By Lew Kizer — 2026-10-21 — Product News
The short answer
On October 19, 2026, Mondelēz International announced RITZ Gluten Free Crackers in Original flavor, a certified gluten-free version of Ritz. An 8-ounce box has a suggested retail price of $4.49. They are sold at Walmart and Albertsons starting in October 2026, with nationwide expansion planned for February 2027. The announcement did not name the certifying organization.
Key facts
- Announced Oct. 19, 2026 by Mondelēz International in East Hanover, N.J.
- Product: RITZ Gluten Free Crackers, Original flavor, described as certified gluten-free.
- Size and price: 8 oz box, $4.49 suggested retail price.
- Launch retailers: Walmart and Albertsons, starting October 2026.
- Nationwide expansion planned for February 2027.
- The release did not name the certifying body or a ppm threshold.
KINGSPORT, Tenn., Oct. 21, 2026 — One of the most familiar crackers in America now comes in a gluten-free version. On October 19, Mondelēz International announced RITZ Gluten Free Crackers in Original flavor.
The details
| Detail | What Mondelēz announced |
|---|---|
| Product | RITZ Gluten Free Crackers, Original flavor |
| Claim | Certified gluten-free; no artificial colors or flavors |
| Size and price | 8 oz, $4.49 suggested retail |
| Where | Walmart and Albertsons from October 2026 |
| Nationwide | February 2027 |
Olympia Portale, Senior Director of Core Crackers at Mondelēz, said “our fans have been asking for a gluten free version for years.”
What “certified gluten-free” means
Under the FDA's rule, any food labeled gluten-free must contain less than 20 parts per million (ppm) of gluten. Certification is a separate, voluntary step in which an outside program audits the plant and tests products. Some programs set a stricter limit; the Gluten-Free Certification Organization, for example, requires 10 ppm or less. The Ritz announcement did not say which program certified the crackers, so look for the certification mark on the box.
Our new guide, certified gluten-free labels explained, walks through what each mark promises.
The shelf problem
Big brands bring gluten-free foods to more stores and more budgets. They also create a new mistake to avoid: grabbing the regular box. Recalls this fall showed that even certified ingredients can go wrong, which is why a label check every time still matters.
“There's never a question. There's never a worry. We want people to have good, delicious, nutritious, macro-counted food — and none of the guesswork.” — Lew Kizer, Founder, SmashMeals
See our gluten-free standards, or browse this week's meals.
Commentary, not medical advice
The SmashMeals perspective
Every time a big brand makes a gluten-free version of a familiar food, someone with celiac disease gets a little bit of normal back. That is good news. The catch is that the regular box and the gluten-free box share a name, a color and a shelf. Read the front and the back every time, and teach the rest of the house to do the same. In our kitchen there is only one version of everything, and it is gluten-free.
Frequently asked questions
Are the new Ritz crackers gluten-free?
Mondelēz describes RITZ Gluten Free Crackers in Original flavor as certified gluten-free. Regular Ritz crackers contain wheat. Check that the box says gluten-free before buying.
Where can I buy gluten-free Ritz crackers?
At launch in October 2026 they are sold at Walmart and Albertsons. Mondelēz plans nationwide expansion in February 2027.
How much do gluten-free Ritz crackers cost?
The suggested retail price is $4.49 for an 8-ounce box. Store prices may vary.
Sources and credits
Follow the original sources for context and verification. A reference is not an endorsement of SmashMeals.
- RITZ brand introduces gluten free crackers in Original flavor (opens in a new tab)
Mondelēz International release via StockTitan
Why it matters: The company announcement with price, retailers and dates.
- Ritz Crackers launch gluten-free version for first time (opens in a new tab)
NBC DFW
Why it matters: Independent news coverage of the launch.
- Gluten-Free Certification Organization (GFCO) (opens in a new tab)
SGS
Why it matters: Explains one major certification program's 10 ppm standard.