Are Allen's snakes gluten-free? An Essential Guide to Sweet Treats on a Gluten-Free Diet

November 6, 2025 •

4 min read

With an estimated 1 in 70 Australians living with coeliac disease, navigating sweet treats can be challenging, and a common question is: are Allen's snakes gluten-free? The direct answer is no, Allen's Snakes are not a safe option for those on a gluten-free diet due to containing wheat-based ingredients.

Quick Summary

Allen's Snakes contain wheat-based glucose syrup and are not gluten-free, making them unsuitable for those avoiding gluten. Careful label reading is essential, as gluten can hide in many processed candies and cross-contamination is a significant risk for celiacs.

Key Points

Allen's Snakes are not Gluten-Free: The ingredients explicitly list wheat-derived glucose syrup and gluten, making them unsafe for a gluten-free diet.
Hidden Gluten Sources: Many candies contain gluten in less obvious forms, such as malt extract or unspecified modified food starch.
Read Labels Carefully: Always check the ingredients list for allergens like wheat, rye, and barley, which must be emphasized under Australian law.
Beware of Cross-Contamination: Even if a product has no gluten ingredients, shared manufacturing equipment can introduce trace amounts. Look for certified 'gluten-free' labels.
Choose Certified Alternatives: Safely satisfy your sweet tooth by opting for brands that are known to be certified gluten-free, such as YumEarth or Jelly Belly.
Seek Professional Guidance: For coeliac disease, consulting a dietitian or healthcare professional is crucial for managing your diet and identifying safe products.

Why Allen's Snakes are not gluten-free

For many, a packet of Allen's Snakes is a nostalgic treat, but for individuals with coeliac disease or gluten sensitivity, they pose a significant health risk. The reason is clearly listed on the ingredients label: the use of wheat-derived products.

The primary culprit is glucose syrup, which for Allen's Snakes and many other Allen's lollies is derived from wheat. While some glucose syrups are processed to remove gluten to a safe level, Australian law still requires the declaration of the source if it is a major allergen like wheat. In the case of Allen's Snakes and Allen's Party Mix, the labels explicitly state 'Contains Wheat and Gluten'. This confirms they are not suitable for a strict gluten-free diet. This example serves as a critical reminder that a sweet, non-bread-like product can still contain hidden gluten.

Decoding food labels for a gluten-free diet

Becoming a meticulous label reader is one of the most important skills for anyone following a gluten-free diet. Australian allergen labeling laws require that common allergens, including wheat, be clearly declared. However, other sources of gluten can be less obvious.

Key ingredients to watch for

Wheat: This is the most common and obvious gluten source, but remember to look for its derivatives, such as wheat glucose syrup, wheat starch, wheat flour, and wheat protein.
Barley: Found in malt-based ingredients like malt extract, malt flavouring, and malt vinegar. Malt is a very common flavouring in confectioneries and cereals.
Rye: Less common but still a definite no-go. Rye is found in some breads and other baked goods.
Oats: While oats are naturally gluten-free, they are often processed in the same facilities as wheat, leading to cross-contamination. Only consume oats that are specifically labeled 'gluten-free' and certified by an organization like Coeliac UK.
Modified Food Starch: If it's derived from wheat, it should be listed, but always be cautious, especially in imported products.

Understanding cross-contamination risks

For people with coeliac disease, even trace amounts of gluten can trigger an immune response and damage the small intestine. This is where the risk of cross-contamination in manufacturing comes into play. A product may be made with naturally gluten-free ingredients, but if it is manufactured on shared equipment or in the same facility as gluten-containing products, it may not be safe.

Look for advisory statements such as “may contain traces of gluten”. The safest option is to choose products that carry a certified 'gluten-free' logo, as this indicates rigorous testing and production standards that minimize the risk of contamination. Reputable gluten-free certification programs ensure the product contains no more than 20 parts per million (ppm) of gluten, which is a safe level for most individuals with coeliac disease.

Gluten-free alternatives for your sweet cravings

There is a wide and growing market of delicious sweets that are safely gluten-free. Many brands specialise in allergen-friendly products, and even mainstream brands offer safe options. Always double-check the label, but here are some candies to consider:

YumEarth: This brand specializes in organic, allergy-friendly sweets, including lollipops and gummies, that are certified gluten-free.
Jelly Belly: The company confirms that all their jelly beans are gluten-free, though repackaged products from other facilities should be checked.
Smarties (U.S. version): The Smarties Candy Company states its candies are gluten-free and produced in dedicated gluten-free facilities.
Tootsie Roll Industries: The company produces a range of confections that are all considered gluten-free.
Cadbury Dairy Milk (Plain): In many regions, simple milk chocolate varieties are gluten-free, but always check the label for any added ingredients or potential cross-contamination warnings.

Comparison of Allen's Snakes vs. a certified gluten-free gummy


Feature	Allen's Snakes	Certified Gluten-Free Gummies (e.g., YumEarth)
Gluten Status	NOT Gluten-Free	Gluten-Free
Key Allergen	Contains Wheat, Gluten	No Wheat, Gluten, or common allergens
Ingredient Source	Glucose Syrup (Wheat or Corn)	Plant-based ingredients, such as agar-agar
Manufacturing	Produced in a facility that also handles gluten	Often produced in a dedicated, allergen-friendly facility
Labeling	Explicitly states 'Contains Wheat and Gluten'	Clearly labeled and often certified with a gluten-free logo
Cross-Contamination Risk	High due to shared equipment	Low to non-existent due to dedicated manufacturing

Conclusion: Prioritizing safety over snacks

The answer to "are Allen's snakes gluten-free?" is a clear and definitive no. For those managing a gluten-free diet, this serves as a perfect case study on the need for vigilance when selecting processed snacks. Hidden gluten, including wheat-derived glucose syrup and thickeners, can be found in seemingly harmless candies. By learning to read labels carefully, understanding the risks of cross-contamination, and exploring the many delicious certified gluten-free alternatives available, individuals can still enjoy sweet treats safely and without compromising their health. The golden rule remains: when in doubt, check the label, and when faced with a cross-contamination warning, opt for a safer, certified option.

For more information on coeliac disease and managing a gluten-free diet, consult resources like the Coeliac UK website or speak with a healthcare professional.

Frequently Asked Questions

Wheat glucose syrup is a type of glucose syrup derived from wheat starch. While the manufacturing process can remove much of the gluten, many companies, including Allen's, still list it as a gluten-containing ingredient, making the final product unsafe for those on a gluten-free diet.

No, not all gummy candies are gluten-free. As the Allen's Snakes example shows, some contain gluten-based thickeners or glucose syrup. Always read the label to check the ingredient list and look for a certified gluten-free label.

Cross-contamination is when gluten is unintentionally transferred from a gluten-containing product to a gluten-free product during the manufacturing process, often through shared equipment. This poses a serious risk for individuals with coeliac disease.

It is generally not recommended. Any amount of gluten can be harmful for those with a sensitivity, and for someone with coeliac disease, even trace amounts can cause damage. The safest course is to avoid products explicitly containing gluten.

For the highest certainty, look for products with a clear 'certified gluten-free' label. This indicates the product and its manufacturing process have met strict standards to ensure it contains less than 20 ppm of gluten, a level generally safe for celiacs.

While some Allen's products may use ingredients that are technically gluten-free, their explicit labeling indicates that they are not a reliable choice for those with celiac disease due to shared production lines and declared wheat-based ingredients in some popular items like Snakes and Party Mix.

Beyond sweets, hidden gluten can be in many processed foods, including sauces, marinades (like some soy sauces), salad dressings, and some soups. Always check the labels carefully, especially for derivatives like malt or modified food starch.