Are all Hershey's products gluten free?

December 8, 2025 •

4 min read

According to the National Institutes of Health, an estimated 2 million Americans have celiac disease, requiring a strictly gluten-free diet. While many assume basic chocolate is safe, the answer to whether all Hershey's products are gluten-free is a definitive no, making careful label reading essential for those with sensitivities.

Quick Summary

Many Hershey's products contain gluten, with production processes varying by candy type, flavor, and size. Consumers must meticulously check each package, as ingredients and cross-contamination risks change, and not all offerings from the brand are safe for a gluten-free diet.

Key Points

Label Verification: Always read the product label, as ingredients and manufacturing processes can change without notice.
Size Matters: Different sizes or seasonal shapes of the same Hershey's product can have different gluten statuses, so don't assume consistency across a product line.
Not All Dark is Safe: Hershey's Special Dark candy bars are not gluten-free, even though some Special Dark nuggets and cocoa varieties are.
Hidden Gluten: Ingredients like malt (Whoppers) and wheat flour (Kit Kat, Twizzlers) are clear gluten sources in certain products.
Safe Examples: Many classic options like original Reese's Peanut Butter Cups, Almond Joy, Mounds, and York Peppermint Patties are generally gluten-free.
Cross-Contamination Risk: Products not explicitly labeled gluten-free may be subject to cross-contamination from shared manufacturing equipment.
Trust Hershey's Site: The Hersheyland website is an authoritative source for their official gluten-free product lists.

Why the Assumption of Gluten-Free is Dangerous

It's a common misconception that since chocolate itself is naturally gluten-free, all chocolate candies would be safe. This is not the case, especially with a major corporation like Hershey's that manufactures a vast portfolio of products using various ingredients and in different facilities. The presence of wafers, malt, and cookie pieces in many popular Hershey's products immediately rules them out for anyone with celiac disease or a gluten sensitivity. Furthermore, cross-contamination is a significant risk, as many products are made on the same equipment or in shared facilities where gluten-containing items are also processed. A product that is gluten-free in one size may not be in another, and seasonal items are particularly notorious for manufacturing changes. This complexity means a simple assumption can lead to an uncomfortable and dangerous mistake.

Gluten-Free Hershey's Products to Enjoy

Despite the risks, many Hershey's products are safe for a gluten-free diet, and the company maintains an updated list on its website. Always verify the current label before purchasing, as formulas can change, but generally safe options include:

Reese's Peanut Butter Cups: Original flavor in all sizes, including Big Cup and Dark Chocolate varieties.
Reese's Pieces: Most sizes are gluten-free.
Hershey's Kisses: The standard Milk Chocolate and Special Dark varieties are typically safe, but avoid specialty flavors like Cookies 'n' Creme.
Almond Joy: The regular candy bars are gluten-free, but be cautious of any special 'Pieces' version.
Mounds: All sizes of Mounds candy bars are gluten-free.
PayDay: Original and King Size versions are gluten-free.
Rolo: The original creamy caramels in milk chocolate are gluten-free.
Skor: All Skor candy bars are gluten-free.
York Peppermint Patties: The classic patties in various sizes are safe.
Hershey's Cocoa: Both the regular and Special Dark 100% Cacao cocoa powders are listed as gluten-free.
Hershey's Syrups: The standard chocolate and caramel syrups are generally considered gluten-free.

Hershey's Products That Contain Gluten

For those on a gluten-free diet, avoiding specific Hershey's products is a necessity. These candies contain gluten ingredients like wheat flour or barley malt and pose a clear risk of cross-contamination. This list is not exhaustive, and the golden rule remains to check the label for current ingredient information.

Kit Kat: These bars contain a crispy wafer made with wheat flour.
Whoppers: The malted milk ball center contains malt, which is derived from barley and is not gluten-free.
Twizzlers: These candies are made with wheat flour and should be avoided.
Hershey's Mr. Goodbar: Despite not having obvious wheat ingredients, it is not listed as gluten-free by Hershey's and carries a cross-contamination risk.
Hershey's Krackle: This bar contains crisped rice, which often includes barley malt, and it is not considered gluten-free.
5th Avenue: Like Mr. Goodbar, it is not designated as gluten-free and poses a risk.
Seasonal Items: Many seasonal and holiday-shaped products, such as Reese's Easter eggs or pumpkins, may be made in different facilities or on shared lines, and are often not listed as gluten-free, even if the standard version is.

The Critical Importance of Reading Every Label

One of the most important takeaways for a gluten-free consumer is that a single brand's product is not universally safe across all its variations. This has been highlighted by reports from individuals with celiac disease who have had reactions to king-sized Hershey bars, while the smaller versions were fine. This is likely due to different manufacturing lines. The official Hersheyland website explicitly states, "Always refer to each package for current ingredients and allergen statements". This is the only way to be certain that what you are about to eat is truly safe for your dietary needs. Ingredient sourcing and production lines can change at any time, and relying on outdated information is a significant gamble.

Comparing Gluten-Free vs. Gluten-Containing Hershey's Products


Feature	Gluten-Free Hershey's Products	Gluten-Containing Hershey's Products
Ingredients	Typically contain a simple list of chocolate, sugar, nuts, and fillers known to be gluten-free.	Includes wheat, malt, or other gluten sources as a primary ingredient.
Labeling	Often includes a explicit 'Gluten-Free' statement on the package, especially on products like Hershey's cocoa.	Does not carry a 'Gluten-Free' label and may list wheat or other allergens explicitly.
Manufacturing	Made on dedicated or thoroughly cleaned equipment to minimize cross-contamination risks, especially for officially labeled products.	Produced on lines that also handle wheat, barley, and other gluten-containing ingredients.
Best Practice	Read the label every time, but generally safe to consume based on Hershey's lists and labeling.	Absolutely must be avoided by those with celiac disease or gluten sensitivities.
Example	Reese's Peanut Butter Cups, York Peppermint Patties, Mounds.	Kit Kat, Whoppers, Twizzlers.

Conclusion: Your Safest Bet

The short and critical answer is no, not all Hershey's products are gluten free. For individuals managing celiac disease or gluten sensitivity, the variability within the Hershey's brand makes it necessary to be vigilant. The only way to ensure safety is to check the ingredient label on every single product, every single time you purchase it. Relying on general brand knowledge is a dangerous practice, as different product lines, flavors, sizes, and manufacturing locations can all affect the gluten status. Fortunately, Hershey's does offer a selection of labeled gluten-free products, and their official website is a good resource for checking lists, but it should be supplemented with your own due diligence at the store shelf.

For a general overview of gluten-free options and guidelines, visit the Beyond Celiac website, but remember that manufacturers' websites and on-package labeling are the ultimate source of truth for specific products.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, the 1.55 oz standard size Hershey's Milk Chocolate bar is labeled gluten-free. However, larger bars or novelty versions might be produced on different lines, so checking the label is still recommended.

No. While the original cups are generally gluten-free, seasonal and novelty shapes are often not, due to being made on shared equipment. Always read the label on holiday items.

Products like Kit Kat, Whoppers, Twizzlers, and Mr. Goodbar contain gluten and should be avoided. The best practice is to always read the ingredients list.

No. Certain varieties, such as Cookies 'n Creme and Milk Chocolate with Almonds Kisses, contain gluten. Most standard milk chocolate Kisses are safe, but it's crucial to check the specific variety.

This depends entirely on the product. Hershey's Special Dark candy bars are not considered gluten-free, but Special Dark nuggets and cocoa powder are on Hershey's gluten-free list.

Regular Hershey's Chocolate Syrup and Caramel Syrup are typically listed as gluten-free. However, as with all products, verify the label for the most current information.

It is necessary because Hershey's uses different manufacturing facilities and lines for its diverse product range. This means ingredients, cross-contamination risks, and gluten-free status can vary significantly between different products, flavors, and sizes.

Not necessarily. Smaller or 'Fun Size' versions can sometimes be manufactured on different lines, and their gluten status can vary from the standard or larger sizes. Always check the specific packaging.