Q: I saw a jar of dill pickles labeled "gluten free" at the grocery today. Help a senior citizen understand why this would be needed if there are no grains in the contents. Did I miss something?

— Dan Bear, Westerville

A: I hate to be the one to break it to you, but yes, you are missing something.

Some pickles are made with malt vinegar, which is produced from barley, a grain that can be problematic for those who can’t tolerate gluten.

Pickle manufacturers know this and label their products accordingly to attract the widest possible customer base.

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