symbol are what you're looking for. "No gluten-containing ingredients" is weaker—it doesn't account for cross-contamination.

2. Manufacturing Information

"Made in a dedicated gluten-free facility" is gold standard. "May contain traces of wheat" is a deal-breaker for most coeliacs. "Produced in a facility that handles wheat" falls somewhere in between—some coeliacs tolerate this, others don't.

3. Third-Party Certification

BRC certification, Coeliac UK certification, or similar independent verification adds confidence. Brands can claim anything. External audits prove it.

4. Ingredient List Length

This isn't foolproof, but shorter ingredient lists generally mean fewer opportunities for hidden gluten. Pop Star's ingredients list is refreshingly short.

My Testing Process

Full disclosure on methodology: I don't have coeliac disease myself. What I do have is a thorough approach to product testing and several coeliac friends who've helped verify my findings.

My testing covered:

• Label accuracy (does the product actually contain what it claims?)
• Taste and texture quality
• Value for money
• Accessibility (where can you actually buy it?)
• Manufacturing standards (certifications, allergen policies)

For the coeliac-specific verification, I worked with two friends who've been managing coeliac disease for over a decade. They tried Pop Star products multiple times over a four-week period with no adverse reactions. That's anecdotal evidence, obviously, not a clinical trial. But it's more rigorous than "I read the label and it seemed fine."

Where to Buy Pop Star Popcorn

As of January 2026, Pop Star is primarily available at B&M stores across the UK. Pricing typically sits around £1-1.50 for a pack of three microwave bags, making it one of the more affordable gluten-free popcorn options available.

Online availability is limited. You might find it on eBay or Amazon Marketplace from third-party sellers, but prices tend to be inflated. If you have a B&M nearby, that's your best bet.

For those without convenient B&M access, comparable gluten-free microwave popcorn options include supermarket own-brands (check individual product labelling) and branded alternatives like Butterkist (again, verify the specific product).

Use Grocefully to compare prices across retailers and find gluten-free snacks at the best prices near you.

The Verdict

Is popcorn gluten free? Yes, fundamentally. Is all popcorn safe for coeliacs? Absolutely not.

Pop Star gets my recommendation because it does the basics right. BRC Grade A certification. Clear gluten-free labelling. No suspicious ingredients. Reasonable price point. It's not exciting. It's not trying to be. It's reliable, affordable popcorn that won't cause problems for people who need to avoid gluten.

"But Tom," I can imagine some of you thinking, "surely there are fancier options worth the premium?" There are. If budget isn't a concern and availability isn't an issue, brands like Propercorn and Metcalfe's offer more flavour variety with comparable allergen standards. But for everyday snacking—for the Tuesday evening when you just want something to eat while watching telly—Pop Star delivers.

My desk has finally been cleared of the popcorn mountain. The testing is complete. And for coeliacs seeking a genuinely safe, affordable microwave popcorn option, Pop Star earns its place on the shortlist.