How do I read the list of ingredients correctly?

Reading the ingredient list carefully is an important step when following a gluten-free diet. The easiest way to identify suitable products is to look for recognised gluten-free labels, such as the Crossed Grain symbol.
When choosing packaged foods, always check the ingredient list and allergen information. Pay particular attention to processed products such as sauces, spice blends, processed meats, desserts, ice cream, yoghurt and ready meals, as they may contain ingredients derived from gluten-containing cereals.
Food manufacturers are required to declare gluten-containing cereals used as ingredients according to applicable food labelling regulations. However, manufacturing practices vary, and some products may also carry precautionary statements such as "may contain gluten" or "may contain traces of gluten" to indicate a potential risk of cross-contamination.
If in doubt, choose products that are specifically labelled as gluten free and always refer to the product packaging for the most up-to-date ingredient and allergen information.