Domino's offers gluten-free pizza -- but is it? - KMSP-TV

Domino's will begin offering gluten-free pizza crust at its restaurants, the company said Monday -- but those who live with celiac disease are already sounding the alarm.

Gluten sensitivity refers to a spectrum of disorders, including celiac disease and wheat allergy, where gluten -- a protein found in wheat and other grains -- has an adverse effect on the body, according to the National Institutes of Health.

The fast-food franchise is the first national pizza chain to offer a gluten-free option, but the company itself admitted their product is not recommended for those with celiac disease because the pizzas will be cooked on the same surfaces and in the same ovens as products with gluten. Therefore, the pizzas can't be completely gluten free -- a fact the company acknowledged in a release: 

"While Domino's new Gluten Free Crust is appropriate for those with mild gluten sensitivity, Domino's and the [National Foundation for Celiac Awareness] 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."

Still, the company's CEO hailed the step toward a gluten free option as a milestone.

"Many of our customers have asked for a gluten free crust, and Domino's is excited to offer a product to customers with mild gluten sensitivity," J. Patrick Doyle, Domino's Pizza president and CEO, said in a statement.

The restaurant's gluten-free crust will be available only in a small, 10-inch size pizza, and prices will vary by store location.