The Same Pure Butter Taste, Minus the Gluten: Walkers Debuts Gluten Free Shortbread Line in the U.S.

HAUPPAUGE, N.Y., Jan. 8, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- For the first time in 116 years, Walkers Shortbread has adapted the traditional shortbread recipe fans across the world have come to know and love. Walkers now offers its first-ever Gluten Free Shortbread, providing an authentic shortbread for those who are gluten intolerant, or choose a gluten-free diet. The new line evolved from years of development to produce a pure buttery taste that founder Joseph Walker would have proudly served at his Scottish Highland village bakery. 

Close your eyes, bite in and see if you can tell the difference. Walkers Gluten Free line replaces wheat flour with a blend of rice flour, maize flour, and potato starch, while retaining the same butter and sugar content as the traditional shortbreads. As is Walkers custom, the cookies contain no artificial flavorings, colorings, or preservatives. Walkers promises the pure butter taste and texture you love, just without the gluten.

With approximately 2 million people in the U.S. suffering from celiac disease and 18 million with gluten sensitivity¹, the latest launch from Walkers demonstrates the brand's commitment to producing The World's Finest Shortbread, known for its simplicity and luxurious taste, for everyone to enjoy. The recipe has been fine-tuned to meet Walkers standards, giving gluten intolerant customers an introduction (or reintroduction) to the brand without compromising on taste.

The new gluten free line includes three shortbreads:

• Gluten Free Pure Butter Shortbread: The classic pure butter gluten free shortbread offers a crumbly "melt-in-your-mouth" texture and all butter taste.
• Gluten Free Chocolate Chip Shortbread: A generous helping of chocolate chips provides a rich and luxurious complement to this classic shortbread.
• Gluten Free Ginger & Lemon Shortbread: This crumbly shortbread combines the best of traditional Scottish baking with the exotic tang of Lemon and Stem Ginger.

"We are delighted to introduce a gluten free option to the Walkers Shortbread line, allowing everyone the opportunity to enjoy this delicious traditional treat without compromising on taste," said Jim Walker, Managing Director, Walkers Shortbread. "With so many now suffering from food intolerances, we feel it is important to create choices for all and are proud to have the unique offering of traditional shortbread, which is certified gluten free. With three different options, there really is something for everyone to enjoy."

With less than 20 parts per million of gluten, Walkers Gluten Free Shortbread meets the FDA standard for gluten free food, with every batch tested to ensure compliance before its release. The line contains no genetically modified ingredients or hydrogenated fats, and is vegetarian and Kosher OUD.

Established in 1898 in Aberlour, Scotland, family-owned Walkers Shortbread is the leading brand of food exported from Scotland, and remains committed to quality, with human eyes on every facet of the baking process, and using only the finest butter made from the milk of free-grazing, small herd cows. To this day, members of the Walker family gather in their bakery to taste test the latest ideas, with only those deemed finest approved for production.

Walkers Gluten Free Shortbread will appear at retailers across the country in the coming months and is available for purchase online at http://us.walkersshortbread.com/.

About Walkers Shortbread
Walkers was founded in 1898 and is still a family owned and managed company. We proudly bake The World's Finest Shortbread in our home village of Aberlour in the Scottish Highlands. Walkers is now sold in over 80 countries and is the leading brand of food exported from Scotland. Our shortbread, cookies and oatcakes contain no artificial flavorings, colorings or additives, and are certified Kosher OUD. Walkers does not support the use of GM ingredients. For more information, please visit http://us.walkersshortbread.com/.

¹ National Foundation for Celiac Awareness, 2014

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SOURCE Walkers Shortbread

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http://us.walkersshortbread.com

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