Mondelez launches first gluten-free Ritz crackers, 92 years after original
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In brief
Mondelez International introduced Ritz Gluten Free Crackers in the Original flavor on October 19, 2026, the first gluten-free product in the cracker brand's history. The 8-ounce boxes, priced at a suggested $4.49, began rolling out at Walmart and Albertsons, with nationwide distribution planned for February 2027.
Mondelez International announced on October 19, 2026, that its Ritz brand is releasing a gluten-free version of its Original crackers, the first gluten-free product the 92-year-old brand has ever made. The company said the launch responds to requests it has received from consumers "for years," according to the official press release distributed through GlobeNewswire.
What is launching and where
The new product, Ritz Gluten Free Crackers in Original Flavor, is sold in 8-ounce packages with a suggested retail price of $4.49. Mondelez said the crackers are certified gluten-free and contain no artificial colors or flavors, while aiming to replicate the "golden-baked, buttery" taste of the standard Ritz cracker, according to the press release.
Initial distribution began in October 2026 exclusively at Walmart and Albertsons stores, Yahoo Finance and Seeking Alpha reported, citing the company's announcement. Mondelez said it plans to expand availability to retailers nationwide by February 2027.
Why now
Olympia Portale, Senior Director of Core Crackers and Head of Savory Portfolio Strategy at Mondelez International, said in the press release that "RITZ is a modern brand built for today's shared moments, and our fans have been asking for a gluten free version for years." The company said gluten-free consumers have long wanted to include Ritz crackers at gatherings and in recipes such as casseroles.
RITZ is a modern brand built for today's shared moments, and our fans have been asking for a gluten free version for years.
— Olympia Portale, Senior Director of Core Crackers, Mondelez International
Mondelez's move follows gluten-free launches from other major snack brands earlier in 2026, including Cheez-It and Goldfish, according to a report from financial-research site GuruFocus that cited rising consumer demand for gluten-free snacks across the category.
Background on the brand
Ritz Crackers have been sold in the United States since 1934 and are owned by Mondelez International, the press release said. Until this launch, the brand had not offered a certified gluten-free version of its core cracker line, despite the long-running consumer requests the company referenced in its announcement.
What is not yet known
Mondelez's announcement and the news coverage reviewed did not specify the exact ingredients used to replace wheat flour in the gluten-free formulation, nor did they name the certifying body behind the "certified gluten free" label. It also remains unclear whether Mondelez plans to extend gluten-free versions to other Ritz flavors or related cracker products beyond the Original flavor.
Launch date: October 19, 2026, announced by Mondelez International
Product: Ritz Gluten Free Crackers, Original flavor only, 8 oz
Suggested price: $4.49 per box
Initial retailers: Walmart and Albertsons
Planned nationwide expansion: February 2027
First gluten-free product in Ritz's 92-year history
Questions
When did Ritz release gluten-free crackers?
Mondelez International announced the launch on October 19, 2026, with the crackers reaching Walmart and Albertsons stores that same month.
Where can I buy Ritz gluten-free crackers right now?
As of the October 2026 announcement, the product is sold exclusively at Walmart and Albertsons, with nationwide retail distribution planned for February 2027, according to Mondelez's press release.
How much do Ritz gluten-free crackers cost?
Mondelez set a suggested retail price of $4.49 for the 8-ounce package, per the company's official announcement.
Is this the first gluten-free Ritz product ever?
Yes. Mondelez describes it as the first-ever gluten-free product from the Ritz brand, which has sold crackers in the U.S. since 1934.
Are other snack brands also releasing gluten-free products?
Yes. According to a GuruFocus report, competitors including Cheez-It and Goldfish introduced gluten-free versions of their products earlier in 2026, ahead of the Ritz launch.
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