Domino's Launches Gluten-Free Pizza Crust, With A Catch

Domino's Pizza has launched a gluten-free pizza crust available at all of its nearly 5,000 stores in the U.S. It is the first major national delivery chain to offer a gluten-free crust.

The company consulted with the National Foundation for Celiac Awareness which offers an official accreditation program to restaurants that serve gluten-free items. Here's where things get a bit tricky though. Domino's explains in a press release:

While Domino's new Gluten Free Crust is appropriate for those with mild gluten sensitivity, Domino's and the NFCA do not recommend it for those with celiac disease. Domino's and the NFCA found that while the crust is certified as gluten free, current store operations at Domino's cannot guarantee that each handcrafted pizza will be completely free from gluten.

In short, because the gluten-free crust is made in a facility where there is gluten present (like in the ovens), the company doesn't recommend the crust for those with severe cases of celiac disease. For more FAQs, see Domino's Facebook page.

There are an estimated 18 million Americans who are gluten sensitive. If a good chunk of them love delivery pizza, Domino's might have just tapped into a whole new market.

Domino's made a video touting the new crust, and in it also discusses the risks of eating the new pizza for those with actual celiac disease.

WATCH:

Clarification: Domino's is the not the first national chain to offer gluten-free crust, but it is the first large-scale pizza delivery operation to do so. International pizza delivery micro-chain Naked Pizza, based out of Louisiana, has offered gluten-free pizza for a number of years.

Also on HuffPost:

The most over the top fast food creations of 2011

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• Domino's Stuffed Cheesy Bread

  Plain old stuffed crust? That's so last decade -- at least according to <a href="http://www.thedailymeal.com/dominos-ipad-app-makes-you-pizza-hero?utm_source=huffington%2Bpost&utm_medium=partner&utm_campaign=years%2Bmost%2Bover%2Btop%2Bfast%2Bfood%2Bdishes" target="_hplink"><strong>Domino's Pizza</strong></a>. Earlier this year, the chain rolled out a line of "Stuffed Cheesy Bread" that's full of "cheese, cheese, and more cheese." In fact, the breads -- which come in Spinach and Feta, Bacon and Jalapeño, and plain Cheese -- contain as much cheese as an entire medium pizza. <em>Related:</em> <a href="http://www.thedailymeal.com/most-bizarre-pizza-toppings-slideshow-0?utm_source=huffington%2Bpost&utm_medium=partner&utm_campaign=years%2Bmost%2Bover%2Btop%2Bfast%2Bfood%2Bdishes" target="_hplink"><strong>Most Bizarre Pizza Toppings</strong></a> <em>Photo Credit:</em> © Jeff Padrick/Klug Studio

• KFC Cheesy Bacon Bowl

  A bowl can hardly contain "layers of your favorites" without including bacon. Or so was the logic at KFC, which added bacon as a limited-time topping to <a href="http://www.thedailymeal.com/kfc-debuts-cheesy-bacon-bowls?utm_source=huffington%2Bpost&utm_medium=partner&utm_campaign=years%2Bmost%2Bover%2Btop%2Bfast%2Bfood%2Bdishes" target="_hplink"><strong>the chain's line of "Famous Bowls."</strong></a> How did they do it? Well, they took a 680-calorie combo of mashed potatoes, corn, Popcorn Chicken, gravy, and cheese -- then added bacon. <em>Related:</em> <a href="http://www.thedailymeal.com/fast-food-you-cant-find-america-slideshow-0?utm_source=huffington%2Bpost&utm_medium=partner&utm_campaign=years%2Bmost%2Bover%2Btop%2Bfast%2Bfood%2Bdishes" target="_hplink"><strong>Fast Food You Can't Find in America</strong></a> <em>Photo Credit:</em> © brandeating

• Starbucks' Trenta Drinks

  Fast-food excess is hardly reserved for food alone. Take Starbucks' Trenta-sized cups, the veritable Big Gulps of coffee consumption, which each contain 31 ounces of caffeinated brew to pour down your gullet. And if caffeine-induced twitching <a href="http://www.thedailymeal.com/how-healthy-are-your-kids-healthy-snacks-slideshow?utm_source=huffington%2Bpost&utm_medium=partner&utm_campaign=years%2Bmost%2Bover%2Btop%2Bfast%2Bfood%2Bdishes" target="_hplink"><strong>isn't enough of a health risk</strong></a>, consumers should be advised to pace themselves: The cups are actually larger than the typical human stomach. <em>Related:</em> <a href="http://www.thedailymeal.com/how-eat-well-while-training-marathon-slideshow?utm_source=huffington%2Bpost&utm_medium=partner&utm_campaign=years%2Bmost%2Bover%2Btop%2Bfast%2Bfood%2Bdishes" target="_hplink"><strong>How to Eat Well While Marathon Training</strong></a> <em>Photo Credit:</em> © <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/scelera/" target="_hplink"><strong>Flickr/samantha celera</strong></a>

• Denny's Maple Bacon Sundae

  What's more horrifying than an ice cream sundae that features vanilla soft serve, maple syrup, and bacon bits? An entire menu of creations based on the same bacon-centric principle. Denny's, however, has gone there: <a href="http://www.thedailymeal.com/20-food-topics-just-wont-die-slideshow#7?utm_source=huffington%2Bpost&utm_medium=partner&utm_campaign=years%2Bmost%2Bover%2Btop%2Bfast%2Bfood%2Bdishes" target="_hplink"><strong>The chain's "Baconalia!" menu</strong></a> included that cringeworthy sundae, along with a triple-decker BLT, Bacon Meatloaf, and Bacon Flapjacks. <em>Related:</em> <a href="http://www.thedailymeal.com/20-food-topics-just-wont-die-slideshow?utm_source=huffington%2Bpost&utm_medium=partner&utm_campaign=years%2Bmost%2Bover%2Btop%2Bfast%2Bfood%2Bdishes" target="_hplink"><strong>20 Food Topics That Just Won't Die</strong></a> <em>Photo Credit:</em> © <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/aloha75/" target="_hplink"><strong>Flickr/Sam Howzit</strong></a>

• Burger King Stuffed Steakhouse Burger

  If fast food has taught us one thing, it is this: Any food item can be stuffed inside any other. <a href="http://www.thedailymeal.com/burger-king-rolls-out-premium-hamburger?utm_source=huffington%2Bpost&utm_medium=partner&utm_campaign=years%2Bmost%2Bover%2Btop%2Bfast%2Bfood%2Bdishes" target="_hplink"><strong>Burger King's Stuffed Steakhouse Burger</strong></a>, introduced earlier this year, is a prime example. Not content to simply put cheese atop a burger patty, the chain stuffed bits of Cheddar and jalapeño inside the beef, for "an experience you can see and taste in every bite." <em>Related:</em> <a href="http://www.thedailymeal.com/burger-king-debut-new-fries?utm_source=huffington%2Bpost&utm_medium=partner&utm_campaign=years%2Bmost%2Bover%2Btop%2Bfast%2Bfood%2Bdishes" target="_hplink"><strong>Burger King to Debut New Fries</strong></a> <em>Photo Credit:</em> © <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/theimpulsivebuy/" target="_hplink"><strong>Flickr/theimpulsivebuy</strong></a>

• Pizza Hut's Big Dinner Box

  Pizza Hut's "epic-size" repast offers up two medium pizzas, <a href="http://www.thedailymeal.com/americas-best-buffalo-wings-slideshow?utm_source=huffington%2Bpost&utm_medium=partner&utm_campaign=years%2Bmost%2Bover%2Btop%2Bfast%2Bfood%2Bdishes" target="_hplink"><strong>eight wings</strong></a>, and five breadsticks -- in one convenient box! For the low prize of $20, ravenous diners might be tempted to scarf down the entire thing themselves, but please, make this one a family affair: The items in a single box are estimated to contain around 5,000 calories. <em>Related:</em> <a href="http://www.thedailymeal.com/10-fast-food-favorites-made-healthy-slideshow-0?utm_source=huffington%2Bpost&utm_medium=partner&utm_campaign=years%2Bmost%2Bover%2Btop%2Bfast%2Bfood%2Bdishes" target="_hplink"><strong>10 Fast Food Favorites Made "Healthy"</strong></a> <em>Photo Credit:</em> © <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/aloha75/" target="_hplink"><strong>Flickr/Sam Howzit</strong></a>

• Dunkin' Donuts Sausage Pancake Bites

  If you're craving a pancake and sausage breakfast, but just can't find the time, <a href="http://www.thedailymeal.com/dunkin-debuts-new-holiday-items-45?utm_source=huffington%2Bpost&utm_medium=partner&utm_campaign=years%2Bmost%2Bover%2Btop%2Bfast%2Bfood%2Bdishes" target="_hplink"><strong>Dunkin' Donuts</strong></a> discovered a solution in 2011. An order of the chain's Sausage Pancake Bites offered diners three nuggets of flapjack dough that each enclosed a sausage link. A trio of nuggets also managed to enclose 20 grams of fat, more than most doughnuts. <em>Related:</em> <a href="http://www.thedailymeal.com/mcdonalds-magic-window-menu-slideshow?utm_source=huffington%2Bpost&utm_medium=partner&utm_campaign=years%2Bmost%2Bover%2Btop%2Bfast%2Bfood%2Bdishes" target="_hplink"><strong>McDonald's Menu Mash-Up</strong></a> <em>Photo Credit:</em> © <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/theimpulsivebuy/" target="_hplink"><strong>Flickr/theimpulsivebuy</strong></a>

• Taco Bell Doritos Locos Tacos

  Think outside the bun -- and the conventional taco shell. In an apparent bid to include as much junk as possible in a single meal, <a href="http://www.thedailymeal.com/taco-bell-looks-reinvent-taco?utm_source=huffington%2Bpost&utm_medium=partner&utm_campaign=years%2Bmost%2Bover%2Btop%2Bfast%2Bfood%2Bdishes" target="_hplink"><strong>Taco Bell</strong></a> used California and Ohio residents as guinea pigs to test shells made entirely of Doritos' nacho-flavored chips. The cheesy delicacy might be introduced nationwide next year, when, presumably, the chain will also swaps burrito wraps for potato chips. <em>Related:</em> <a href="http://www.thedailymeal.com/chicos-tacos-love-story?utm_source=huffington%2Bpost&utm_medium=partner&utm_campaign=years%2Bmost%2Bover%2Btop%2Bfast%2Bfood%2Bdishes" target="_hplink"><strong>Chico's Tacos: A Love Story</strong></a> <em>Photo Credit:</em> © thatsnerdalicious

• Friendly's Ultimate Grilled-Cheese BurgerMelt

  Why eat one sandwich, when you can eat three? The KFC Double Down may have replaced a burger bun with fried chicken, but this year, Friendly's managed to outdo even that monstrosity. They swapped out a cheeseburger's bread with two entire grilled cheese sandwiches. This gastronomical innovation, not surprisingly, is also a caloric nightmare: 1,500 per sandwich(es). Even that <a href="http://www.thedailymeal.com/no-happy-ending-friendlys?utm_source=huffington%2Bpost&utm_medium=partner&utm_campaign=years%2Bmost%2Bover%2Btop%2Bfast%2Bfood%2Bdishes" target="_hplink"><strong>doesn't seem to be helping the company</strong></a> -- the 76-year-old family-dining brand filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on Oct. 5, and is scheduled to be auctioned Dec. 22. <em>Related:</em> <a href="http://www.thedailymeal.com/no-happy-ending-friendlys?utm_source=huffington%2Bpost&utm_medium=partner&utm_campaign=years%2Bmost%2Bover%2Btop%2Bfast%2Bfood%2Bdishes" target="_hplink"><strong>No Happy Ending for Friendly's</strong></a> <em>Photo Credit:</em> © <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/zombieite/" target="_hplink"><strong>Flickr/zombieite</strong></a>

• Denny's Mac 'N Cheese Big Daddy Patty Melt

  Leave it to Denny's to create a sandwich that has <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/09/01/dennys-mac-n-cheese-patty-melt_n_945390.html" target="_hplink"><strong>both mac 'n cheese and hamburger meat</strong></a> as ingredients...and sauce and more cheese. This gutbomb was part of Denny's "Let's Get Cheesy" menu, and cheesy it is indeed. We fear what the chain will come up with next, given that this calorie-laden meal has twice the calories as a stick of butter. <em>Related</em>: <a href="http://www.thedailymeal.com/americas-best-buffalo-wings-slideshow?utm_source=huffington%2Bpost&utm_medium=partner&utm_campaign=years%2Bmost%2Bover%2Btop%2Bfast%2Bfood%2Bdishes" target="_hplink"><strong>America's Best Buffalo Wings</strong></a> <em>Photo Credit</em>: Denny's

Comments

[Kirk Schneider]

03:52 PM on 08/31/2012

If you've been diagnosed with Celiac Disease, DO NOT eat this pizza! They prepare it on the same screens as their regular pizzas, and use the same ladles to apply the sauce that have touched regular dough. The employee at my local store said they make NO efforts to avoid cross-contamination. (Unfortunately, they didn't tell me this when I placed my first order - I had to find it out on the website after I had consumed one...) Maybe different stores have different policies on how they handle the crusts - it's worth asking to make sure! It's really sad they couldn't figure out a way to segregate the crusts and use separate screens and utensils - for goodness sake, just putting it on a clean piece of foil and using a separate spoon would help. It might have worked for everyone then, but as it is now, it just isn't safe for Celiac patients to consume. I hope they figure it out someday.

[BecomingTommy]

10:29 PM on 01/28/2013

They say exactly that, if you are ILL don't eat this, couldn't be any clearer. You know if that you MUST follow this diet for health you know what to eat, and wouldn't just listen to any adverts alone. Many people "follow" GF diet for touted weight loss, etc. It is just as nut allergies or keeping Kosher, it is way beyond any mixed manufacturing area to fully separate things to a medical/religious certainty. Kirk, if in fact you are that sensitive you would know to avoid it or ask ahead and not trust 18 yo kids at a pizza place for your health concerns.

[TheCouponCenter]

06:28 PM on 07/19/2012

I have to eat Gluten Free food. Its a bummer, but atleast Domino's now has it.
http://dominocoupons.com

[gluten]

10:46 PM on 05/22/2012

Interesting and important information. It is really beneficial for us. Thanks
http://www.felicitysglutenfreehandbook.com

[Sheople]

08:20 PM on 05/11/2012

Pretty stand up move by Domino's, letting people know that their GF pizzas may not be completely GF after preparation. Compare their ethics to your local grocer, or God forbid a company like Kraft or Monsanto that goes out their way to avoid properly labeling their ingredients! If you are on a GF diet, the last thing you should be worrying about is a company like Domino's that tells you how they are doing - compared to all the bad corporate apples who try to hide their ingredients altogether! If all you naysayers jump on Domino's, where will you stop? The Pope?

[Taximom5]

08:26 PM on 05/10/2012

For heaven's sake, folks, Domino's is being honest enough to point out that they prepare the "gluten-free" pizza in a gluten-filled kitchen.

You take that same risk whenever you eat in any restaurant.

It's basically a CYA statement, so they don't get sued by someone who is stupid enough to think that they can avoid cross-contamination at a restaurant that specializes in gluten.

That said, I gotta say, back when I was able to eat gluten, I always thought that Domino's crust tasted like cardboard anyway.

[Darius Xym]

09:26 AM on 05/11/2012

They could avoid cross contamination by having a seperate preparation area. Failing that they could avoid cross contamination by having pre-prepared foil wrapped pizzas that go through the ovens without being in contact with anything else. Putting a gf pizza through the exact same process as a regular pizza WILL contaminate it. e.g. from the guy doing the base, or shared utensils / pans, or from contaminated sauces and toppings, or from the oven or from surfaces.

The only people who should eat these gf pizzas are people who have little reason to be on a gf diet in the first place.

I also disagree you are taking the same risk at every restaurant. Most restaurants employ trained chefs and you can discuss your dietary needs with them if need be, including saying for their benefit that you are a celiac rather than just on some gf weight loss diet.

I think Domino's are cynically tapping the gf as a fad diet market.

[bdl00]

11:10 PM on 05/09/2012

1. Domino's has made sure consumers / potential consumers are fully aware that it's not completely GF sure labelling it GF is ridiculous but, the fact is there and has been brought to everyone's attention.

2. They are not forcing it upon you to eat their pizzas for crying out loud. If it bothers you so much, make your own GF pizza. Have people forgotten how to make dough and cook for themselves? Buy your own toppings which are OK for your allergies and GF requirements. Or if you are to lazy to do that, find a pizza parlour that can guarantee their pizzas are 100% GF!

3. Stop feeling personally attacked if you have 'celiac disease'

4. It's Domino's, you pay for what you get and that's a horrible, bland pizza. Why are you so surprised about their standards? If you want good quality pizza do your research into parlour's around your city that are worthy of going too. You pay pathetic amounts for Domino's yet your expectations are still high every time you go there.

All you people complaining have no idea how pathetic and sad you make yourselves look. At the end of the day you are letting yourselves be offended by pizza. Wake up. First world problems much? HA

[MadTekINC]

01:59 PM on 05/09/2012

Awesome- I just went gluten free last week!

[rocland99]

12:51 PM on 05/09/2012

Not only will Dominos tap into the market of those with gluten sensitivity, but also the gullible, sheepish people who are ignorant enough to think gluten-free is a trendy health movement.

[Darius Xym]

09:30 AM on 05/11/2012

I expect gullible sheepish people who thing gluten free is trendy are their target audience. Some people appear to think quite incorrectly that gluten free = weight loss. The only thing that will happen if they eat a gf pizza instead of a regular one is they get their carbs from rice, potato and tapioca instead of wheat. And their pizza tastes substandard compared to a regular base.

[modstar m]

05:27 PM on 05/27/2012

I could not agree with you more more.

I am disgusted that people would treat the adoption of a gluten-free diet, as some sort of fad or fancy.

I would give almost anything to be able to have a proper piece of cake, or a croissant, or, yes, a slice of pizza. 90% of gluten-free foods are barely edible. Those that do taste okay (and don't have a bizarre mouth feel that gf products usually have), do not require the flavor and consistency that gluten gives most baked goods.

[findvrg]

12:17 PM on 05/09/2012

It's great! I am mildly sensitive and so far no problems. A very thin crust, but it's a huge step up from frozen GF pizza.

[florencebrady]

01:30 AM on 05/09/2012

Anybody tried it. How does it taste?

[catsanon]

08:25 AM on 05/09/2012

tomsawyer14 on another page sampled it; I doubt that Domino's will be using their comment for advertising purposes.......

[themechanicsix]

11:29 PM on 05/08/2012

All their pissa is Gl, free, if you use fake ingredients. Their pizza is really lousy. Just goes to show you how well cheap stuff sells.

[Priestess of Ryleh]

10:53 PM on 05/08/2012

yea... i have a gluten allergy... i doubt very much that the migraines and stomach "distress" that i experience would be worth the chance to eat pizza again.

[brnangel999]

10:17 PM on 05/08/2012

I realize that many people need to eat gluten-free because they have celiac's disease or other ailments directly and adversely affected by gluten ... but what annoys me is that "eating gluten-free" has because such a FAD among others who have no such diseases.

[romigua]

12:02 AM on 05/09/2012

Read a book called "Wheat Belly". You may understand why.

[BecomingTommy]

10:33 PM on 01/28/2013

Understand what? That people tout GF as a new panacea for all that ails mankind? Her point was ill is ill but BS fads are genuine and prevelant. WB aside as a concept/book.

[Joann Vallo]

11:40 AM on 05/09/2012

Why would that bother you? Seriously. I don't eat gluten by choice. My daughter and grandaughter are very allergic to gluten and have been gluten free for years. I read a lot about how invasive gluten is in our food and some of the results of that and decided; better safe than sorry. Trust me, this won't affect your life in any way. I don't even know you.

[Darius Xym]

09:46 AM on 05/11/2012

It should bother anyone who eats gf by necessity. It does the disease no good at all to be lumped in with some trendy diet fad. Restaurants and food preparers won't treat preparation with the seriousness it deserves and mistakes will be made. And when the gf craze has died off (as it will in due course) it will be celiacs who will suffer most when gf market implodes.

[mmarela]

09:30 PM on 05/08/2012

DON'T BOTHER!! No on will eat them!!

[Joseph Misulonas]

08:23 PM on 05/08/2012

"While adding a Gluten-Free option to the menu, the company reassures customers that Domino's will continue it's proud tradition of producing poor quality pizza and pretending to care about their consumers' complaints."