Understanding What Candies Are 100% Gluten-Free for Safe Snacking

October 4, 2025 •

4 min read

According to the Celiac Disease Foundation, a growing number of people require a gluten-free diet, making it more important than ever to know which treats are safe. Navigating the candy aisle to find out what candies are 100% gluten-free can be tricky, as ingredients and manufacturing practices vary widely between brands and even different flavors.

Quick Summary

This guide provides a definitive list of candy brands known for their 100% gluten-free production, details which popular candies are free of gluten ingredients but carry cross-contamination risks, and offers essential tips for verifying safety through proper label reading.

Key Points

Check Labels Carefully: Never assume a candy is gluten-free; always read the ingredient and allergen list on the package.
Prioritize Dedicated Facilities: For complete safety, choose brands like Tootsie Roll and certain Smarties varieties that use dedicated, gluten-free production equipment.
Be Wary of Cross-Contamination: Many brands with gluten-free ingredients (e.g., Just Born, Mars Wrigley) may still have a risk of cross-contamination due to shared manufacturing facilities.
Avoid Seasonal and Special Flavors: Seasonal candy shapes (like Reese's eggs) and certain varieties (like Crispy M&M's) often differ in production and may contain gluten.
Look for Certification Seals: A product bearing a 'Certified Gluten-Free' seal from an organization like GFCO offers the highest level of assurance.
Trust Speciality Brands: Brands like YumEarth and Enjoy Life specialize in allergen-free products and are reliable sources for safe candies.
Check Candy in Other Countries: Gluten-free status can vary by country (e.g., U.S. vs. Canadian Smarties), so always check local product labels.

The Importance of Verifying 100% Gluten-Free Claims

For individuals with celiac disease, even trace amounts of gluten can trigger a severe immune response. Therefore, simply checking an ingredient list isn’t always enough. Many manufacturers produce both gluten-containing and gluten-free items on the same equipment or in the same facility, risking cross-contamination. A product can be formulated with gluten-free ingredients but is not truly 100% gluten-free. For complete assurance, it is crucial to seek out candies from brands with dedicated, allergen-free production facilities or those with robust certification processes.

Brands with a Strong Guarantee of 100% Gluten-Free Production

Some candy companies go the extra mile by ensuring their products are made in dedicated, gluten-free facilities, making them a top choice for those with serious gluten sensitivities.

Tootsie Roll Industries

This company is a safe bet for many popular candies. All confections from Tootsie Roll Industries are confirmed gluten-free, including their famous Tootsie Rolls, Tootsie Pops, and Andes Mints. The company explicitly states that its equipment is free from gluten contamination.

Smarties Candy Company (US)

In the United States, all Smarties candies are not only gluten-free but are also produced in a facility that exclusively makes gluten-free products. To ensure you have a U.S.-made Smarties product, check that the UPC number on the packaging starts with "0 11206".

Spangler Candy Company

Known for classics like Dum Dums, Saf-T-Pops, and Spangler Candy Canes, Spangler provides a clear allergen statement on its packaging for products manufactured in its dedicated facility. Look for the UPC code starting with "0 30800" and the allergen statement on the bag for peace of mind.

Enjoy Life Foods

This brand specializes in allergy-friendly sweets that are certified gluten-free and free from 14 common allergens, including dairy, nuts, and soy. Their delicious chocolate bars and miniature versions are a great option for those with multiple dietary concerns.

YumEarth

Focusing on organic, allergy-friendly sweets, YumEarth produces a wide variety of certified gluten-free candies, including chews, gummies, and lollipops. Their products are made to be free from gluten and other top allergens.

Popular Candies with Gluten-Free Ingredients (Exercise Caution)

Many beloved candy brands offer options made without gluten-containing ingredients. However, they may be manufactured in shared facilities, posing a risk of cross-contamination for those with celiac disease. Always read the label and check the manufacturer's website for the most current information before consuming.

Hershey's: Many standard Hershey's products, including Almond Joy, Mounds, Milk Duds, PayDay, and standard-sized Hershey's Milk Chocolate bars, are on their gluten-free list. However, seasonal shapes and certain varieties can be manufactured on shared equipment, so verification is critical.
Reese's Peanut Butter Cups: Standard cups are gluten-free, but seasonal shapes like eggs and pumpkins are often made on shared equipment and should be avoided. Reese's Pieces are generally safe, but Reese's Pieces Eggs are not.
Just Born (Mike and Ike, Hot Tamales, Peeps): Most candies in this family are made without gluten ingredients, using cornstarch as a thickener. The company cautions that they may be processed in facilities that handle gluten-containing products, so check labels for the latest information.
Mars Wrigley (Skittles, Starburst, M&M's): While many products like Skittles and Starburst do not contain gluten ingredients, the company does not label them as certified gluten-free due to the risk of cross-contamination. Avoid Pretzel and Crispy M&M's, as they contain gluten.

Comparison of Gluten-Free Candy Options


Feature	Dedicated Gluten-Free Production (Safe for Celiac)	Gluten-Free Ingredients (Check Labels Carefully)
Certifications	Often bear a Gluten-Free Certification Organization (GFCO) symbol.	May not have a formal gluten-free certification.
Production Facility	Exclusively processes gluten-free ingredients to eliminate cross-contamination risk.	May share equipment or facilities with gluten-containing products.
Examples of Brands	Tootsie Roll, Smarties (US), Spangler (dedicated products), Enjoy Life, YumEarth.	Hershey's (most varieties), Reese's (standard cups), Mars Wrigley (Skittles, Starburst), Just Born (Mike and Ike, Peeps).
Consumer Advice	Excellent choice for those with high sensitivity.	Requires careful label reading and manufacturer verification, especially for seasonal items.

Conclusion: Navigating Your Gluten-Free Candy Choices

For those on a gluten-free diet, especially individuals with celiac disease, the search for safe candy requires diligence. While many popular brands offer delicious options made without gluten ingredients, the risk of cross-contamination can be a concern. Brands with dedicated production lines, like Tootsie Roll, Smarties (US), and the specially certified lines from Spangler, offer the highest level of assurance. For other major candy makers, checking for certifications, reading allergen statements, and being wary of seasonal variations is essential. By understanding the distinction between gluten-free ingredients and certified, dedicated-facility production, you can confidently choose candies that are truly 100% gluten-free for safe snacking.

For more detailed information, consult the list maintained by the Celiac Disease Foundation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, Tootsie Roll Industries confirms that all their confections, including Tootsie Rolls, Tootsie Pops, and Andes Mints, are gluten-free and produced on dedicated equipment, eliminating the risk of cross-contamination.

Standard Reese's Peanut Butter Cups are made with gluten-free ingredients, but seasonal shapes (like eggs and pumpkins) are often manufactured on shared equipment. For complete safety, it is best to stick to the standard cup varieties and check the allergen statement.

Mars Wrigley does not label its products as certified gluten-free due to potential cross-contamination. While plain and peanut M&M's are made with gluten-free ingredients, Crispy and Pretzel varieties contain gluten and must be avoided.

Smarties produced by the Smarties Candy Company in the U.S. are gluten-free and made in a dedicated gluten-free facility. Always check the UPC number to ensure it begins with “0 11206” to confirm it is a U.S. product.

Skittles and Starburst do not contain gluten ingredients. However, as Mars Wrigley does not certify them as gluten-free due to possible cross-contamination, those with severe gluten sensitivity should exercise caution or opt for certified brands.

Seasonal candies, even from brands with typically gluten-free products, are often made in different facilities or on different equipment. This increases the risk of cross-contamination with gluten.

Yes, brands like Enjoy Life and YumEarth specifically focus on producing candies that are free from gluten and other common allergens. They are reliable choices for those with multiple sensitivities.