A Guide to What Candy is Celiac Safe

October 5, 2025 •

4 min read

With over 1% of the global population affected by celiac disease, navigating a strict gluten-free diet is a daily reality for many. The seemingly simple question of what candy is celiac safe? requires careful label-reading, as even popular treats can contain hidden gluten or be contaminated during manufacturing.

Quick Summary

This guide provides a comprehensive overview of which candies are safe for individuals with celiac disease, focusing on label interpretation, brand-specific examples, and the critical issue of cross-contamination.

Key Points

Read Labels Carefully: Always check the most current label for ingredients and allergen statements, as formulations and manufacturing practices can change.
Check for "Certified Gluten-Free": Look for this label to ensure the product has been tested and is safe from cross-contamination.
Beware of Seasonal and Different Shapes: Seasonal and novelty candy shapes of otherwise safe brands like Reese's can be produced on different, potentially contaminated, equipment.
Understand Cross-Contamination Risks: Be aware that many manufacturers use shared equipment, which can pose a risk even if a candy's ingredients are gluten-free.
Trust Manufacturer Information: Refer to company websites for their official lists of gluten-free products, like those provided by Hershey's and Tootsie Roll.
Avoid Wheat-Containing Candies: Candies with wafers, cookies, or barley malt, like Kit Kat and Twix, are not safe for those with celiac disease.

Navigating a Celiac-Safe Diet, One Candy at a Time

For individuals with celiac disease, consuming even trace amounts of gluten can trigger a severe immune response that damages the small intestine. This means that when it comes to satisfying a sweet craving, vigilance is not an option—it's a necessity. Gluten can be a tricky ingredient, appearing in unexpected places like modified food starch or flavoring. The key to successful, safe snacking lies in two main practices: thorough label reading and understanding the risks of cross-contamination during manufacturing.

The Critical Issue of Cross-Contamination

Cross-contamination is a primary concern for those with celiac disease. It happens when a gluten-free product comes into contact with a gluten-containing product, either through shared equipment, storage, or handling. Many candy manufacturers produce a wide range of products, some with gluten and some without, often using the same facility or production lines. Because of this, a candy that doesn't contain gluten ingredients might still pose a risk. For this reason, some companies like Mars-Wrigley will not label products as "gluten-free" even if no gluten ingredients are used, simply because of the shared manufacturing environment. The most cautious approach is to seek out products explicitly labeled as "gluten-free" or manufactured in dedicated gluten-free facilities.

Top Celiac-Safe Candy Brands and Products

Fortunately, there is a wide array of candy from major manufacturers that is considered safe for those with celiac disease. However, it is crucial to remember that ingredient formulations can change, so checking the most current information is always best.

Hershey's

Hershey's offers a helpful list of their gluten-free products on their website. Some notable safe options include:

Hershey's Milk Chocolate Bar: (1.55 oz. size only)
Hershey's Kisses: Standard Milk Chocolate, Hugs, Caramel-Filled, Special Dark, and Candy Cane varieties. Note: Seasonal variations and Cookies 'n' Creme are often NOT gluten-free.
Reese's Peanut Butter Cups: All standard-shaped versions are generally safe, but seasonal shapes (e.g., pumpkins, eggs) can be contaminated due to different manufacturing lines.
Other Hershey's items: Almond Joy, Heath bars, Mounds, PayDay, and York Peppermint Patties.

Tootsie Roll Industries

This is one of the most reliable companies for celiac-safe candy. They state on their website that all their confections are gluten-free, including their famous Tootsie Rolls and Tootsie Pops. Their products are made without any wheat, barley, rye, or oats.

Just Born

Known for seasonal favorites, Just Born offers several gluten-free candies, though cross-contamination is a possibility for some products made in shared facilities. Their website offers updated information. Some safe bets include:

Mike and Ike (most varieties)
Hot Tamales
Peeps

Spangler Candy

Spangler manufactures several candies on dedicated gluten-free equipment, making them a very safe choice for those with high sensitivity. Their safe options include:

Dum Dums
Saf-T-Pops
Candy Canes

Other Reliable Brands

Smarties: All products from the Smarties Candy Company in the US are gluten-free and manufactured in a gluten-free facility. Always check the UPC starts with "0 11206".
YumEarth: This brand specializes in organic, allergy-friendly sweets, with a wide range of certified gluten-free options.
Jelly Belly: All Jelly Belly beans are gluten-free, but be mindful of third-party repackaging which may introduce risks.

Reading Labels: More Than Just the Ingredients List

For those with celiac disease, a simple scan of the ingredient list is not enough. Here’s what you need to look for:

Certified Gluten-Free Label: This is the gold standard. Certification from organizations like the Gluten-Free Certification Organization (GFCO) means the product has been rigorously tested and contains less than 20 ppm of gluten.
Allergen Warnings: Always check the allergen list. Federal law requires manufacturers to disclose if a product contains wheat, but they are not required to disclose barley or rye.
Manufacturer’s Website: When in doubt, check the manufacturer's website for their official gluten-free product lists and allergen statements. Manufacturers like Hershey's and Tootsie Roll maintain these lists.
“May Contain” Statements: While not legally required, this warning indicates that the product was made on shared equipment and poses a risk for sensitive individuals.

Comparison of Popular Candies: Celiac-Safe vs. Not Safe


Candy	Status for Celiacs	Key Notes
Reese's Peanut Butter Cups	Safe (Regular shapes) / Not Safe (Seasonal shapes)	Seasonal shapes are often made on different, potentially contaminated equipment.
M&M's	Safe (Most varieties) / Not Safe (Crispy, Pretzel)	Contains risk of cross-contamination; always avoid crispy and pretzel varieties.
Snickers	Safe (Bar) / Not Safe (Ice Cream Bars)	Classic bars contain no gluten ingredients, but risk of cross-contamination exists. Ice cream bars are often unsafe.
Hershey's Kisses	Safe (Milk Chocolate, others) / Not Safe (Cookies 'n' Creme, others)	Many standard flavors are safe, but specialty varieties like Cookies 'n' Creme contain gluten.
Tootsie Rolls & Pops	Safe	Manufacturer confirms all confections are gluten-free and processed without gluten.
Kit Kat	Not Safe	Contains wheat flour.
Twix	Not Safe	Contains a wheat cookie layer.
Twizzlers	Not Safe	Made with wheat flour.

Conclusion: Navigating Your Sweet Path

For someone on a gluten-free diet, enjoying candy safely is all about being a diligent consumer. Start with brands that are explicitly labeled as certified gluten-free, like YumEarth, or manufacturers that clearly state their gluten-free status and dedicated equipment, like Spangler and Tootsie Roll Industries. When venturing into more complex brands like Hershey's or Mars-Wrigley, always double-check the label for specific product variations and be aware of potential cross-contamination. With the right knowledge and precautions, you can satisfy your candy cravings without compromising your health.

Visit the Celiac Disease Foundation for more resources on living gluten-free.

Frequently Asked Questions

Most M&M's varieties, such as Milk Chocolate and Peanut, do not contain gluten ingredients but are not certified gluten-free due to potential cross-contamination on shared equipment. Crispy and Pretzel M&M's should always be avoided.

The classic Snickers bar does not contain gluten ingredients, but Mars-Wrigley does not label it certified gluten-free due to manufacturing in shared facilities. Seasonal and ice cream versions may not be safe and should be avoided.

Standard Reese's Peanut Butter Cups are considered gluten-free. However, seasonal shapes like pumpkins or eggs are often produced on different equipment with a higher risk of cross-contamination and should be avoided unless specifically labeled otherwise.

A "may contain wheat" warning indicates that the product was made in a shared facility or on shared equipment with gluten-containing items. For highly sensitive individuals or those with celiac disease, this poses a significant risk of cross-contamination and the product should be avoided.

Many classic Hershey's Kisses are gluten-free, including Milk Chocolate, Caramel-Filled, Hugs, Special Dark, and Candy Cane varieties. However, flavors with added ingredients, such as Cookies 'n' Creme or Birthday Cake, are not safe.

Many fruity candies like Skittles, Starburst, and Swedish Fish are gluten-free by ingredients in the US. However, some brands of gummies can contain wheat-derived glucose syrup or be cross-contaminated, so checking the label is essential.

Yes, Tootsie Roll Industries states that all of their confections are gluten-free. They do not use any wheat, barley, rye, or oats, including for dusting their conveyor belts.