SweeTarts are an iconic candy that we all grew up with. They are both sweet and tart and fun to eat. Before buying a bag of SweeTarts, it is important to know if they are safe for gluten-free people. Are SweeTarts gluten free?
What Are SweeTarts?
SweeTarts are a popular candy that is both sweet and tart. They are manufactured by Ferrero International S.A., which is the second-largest candy manufacturer in the world. (This company also manufactures Nutella; you can read Is Nutella Gluten Free for more information on that product.)
Answer: Are SweeTarts Gluten Free?
As with many products I have reviewed…the answer is it depends. SweeTarts do not contain any gluten ingredients. Whether they are safe for you to eat depends on your gluten sensitivity level and whether you have celiac disease.
SweeTarts are made by a giant candy company that also makes a lot of candy that does contain gluten. SweeTarts are made on shared manufacturing lines, making cross-contamination with gluten a big risk. I emailed Ferrero and got a total runaround with no answer about whether SweeTarts are gluten free. (Disappointing!)
As you know, cross-contamination is a big deal if you are celiac. A tiny bit of gluten can cause gut damage whether you feel it or not. If you have celiac, I recommend avoiding this candy. If you have gluten intolerance or gluten sensitivity, it is up to you whether you want to take the risk of cross-contamination with this candy.
Important Note: This candy comes in several varieties. This write-up is for Original SweeTarts, but I include below a list of their other varieties and whether they are gluten-free.
Look for a complete gluten free candy list at Beyondceliac.org. Note they do not list SweeTarts as safe for celiacs. You can also read all of the candies I researched on my Candy List. You can also check to see Are Candy Corn Gluten Free.
SweeTarts Ingredients:
As you can see, there are no gluten-containing ingredients in Original SweeTarts. Maltodextrin is mainly made from corn, and you can read Is Maltodextrin Gluten Free if you want more information about that.
Dextrose, Maltodextrin, DL-Malic Acid, Less Than 2% of Calcium Stearate, Natural Flavors, Blue 1 Lake, Blue 2 Lake, Red 40 Lake, and Yellow 5 Lake.
Are Other Varieties of SweeTarts Gluten Free?
- SweeTart Rope and Rope Bites – SweeTart Ropes and Rope Bites are NOT gluten free. Both of these contain wheat flour.
- SweeTarts Chewy Fusions – SweeTart Chewy Fusions candy does not contain any gluten ingredients.
- SweeTarts Chewy and Mini Chewy – The Chewy SweeTarts do not contain gluten ingredients.
If you love tart candy, you will want to read Are Skittles Gluten Free to see if this candy is safe to eat if you are gluten free.
Gluten Free SweeTart Candy Alternatives:
Luckily, there are a few great SweeTarts alternatives that are indeed gluten free. If you want to avoid getting glutened, try one of these candies:
- YumEarth Chewy Fruit Chews are a good substitute for SweeTarts Chewy.
- YumEarth Giggles Organic Sour Candies
If you like fruity candy, also check out whether Nerds are gluten free.
