Tejal Somvanshi
RITZ Crackers now come in a certified gluten-free version for the first time in the brand’s history. If you or someone in your household manages celiac disease or non-celiac gluten sensitivity, the new product is rolling out at Walmart and Albertsons starting in October 2026, with wider distribution planned for February 2027.
What Mondelēz announced
Parent company Mondelēz International announced the certified Gluten-Free RITZ Crackers in Original Flavor on October 19, 2026. The 8-ounce package carries a suggested retail price of $4.49 and is formulated without artificial colors or flavors. For the remainder of 2026, distribution is limited to Walmart and Albertsons. Beginning February 2027, the product expands to supermarkets and grocery chains nationwide.
The certification matters specifically for people with celiac disease — approximately 3 million Americans, according to published medical estimates — who need assurance that a product has been manufactured with verified controls against gluten cross-contact, not just formulated without wheat ingredients. Shared manufacturing lines can introduce enough incidental gluten to trigger an immune response in celiac patients even when the base recipe is gluten-free. Gluten-free certification programs require testing and auditing to reduce that risk.
Why this launch matters for celiac households
RITZ crackers are used in a wide range of household recipes — not just as a standalone snack, but as a component in appetizers, casserole toppings, and holiday dishes. A certified version of the original product gives households managing celiac disease an option that can substitute in those recipes without modification.
The RITZ brand originated in 1934, making this the first certified gluten-free version in the product line’s history, according to the Mondelēz announcement.
Timing relative to allergen labeling news
For households managing celiac disease, undeclared gluten in products that appear safe is the primary ongoing concern — which is precisely what certified manufacturing controls are designed to address. The February 2027 national rollout is the relevant date for most consumers who are not near a Walmart or Albertsons location. Watch for certified allergen-free product developments through the holiday season.
The product launch also falls in the same period that food safety agencies across North America have been active on allergen labeling compliance. For current celiac-safe food and drinks guidance, cross-checking specific products against their certification bodies remains the most reliable approach.
