A gluten-free label, an ingredient list and a kitchen's production practices tell you different things. When choosing prepared meals, ask about all three. A company's size or whether it is local does not answer those questions for you.
What a gluten-free label tells you
For FDA-regulated foods, a gluten-free labeling claim has defined requirements, including a gluten level below 20 parts per million. The label does not, by itself, tell you whether the food was made in a dedicated gluten-free facility.
Read the FDA's explanation of gluten-free labeling. Ask a provider what its descriptions mean in practice, particularly if the wording is unclear.
What to ask about production
Providers use different facilities and processes. Instead of assuming every national service or every local kitchen follows the same model, ask the specific business:
- Does the facility also prepare food containing wheat, barley or rye?
- Is equipment shared with gluten-containing production?
- What controls does the business use to manage cross-contact?
- Where can you find the ingredient and allergen information for the actual dish?
- Who can answer an ingredient or preparation question before you order?
Those answers help you evaluate the service alongside your individual dietary needs. Follow your healthcare professional's guidance about celiac disease and other medical requirements.
How SmashMeals prepares its food
SmashMeals has operated in Kingsport, Tennessee since 2017. We prepare meals in a dedicated gluten-free kitchen and do not share production equipment with gluten-containing food. This describes our process; it is not a promise that every meal fits every allergy or medical diet.
Gluten-free does not mean free of dairy, soy, eggs, nuts or other allergens. Check the individual item and contact us if information needed for your decision is unclear.
Kitchen and allergen information · Ask a question before ordering
Compare the whole order
Use the current menu to compare food you would actually eat, portions, ingredients, nutrition and prices. Check the ordering terms and full delivered cost. Our provider comparisons include sources you can use to investigate alternatives.
Choose an available SmashMeals pickup location or enter your address to check local delivery and its charge. We also offer $30 flat-rate FedEx Ground shipping for eligible addresses. Arrival timing depends on the destination and carrier conditions. Local meals are prepared fresh. Shipped orders are frozen before leaving the kitchen.
Regular weekly orders close Thursday 11:59 PM Eastern. A subscription is optional. Review the fulfillment information and follow each item's storage and reheating instructions.
Browse the current menu and order · Pickup locations · Shipping details
Frequently asked questions
- Is a gluten-free meal from a shared kitchen suitable for people with celiac disease?
- A gluten-free label alone does not explain a kitchen's process. Ask about ingredients and cross-contact controls and discuss your needs with your healthcare professional.
- What is the difference between gluten-free friendly and 100% gluten-free?
- Ask the business what its wording means in practice. Ingredient choices, facility practices and labeling requirements are distinct questions; a label is not itself proof of a dedicated kitchen.
- Does SmashMeals cook in a dedicated gluten-free kitchen?
- SmashMeals prepares meals in a dedicated gluten-free kitchen and does not share production equipment with gluten-containing food. Review each item's ingredients for other allergens and contact us about specific needs.
- Why do some services tell celiac customers to ask their doctor?
- Individual medical and dietary requirements vary. Ask the provider what its facility and ingredient information supports, and take specific medical questions to your healthcare professional.
- Where can I order celiac-focused meals in the Tri-Cities?
- Choose an available pickup location or enter your address to check Tri-Cities home delivery and the applicable charge. Follow the instructions for your selected option. $30 flat-rate FedEx Ground shipping is available for eligible addresses. Confirm the destination at checkout; arrival timing depends on the destination and carrier conditions. Order at https://order.smashmeals.com.