What Chocolate Bars Can Celiacs Have? A Gluten-Free Guide

October 21, 2025 •

4 min read

Over 50% of people with celiac disease report accidental gluten exposure, and hidden gluten in chocolate is a common culprit. This guide explores which chocolate bars can celiacs have by detailing safe brands, explaining labeling, and providing essential tips for avoiding cross-contamination.

Quick Summary

This guide provides a comprehensive list of chocolate bars and brands suitable for individuals with celiac disease. It outlines which products from major manufacturers are generally safe, highlights brands with dedicated gluten-free facilities, and explains the critical importance of reading labels for hidden gluten and cross-contamination risks.

Key Points

Check Labels and Certifications: Always look for an official gluten-free certification mark on packaging, especially when buying from mainstream brands that produce other gluten-containing products.
Beware of Cross-Contamination: Seasonal or holiday-shaped items from major brands like Reese's and Hershey's are often manufactured in different facilities and may not be safe, even if the standard version is.
Choose Dedicated Gluten-Free Facilities: For the highest level of safety, select brands like Enjoy Life that use dedicated gluten-free facilities and are free from many common allergens.
Confirm with Manufacturers: Because recipes and manufacturing practices can change, it's wise to double-check a product's gluten status with the manufacturer directly if you have any doubts.
Be Cautious with Mars Brands: Companies like Mars (maker of Snickers and M&M's) often do not label products as gluten-free due to cross-contamination risk, so consume with extreme caution or avoid if highly sensitive.
Rely on Specialty Brands: Specialty gluten-free companies like Schar provide safe, certified alternatives for popular chocolate bar types that may be off-limits otherwise.

The Gluten-Free Chocolate Dilemma

At its purest, unadulterated form, chocolate derived from the cocoa bean is naturally gluten-free. The issue arises when ingredients containing gluten, such as wheat flour, barley malt, or cookie pieces, are added to create variety and flavor. Furthermore, many large-scale manufacturers produce both gluten-containing and gluten-free products on the same equipment, which poses a high risk of cross-contamination for individuals with celiac disease. This is why simply checking the ingredients list isn't enough; understanding manufacturing processes and relying on certified products is crucial.

Key Considerations for Celiacs

To safely enjoy chocolate, celiacs must be vigilant shoppers. Gluten-free certification marks from organizations like the Gluten-Free Certification Organization (GFCO) are the most reliable indicator of safety, signifying that products meet strict standards. Additionally, products made in a dedicated gluten-free facility offer the highest level of safety by eliminating any risk of shared equipment contamination. A simple "gluten-free" claim on packaging is also helpful but should ideally be backed by research into the manufacturer's practices. Always read the most current label, as ingredients and manufacturing can change over time.

Trusted Mainstream Brands with Gluten-Free Options

Several major confectionery companies offer gluten-free products. While they don't produce exclusively gluten-free items, specific products are made without gluten ingredients and sometimes with careful manufacturing procedures.

Hershey's

Hershey's provides a list of its gluten-free products on its corporate website. Their standard, plain Milk Chocolate Bar (in certain sizes like 1.55oz) and Hershey's Kisses (not all varieties) are often on the safe list. Other safe options include Almond Joy (not the 'Pieces' variety), Mounds, Heath Bars, Milk Duds, and PayDay bars. However, the gluten status can vary by product size and type, so checking the label each time is vital.

Reese's Peanut Butter Cups

Standard Reese's Peanut Butter Cups are generally considered gluten-free. A critical point to remember is that seasonal or holiday-shaped items (e.g., eggs, pumpkins) are often made in different facilities and are not guaranteed to be gluten-free due to potential cross-contamination.

Snickers

The original Snickers bar is often listed as a gluten-free option. However, the company, Mars Wrigley, has a policy of not labeling products as gluten-free due to the risk of cross-contamination in their facilities. While many celiacs safely consume them, highly sensitive individuals may choose to avoid them or proceed with caution. Other Mars products, like original M&M's (excluding pretzel or crispy versions), also fall into this 'consume with caution' category.

Cadbury (UK/Ireland)

For those in the UK and Ireland, Cadbury offers many gluten-free products. Many of their simpler bars, like Crunchie, Twirl, Flake, and Fudge, are gluten-free. However, this is not true for all Cadbury products, especially those containing wafers or biscuit pieces. Always check the specific packaging for the most current allergen information, as practices and formulations can change.

Dedicated Gluten-Free and Specialty Brands

For maximum safety and peace of mind, choosing brands that use dedicated gluten-free facilities is the best approach.

Enjoy Life Foods

Enjoy Life is a well-known brand for allergy-friendly and gluten-free products, including chocolate bars and baking chips. Their products are made in a dedicated gluten-free facility and are free from many common allergens, making them one of the safest options available.

Endangered Species Chocolate

This brand offers a range of certified gluten-free chocolate bars, many of which are also organic and fair trade certified. They are a great choice for quality and safety.

Lily's Chocolate

Lily's offers several certified gluten-free chocolate bars sweetened with stevia, providing a no-sugar-added option for those watching their sugar intake.

Schar

As a specialty gluten-free brand, Schar offers a Twin Bar wafer-covered chocolate, which is a great alternative for those who miss mainstream wafer-filled bars. This is one example of how specialty brands can fill the void left by conventional products.

Comparison of Gluten-Free Chocolate Brands


Brand	Gluten-Free Status	Key Considerations	Notes
Hershey's	Many products are GF by ingredient, some labeled.	Check individual product size and label. Cross-contamination risk exists for non-labeled items.	Avoid seasonal shapes and smaller 'pieces' varieties unless labeled.
Reese's	Standard peanut butter cups are GF by ingredient.	Avoid seasonal and holiday shapes. Risk of cross-contamination in other factories.	A popular and generally safe option for standard cups.
Snickers	Original bar is GF by ingredients, but company policy doesn't label as GF.	Mars does not guarantee GF status. Best for those with low sensitivity or who accept the risk.	Check labels carefully, especially for new products.
Enjoy Life	Certified GF. Dedicated GF facility.	Highest safety for celiacs, especially those with other allergies.	Wide variety of chocolate bars and chips available.
Endangered Species	Certified GF.	High-quality, safe option with a good range of flavors.	Often found in natural food sections.
Schar	Certified GF.	Specialty product, offers alternatives like wafer bars.	Excellent for specific cravings conventional brands can't satisfy.

Conclusion: Enjoying Chocolate Safely

While the search for safe chocolate requires vigilance, a delicious and satisfying gluten-free chocolate bar is within reach. The key is to never assume a product is safe without confirmation. Prioritize brands with dedicated gluten-free facilities, like Enjoy Life, for maximum safety. When considering mainstream options, rely only on products explicitly listed as gluten-free by the manufacturer, and always check the packaging for the most current information and potential 'may contain' warnings. By following these guidelines, you can safely indulge your chocolate cravings without compromising your health.

For more information on safe practices, you can consult resources from the Celiac Disease Foundation: https://celiac.org/.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, not all chocolate is gluten-free. While pure chocolate is naturally gluten-free, many chocolate bars contain added ingredients like malt, wafers, or cookie pieces that contain gluten. It is essential to check the ingredient list and for cross-contamination warnings.

Standard, ridge-edged Reese's Peanut Butter Cups are generally considered safe for celiacs. However, seasonal shapes like eggs and pumpkins should be avoided, as they are often made in different facilities with a high risk of cross-contamination.

Original Snickers bars are made without gluten-containing ingredients, but manufacturer Mars does not certify them as gluten-free due to a risk of cross-contamination in their shared facilities. Highly sensitive individuals may want to avoid them, while others may choose to consume them with caution.

The safest chocolates for celiacs are those that are certified gluten-free and made in a dedicated gluten-free facility. Brands like Enjoy Life and Endangered Species Chocolate are excellent options that prioritize allergen-free production.

A 'may contain' warning on a chocolate bar indicates that it was manufactured on shared equipment or in a shared facility with products that do contain gluten. For individuals with celiac disease, especially those who are highly sensitive, these products should be avoided.

Many varieties of Lindt chocolate are not gluten-free and carry a high risk of cross-contamination. A previous company statement indicates shared production lines, meaning even varieties without gluten ingredients may not be safe for celiacs. It is best to avoid Lindt products unless a specific product is certified gluten-free.

Most standard M&M's varieties do not contain gluten ingredients, but manufacturer Mars does not guarantee or label them as gluten-free due to cross-contamination concerns in their production facilities. Pretzel M&M's and certain seasonal items are not safe.