Shoppers avoiding gluten strictly
An ingredient list that appears free of gluten-containing cereals is not the same as an explicit gluten-free claim. Check the current carton before choosing a soya drink.
Who is this for?
Shoppers choosing an everyday soya drink
If you use soya drink for cereal, tea or cooking, compare the exact variant’s sugars per 100 ml, pack size and storage instructions rather than assuming all cartons are alike.
Shoppers looking for the Crossed Grain Trademark
If you want Coeliac UK’s independently audited certification mark in addition to a gluten-free statement, check for the mark on the particular product.
What should you check?
Establish the gluten-free evidence you need before comparing variants and pack formats.
| Priority | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Gluten-free wording | Look for an explicit claim on the current carton. The Food Standards Agency says the UK gluten-free claim means no more than 20 mg/kg of gluten in food as sold to the final consumer. | If I need to avoid gluten strictly, I do not want to infer suitability solely from an ingredient list. |
| Additional certification | Check the particular carton for Coeliac UK’s Crossed Grain Trademark. Coeliac UK says certified products undergo checks of gluten analysis certificates and independent manufacturing audits. | I may want the mark as an extra assurance. In Coeliac UK’s 2025 Shopping Habits survey, 74.7% of 3,785 member respondents said they trusted the Trademark more than a gluten-free statement, Coeliac UK reported in January 2026. |
| Variant and nutrition | Read the exact variant name and nutrition panel, including sugars per 100 ml. Alpro UK lists 2.5 g sugars per 100 ml for Soya Original; Waitrose lists 0 g per 100 ml for Alpro No Sugars. | For cereal or drinks, I want to choose between Original and No Sugars by their stated nutrition information and my taste preference. |
| Pack and storage | Confirm the quantity, whether the drink is chilled or long-life, its storage instructions and whether it is currently available. | A larger pack needs to fit how much I will use and where I can store it. |
Common buying mistakes
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Treating an ingredient list as gluten-free certification
Ingredients alone do not establish that a soya drink carries a gluten-free claim or Coeliac UK’s Crossed Grain Trademark.
Check the current carton for an explicit gluten-free statement. If you specifically want the Trademark, check for that separately.
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Assuming Original and No Sugars are interchangeable
Alpro UK lists 2.5 g sugars per 100 ml for Soya Original, while Waitrose lists 0 g per 100 ml for Alpro No Sugars.
Read the variant name and nutrition panel before choosing the formulation you prefer.
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Choosing a carton without checking availability
A listed product may not be orderable: Waitrose marked its Alpro Original long-life drink unavailable when its listing was checked.
Check current availability for the exact variant and pack you intend to buy.
Brands and retailers to compare
Alpro
Alpro UK describes Soya Original as gluten free. Waitrose also labels its Alpro No Sugars long-life listing gluten free; check the particular variant rather than extending either claim to every Alpro drink.
- Alpro UK lists 2.5 g sugars per 100 ml for Soya Original; Waitrose lists 0 g per 100 ml for Alpro No Sugars.
- A gluten-free statement does not, by itself, establish that the particular carton carries the Crossed Grain Trademark.
Tesco
Tesco’s Soya Drink Unsweetened listing provides ingredients for comparison, but the listed ingredients should not be treated as a gluten-free claim.
- The ingredient list helps identify the exact unsweetened product you are considering.
- For strict gluten avoidance, inspect the current carton for an explicit gluten-free statement before choosing it.
Waitrose & Partners
Waitrose’s listings describe both the Alpro No Sugars and Original long-life variants as gluten free.
- Its Alpro No Sugars listing also states 0 g sugars per 100 ml.
- Its Alpro Original listing was marked unavailable when checked; confirm current availability for the variant you want.
Soya drinks on Joybuy
These Alpro soya-drink options are presented for shoppers checking gluten-free wording; compare each exact carton’s variant and pack quantity before ordering.
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6 Alpro Soya Drink OG
The listing describes this drink as gluten free. Check the current carton for that wording and confirm the pack quantity suits how much you will use.
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6 Alpro Plant Protein 1L
The listing describes this variant as gluten free. Check the current carton for the claim, and compare its sugar information with any no-sugars variant you are considering.
Frequently asked questions
What does ‘gluten free’ mean on a UK soya-drink carton?
The Food Standards Agency says a gluten-free claim applies to food containing no more than 20 mg/kg of gluten as sold to the final consumer. ‘Very low gluten’ is a different designation, with a limit of 100 mg/kg.
Is a gluten-free statement the same as the Crossed Grain Trademark?
No. A gluten-free statement is a regulated claim; Coeliac UK’s Crossed Grain Trademark is an additional certification scheme involving checks of gluten analysis certificates and independent manufacturing audits. Check the particular carton if you want the mark.
Can Tesco Soya Drink Unsweetened be judged gluten free from its ingredients?
Do not rely on its online ingredient list alone for a strict gluten-free requirement. Inspect the current carton for an explicit gluten-free statement rather than inferring one from the listed ingredients.
How should I store a soya drink after opening?
Follow the instructions on the exact carton, including its refrigeration and use-within directions after opening. Also check whether the product is chilled or long-life, as that affects how you store it before opening.