UPDATE: August 8, 2017 at 2:00 p.m.
Bad news for the Papa John's lovers excited by the new gluten-free pizza. The company has just gone on record saying that those with gluten sensitivities like celiac disease should probably avoid this pizza.
The crust itself is gluten-free. With quinoa, sorghum, teff, amaranth, and a completely separate processing facility, Papa Johns headquarters have tried to ensure that contamination is kept at a minimum. The issue is, when the product gets to the store, there is no way to be certain that employees keep the crust separate from products with gluten.
The company told CNBC: "Although Papa John's Ancient Grains Gluten-Free Crust is gluten-free and Papa John's employs procedures to prevent contact with gluten, it is possible that a pizza with Papa John's Ancient Grains Gluten-Free Crust is exposed to gluten during the ordinary preparation process ... Please use your best judgment in ordering a pizza with Papa John's Ancient Grains Gluten-Free Crust if you have a sensitivity to gluten."
ORIGINAL POST: July 31, 2017 at 3:55 p.m.
While some companies have set their sights on gluten-excessive pizza, like Pizza Hut's Mac 'N' Cheese Stuffed Crust, Papa John's has done just the opposite. The chain's taking a step toward expanding its consumer base by adding items for those with diet restrictions to its menu, creating pizzas with a gluten-free crust.
Back in April, the company started testing out the pies in a few locations across the country. Clearly, the trial run was a success, because the pizza giant is going to start rolling out the new crusts nationwide, starting Aug. 7. In a sense, Papa John's is keeping up with the Joneses — or rather, the Domino's. The rival chain has been offering gluten-free options on the menu since 2012.
Though Papa John's crust is gluten-free — and it's prepared ahead of time in a separate, gluten-free plant before being shipped to stores — the brand doesn't recommend its crust for customers with Celiac Disease or serious gluten intolerances. That's because the pie could get exposed to gluten in the store, as part of the pizza-making process, according to a press release.
We got an exclusive first look at the product, and the pizza is getting some mixed reviews. Here are the four pies we tried:
The crust itself is thin and stiff, unlike the pillowy kind you'd normally associate with Papa John's, which spurred the most scorn. One compared it to a carpet, and another said the texture and style reminded them of the Totino's frozen pies they ate as a kid. However, some lauded its overall lack of greasiness, and how the meal felt lighter than the typical delivery pizza.
So we welcome these attempts to provide food for all.
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