Are Brach's candy Hearts gluten-free? A Look at Cross-Contamination Risks

October 21, 2025 •

4 min read

Millions of Brach's candy hearts are exchanged every Valentine's Day, but for those with celiac disease or a gluten sensitivity, their safety is a serious concern. It is crucial to understand that while Brach's candy hearts do not list wheat as an ingredient, they are manufactured and packaged in facilities that process wheat-containing products, creating a significant risk of gluten cross-contamination.

Quick Summary

Brach's candy hearts contain no gluten ingredients, but they are not considered safe for a gluten-free diet because they are processed in shared facilities with wheat products, leading to cross-contamination concerns.

Key Points

Not Gluten-Free: Brach's candy hearts are not safe for a gluten-free diet due to cross-contamination risk, despite not listing gluten-containing ingredients.
Shared Facility Risk: The manufacturer, Ferrara Candy Company, explicitly states that these candies are produced and packaged in facilities that also handle wheat.
Ferrara's Labeling: Look for "MADE IN" statements on the packaging, which indicate the presence of allergens like wheat in the manufacturing facility.
Spangler Sweethearts: The original conversation hearts from Spangler are often considered a safer alternative, but always check their specific packaging for a gluten-free claim.
Safe Alternatives: Consider certified gluten-free options from brands like Yum Earth or verified gluten-free candies like plain Hershey's Kisses to ensure safety.
Always Verify: For any product, seasonal or otherwise, always read the most up-to-date packaging information and confirm with the manufacturer if needed before consuming.

For anyone managing celiac disease or a non-celiac gluten sensitivity, vigilance is key when it comes to seasonal treats like Brach's candy hearts. Despite the apparent simplicity of the ingredients, a closer look reveals potential risks that make these candies unsuitable for a truly gluten-free diet. The core issue is not the ingredients themselves but the manufacturing environment, specifically the risk of cross-contamination in the production facility.

The Cross-Contamination Issue Explained

Brach's is owned by Ferrara Candy Company, which produces a wide array of confectionery products, some of which contain wheat. According to Ferrara's own allergen labeling policies, as confirmed by third-party research, they will place a "MADE IN" statement on products to indicate that they are made in facilities that also handle major allergens like wheat, even if the allergen is not an ingredient. Several varieties of Brach's conversation hearts and wisecracks carry this warning, confirming that the potential for cross-contact with wheat exists.

This is a critical distinction for the gluten-free community. For someone with a severe gluten intolerance or celiac disease, even trace amounts of gluten can trigger an adverse reaction. Therefore, relying solely on an ingredients list that does not explicitly name wheat is insufficient, and the presence of a "MADE IN" or similar cross-contamination warning is a definitive reason to avoid the product.

Brach's Candy Heart Ingredient Breakdown

To illustrate the labeling ambiguity, let's examine the common ingredients found in Brach's conversation hearts:

Sugar: The primary ingredient, offering sweetness.
Corn Syrup & Dextrose: Corn-based sweeteners, which are naturally gluten-free.
Gelatin: A protein derived from animal products, not a source of gluten.
Glycerin: A sugar alcohol often used as a humectant.
Artificial Flavors & Colors: These additives are generally gluten-free, but it is wise to be cautious as the sourcing of these ingredients can sometimes introduce risk.
Tragacanth Gum: A plant-based gum used as a thickener, which is also gluten-free.

While this list appears harmless on its own, it is the fine print about the shared manufacturing facilities that disqualifies these candies for many on a gluten-free diet.

Comparing Brach's and Spangler Sweethearts

For those seeking a safer alternative, it is helpful to compare Brach's with the other major brand of conversation hearts, Spangler Sweethearts.


Feature	Brach's Candy Hearts (by Ferrara)	Spangler Sweethearts	Note
Gluten Ingredients	No listed gluten ingredients	No listed gluten ingredients	Both appear to have gluten-free ingredients.
Cross-Contamination Risk	High; manufactured/packaged in facilities that also handle wheat.	Lower; Spangler's website often claims they are gluten-free, though verification is recommended.	Spangler makes a gluten-free claim, while Ferrara indicates shared equipment.
Overall Safety for Celiac	Not recommended due to shared equipment risk.	Better option, but always verify packaging for the latest information.	Spangler is a more trusted choice for many gluten-free consumers.

Finding Safe, Certified Alternatives

Given the uncertainty with Brach's, it's safer to seek out alternatives that are either certified gluten-free or come from dedicated facilities. The market has many excellent options for Valentine's Day and year-round treats. Here is a list of some reliable choices:

Spangler Sweethearts: The website and some packaging indicate they are gluten-free. Always check the label for the most current information.
Yum Earth: Known for its certified gluten-free, organic candy, Yum Earth offers a variety of products, though some are produced on shared equipment, so look for the certification mark.
Skittles: As of recent reviews, Skittles ingredients do not contain gluten, but cross-contamination is a potential issue, so always check the label.
Smarties: In the US, Smarties are considered gluten-free and vegan, made in a gluten-free facility.
Hershey's Kisses: The plain milk chocolate Kisses are deemed gluten-free by Hershey's, including the seasonal wrapped ones.

Conclusion: Read Labels, Exercise Caution

In summary, while Brach's candy hearts do not list any gluten-containing ingredients, they are not a safe choice for those with celiac disease or significant gluten sensitivities because they are made in shared facilities with products that do contain wheat. The risk of cross-contamination is a dealbreaker. For a safe and enjoyable holiday, it is always recommended to opt for brands that are transparent about their manufacturing processes and, ideally, are certified gluten-free. Always check the most recent packaging for allergen statements and research the manufacturer's practices to ensure your health and safety.

For more information on the manufacturer's allergen policy, visit Ferrara's official website at Ferrara Candy FAQs.

What to Look for on the Label

To ensure a product is safe, look for these key elements on the packaging:

Explicit Gluten-Free Claims: A "Certified Gluten-Free" logo from a reputable organization like GFCO is the gold standard.
No Cross-Contamination Warnings: Check for statements like "Manufactured in a facility that also processes wheat" or "Made on shared equipment with wheat".
Simple Ingredients: Products with a minimal and uncomplicated ingredients list, like pure chocolates or hard candies, are often safer.

Frequently Asked Questions

They are not considered gluten-free because the candy is manufactured and packaged in shared facilities where products containing wheat are also made, posing a high risk of cross-contamination.

Yes, Spangler's Sweethearts are often labeled as or marketed as gluten-free, making them a generally safer option than Brach's, but always verify the packaging.

A 'CONTAINS' statement indicates an allergen is an explicit ingredient, while a 'MADE IN' statement warns of potential cross-contamination because the product is made in a facility that also processes that allergen.

Not all, but many Brach's candies, especially seasonal ones like the candy hearts, are subject to cross-contamination risk. The company does not maintain a general gluten-free list, so checking each product's specific allergen statement is essential.

Yes, varieties like the Tiny and Wisecracks conversation hearts are all manufactured by Ferrara and have been noted to carry the same facility-based cross-contamination risk as the standard hearts.

Many brands offer safe options, but you must check labels. Some possibilities include plain Hershey's Kisses, certain M&M's varieties, and certified gluten-free options from brands like Yum Earth.

No, for those with celiac disease, you should never rely on the ingredients list alone. The risk of cross-contamination in shared facilities is a serious concern, so always check for explicit gluten-free certification or allergen warnings.