Is Canyon Bakehouse Clean?

The Short Answer

Canyon Bakehouse is a middle-of-the-road option. It is significantly better than conventional gluten-free breads (like Udi's) because it avoids soy oil and high fructose corn syrup, and it holds its texture well.

However, it earns a Caution verdict for the "clean" crowd. While they have swapped seed oils for olive oil in some products, many loaves still contain expeller-pressed canola oil, xanthan gum, and added cane sugar. Furthermore, independent testing in 2024 found detectable levels of glyphosate (the active ingredient in Roundup) in their bread, likely due to non-organic grains.

Why This Matters

Gluten-free bread is notoriously difficult to make "clean." Without gluten to provide structure, brands often rely on a cocktail of gums, starches, and stabilizers to keep the bread from crumbling.

Canyon Bakehouse bridges the gap between taste and health better than most, but they are still a processed food product. Their use of cultured brown rice flour is a clever natural preservative, but the reliance on xanthan gum can cause digestive distress (bloating, gas) for sensitive individuals—the very people buying gluten-free bread in the first place.

Additionally, the glyphosate findings are a major red flag. Non-organic grains like sorghum and millet are often desiccated (dried out) with glyphosate before harvest. Even "Certified Gluten-Free" does not mean "pesticide-free."

What's Actually In Canyon Bakehouse

The ingredients vary significantly by loaf. Here is the breakdown for their popular 7-Grain Bread:

• Water
• Brown Rice Flour & Tapioca Flour — Standard GF refined starches.
• Whole Grain Sorghum Flour — A nutritious ancient grain, but potentially sprayed with glyphosate if not organic.
• Organic Agave Syrup & Cane Sugar — Two forms of added sugar per slice.
• Whole Grain Millet — Another ancient grain.
• Eggs — Provides structure (sorry, vegans).
• Xanthan Gum — A bacterial secretion used as a binder; can trigger Gut Inflammation.
• Extra Virgin Olive Oil — Green flag. A stable, healthy fat (used in some loaves).
• Cultured Brown Rice Flour — A cleaner alternative to preservatives like calcium propionate.

Note: The Country White and Ancient Grain loaves often list Expeller Pressed Canola Oil instead of olive oil. Always check the back of the bag.

What to Look For

Green Flags:

• Olive Oil — Used in the 7-Grain and Mountain White loaves (check label to be sure).
• No Soy — Free from inflammatory soybean oil and soy flour.
• Cultured Flour — Uses fermentation byproducts for preservation instead of synthetic chemicals.
• Certified Gluten-Free — Safe for Celiacs.

Red Flags:

• Glyphosate Residue — Tested at ~10 ppb. Low compared to Quaker Oats (hundreds of ppb), but not zero.
• Canola Oil — Found in Country White, Ancient Grain, and Heritage Honey White. Seed Oils
• Xanthan Gum — A processed emulsifier that mimics gluten's elasticity but can irritate the gut.
• Added Sugar — 2-3g per slice isn't huge, but it adds up if you eat two slices a day.

The Best Options

If you are buying Canyon Bakehouse, you need to be selective. The ingredients change between "Heritage" styles and standard loaves.

The Bottom Line

1. Read the Oil Label — Never assume it's olive oil. If you see "Canola Oil" or "Sunflower Oil," put it back.

2. Toast It — If you are sensitive to gums, toasting can sometimes make the texture easier to digest, though it won't remove the additives.

3. Go Organic if Possible — To avoid glyphosate, you generally need to buy organic. Canyon Bakehouse is not organic.

4. Better Alternatives — For a truly clean loaf, look for Bread SRSLY (sourdough, gum-free) or Pacha (sprouted buckwheat, 2 ingredients).

FAQ

Is Canyon Bakehouse glyphosate-free?

No. Independent testing by Mamavation in 2024 found levels between 7.3 ppb and 10.11 ppb in their bagels and bread. While these levels are lower than conventional wheat bread, they indicate some pesticide exposure in the supply chain.

Does Canyon Bakehouse use seed oils?

It depends on the loaf. The 7-Grain and Mountain White varieties often use Extra Virgin Olive Oil, which is excellent. However, the Country White and Ancient Grain varieties typically use Expeller Pressed Canola Oil. Always verify the ingredient list on your specific package.

Is Canyon Bakehouse anti-inflammatory?

Likely not. While it avoids gluten (a major inflammatory trigger for many), it contains xanthan gum and potentially canola oil, both of which can drive inflammation in sensitive individuals. The added sugar also spikes blood glucose, which is pro-inflammatory.

---

References (9)

1. 1. mamavation.com
2. 2. blackwing.com
3. 3. glutenfreepalace.com
4. 4. canyonglutenfree.com
5. 5. gimmethegoodstuff.org
6. 6. martinsfoods.com
7. 7. canyonglutenfree.com
8. 8. mamavation.com
9. 9. theglutenfreeshoppe.com