Are Maynards Bassetts Sports Mix gluten free?

November 21, 2025 •

4 min read

According to the official ingredients list, Maynards Bassetts Sports Mix carries a 'May Contain Wheat' warning, meaning they are not considered safe for those following a strict gluten-free diet. While the main ingredients do not contain wheat, the risk of cross-contamination during manufacturing makes them unsuitable for individuals with coeliac disease. This warning is a critical piece of information for anyone managing a gluten sensitivity or allergy.

Quick Summary

Maynards Bassetts Sports Mix is not suitable for a gluten-free diet due to a 'May Contain Wheat' allergen warning. The presence of this cross-contamination risk makes the chewy sweets unsafe for those with coeliac disease or gluten intolerance. Reading labels is crucial for finding safe alternatives.

Key Points

Not Safe for Coeliacs: Maynards Bassetts Sports Mix carries a 'May Contain Wheat' warning, making it unsuitable for a strict gluten-free diet.
Cross-Contamination Risk: The warning indicates a risk of cross-contamination with wheat in the manufacturing process.
Ingredients vs. Process: While the core ingredients like gelatine are naturally gluten-free, the processing environment is the source of the gluten risk.
Alternatives Exist: Safe, certified gluten-free alternatives are widely available from other brands like Jelly Belly and certain Haribo products.
Check All Labels: Always check product labels and allergen information carefully, as some sweets within the same brand may vary in gluten content.

Understanding the 'May Contain Wheat' Warning on Maynards Bassetts Sports Mix

For those with coeliac disease, gluten intolerance, or a wheat allergy, reading labels for potential allergens is a daily necessity. The question, "Are Maynards Bassetts Sports Mix gluten free?" is a common one, and the answer requires a careful look at the official allergen information. Despite not having wheat or gluten as a direct ingredient, the packaging includes a critical 'May Contain Wheat' warning. This is not a suggestion but a serious advisory from the manufacturer. It indicates that the product is made in a facility or on shared equipment that also handles wheat, creating a high risk of cross-contamination.

For someone with coeliac disease, even trace amounts of gluten can trigger a severe autoimmune response. Therefore, any product with a 'May Contain' warning should be avoided. The presence of this warning is a direct signal that the item is not safe for a strict gluten-free diet. This is a different scenario from sweets that are naturally gluten-free but do not carry a certified label; in the case of Sports Mix, the risk is explicitly stated. For safe consumption, individuals should only choose products that are either naturally free from gluten ingredients or, ideally, carry an official gluten-free certification logo.

Deconstructing the Sports Mix Ingredients

To further understand why the 'May Contain Wheat' warning is present, we can look at the typical ingredients found in Maynards Bassetts Sports Mix. The primary components are glucose syrup, sugar, starch, and gelatine. While ingredients like glucose syrup and starch can be derived from gluten-containing sources like wheat, they are often processed to the point where gluten levels are below the 20 ppm (parts per million) threshold required for a product to be considered gluten-free. However, the 'May Contain' warning supersedes this, indicating that the processing and manufacturing environment itself introduces a risk.

Gelatine: Sourced from animal tissue, gelatine is naturally gluten-free. However, this does not eliminate the risk from other components or from cross-contamination.
Glucose Syrup: As mentioned, this can be derived from wheat but is generally considered safe if highly processed. The issue for Sports Mix is the facility, not necessarily this ingredient itself.
Colours and Flavourings: These additives are also assessed for their gluten status, but again, the overriding factory warning is the most critical piece of information for coeliacs.

Comparing Maynards Bassetts Sweets: A Gluten-Free Perspective


Sweet Product	Is it Gluten Free?	Key Reason	Safe for Coeliacs?	Source of Information
Sports Mix	No	"May Contain Wheat" warning due to cross-contamination risk.	No	Ocado, British Essentials
Wine Gums	No	Contains gluten and not suitable for coeliac disease.	No	A Quarter Of
Jelly Babies	Yes	No gluten-containing ingredients listed; considered safe.	Yes	A Quarter Of
Murray Mints	Yes	Explicitly marketed as gluten-free.	Yes	Amazon UK
Liquorice Allsorts	No	Contains gluten and wheat ingredients.	No	Spoonful

Alternatives to Sports Mix for a Gluten-Free Diet

For those seeking a gluten-free chewy sweet, several alternatives exist that do not carry the same risk of cross-contamination as Maynards Bassetts Sports Mix. The market for certified gluten-free confectionery has expanded significantly, offering numerous options for safe snacking.

Jelly Beans: Many brands, such as Jelly Belly, are certified gluten-free and manufactured in dedicated facilities. Always check the specific packaging to be certain.
Fruit Snacks & Gummies: Brands like Swedish Fish, Sour Patch Kids, and certain versions of Haribo gummies (specifically the U.S. versions or those carrying a GF label) are often suitable for a gluten-free diet. Be aware that some gummies, especially in the UK or Europe, may use wheat starch.
Other Certified Sweets: Explore specialty gluten-free brands or check websites like MPS Candy and Silky Gem for their gluten-free offerings. Many brands now clearly label their products with a certified gluten-free logo.

The Importance of Due Diligence and Labelling

The final word on Maynards Bassetts Sports Mix is a reminder that the responsibility lies with the consumer to verify the safety of their food. Manufacturers' warnings, such as the 'May Contain Wheat' on Sports Mix, are there for a reason and should not be ignored. The gluten-free status of sweets can vary between brands, product lines, and even countries. For example, a product considered safe in the U.S. might be unsafe in the UK due to different manufacturing processes or ingredient sourcing. Always scrutinize labels for ingredients like wheat, barley, or rye, and look for official gluten-free certification symbols. When in doubt, it's safest to contact the manufacturer directly or opt for products you know are from a reliable, certified gluten-free source. For more comprehensive information on safe food choices, reliable organizations like Coeliac Australia and the National Celiac Association offer excellent resources.

Conclusion

In summary, Maynards Bassetts Sports Mix are not suitable for individuals with coeliac disease or a gluten intolerance because the packaging carries a "May Contain Wheat" warning. This indicates a risk of cross-contamination during manufacturing, making them unsafe despite the absence of wheat in the main ingredients. For a genuinely gluten-free sweet, consumers should seek out products with certified gluten-free labeling or stick to brands explicitly marketed as safe. There are plenty of delicious and safe alternatives available for those who need to adhere to a strict gluten-free diet.

How to Safely Shop for Gluten-Free Sweets

When shopping for gluten-free sweets, always follow a few simple rules:

Read the label carefully: Even if a sweet seems inherently gluten-free, always check the ingredients list and allergen warnings.
Look for certified labels: An official gluten-free certification logo is the most reliable indicator of a safe product.
Be aware of variants: Some sweets from the same brand may be gluten-free while others are not, as is the case with some Haribo products.
Research online: Check for information from coeliac support groups or official food allergen websites.
Contact the manufacturer: If you are unsure, reach out to the company's customer service for clarification on their manufacturing practices.

Frequently Asked Questions

Maynards Bassetts Sports Mix are not considered gluten-free because the packaging explicitly states, 'May Contain Wheat'. This allergen warning indicates that even though wheat is not a main ingredient, the sweets are produced in a facility where cross-contamination is a risk, making them unsafe for those with coeliac disease.

No, people with coeliac disease should not eat Maynards Bassetts Sports Mix. The 'May Contain Wheat' warning means there is a risk of gluten presence due to shared production equipment, and even tiny amounts of gluten can cause a reaction.

It depends on the specific product. While Sports Mix and Wine Gums are not gluten-free, some other sweets like Maynards Bassetts Jelly Babies and Murray Mints are considered gluten-free. Always check the specific product's ingredients and allergen warnings, as they can differ.

A 'Contains' warning indicates that the ingredient is intentionally added to the product. A 'May Contain' warning signifies that while the ingredient is not in the recipe, there is a risk of accidental cross-contamination during manufacturing. For a coeliac, both warnings mean the product is unsafe.

Yes, many gluten-free alternatives exist. Some popular options include many brands of jelly beans, Swedish Fish, Sour Patch Kids, and specific versions of Haribo gummies, especially those certified in the US. Always check the packaging for certification or allergen warnings.

Yes, highly processed glucose syrup derived from wheat is generally considered safe, as the refining process removes gluten. However, the 'May Contain Wheat' warning on Sports Mix is separate from this ingredient and indicates a cross-contamination risk from the facility, not the glucose syrup itself.

To be certain, look for products that are either certified gluten-free by a recognized organization or have a 'gluten-free' label supported by rigorous testing. Relying solely on the ingredients list can be risky due to potential cross-contamination.

In most countries, including the US and UK, a product can be labeled gluten-free if it contains less than 20 parts per million (ppm) of gluten. This level is considered safe for most individuals with coeliac disease.