Are Reese's Peanut Butter Cups Gluten-Free?

Some processed gluten-free foods, like candy, contain high amounts of unhealthy ingredients like sugar and fat.
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Reese's Peanut Butter Cups are gluten-free except for seasonal items and unwrapped minis. While an array of other candy varieties are gluten-free too, many others aren't.

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A quick refresher: A gluten-free diet doesn't contain the protein gluten, which is found in barley, rye, wheat and a cross between rye and wheat called triticale, per the Mayo Clinic. Avoiding gluten is needed to manage the symptoms of various conditions — primarily celiac disease and non-celiac gluten intolerance.

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All of Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups are gluten-free with the exception of unwrapped minis and seasonal candies. Reese's Eggs aren't gluten-free.

Gluten-Free Candy

How do you know if a specific candy is gluten-free? First, check for a gluten-free symbol on the packaging. If your candy doesn't carry that label, try checking the manufacturer's website.

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Beyond Celiac and the Celiac Disease Foundation put out lists of gluten-free candy on their websites. You can also check Hershey's gluten-free list. Some manufacturers may not publish a list, but you can contact them directly.

Another way to check whether a candy contains gluten involves reading the label carefully. It can, however, be hard to recognize gluten-free ingredients. Most people know to look for the gluten-containing grains of wheat, rye and barley; but sometimes wheat is called other names. In addition, a candy may contain malt vinegar or a protein derivative of a grain.

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Reese's Pieces are all gluten-free except for the Eggs, reports the Celiac Disease Foundation. Other gluten-free candies, per Beyond Celiac, include:

  • Hershey's Milk Chocolate Kisses
  • Snickers Bars
  • Milky Way Caramel Bars (not the original Milky Way Bars)
  • Tootsie Rolls
  • M&Ms (except pretzels and seasonal items)
  • Butterfingers
  • Jelly Belly Beans
  • Some varieties of York Peppermint Patties
  • Ring Pops

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The lists of gluten-free candy include many exceptions among very similar products put out by the same company. Also, a company will sometimes make a candy gluten-free in one size while making other sizes of the same candy with gluten. When checking the gluten-free lists, be careful to note all the exceptions.

Healthy Alternative to Candy

Even if a candy is gluten-free, that doesn't mean it's a healthy treat or dessert.

According to the USDA, a package of Reese's Peanut Butter Cups has 210 calories, 13 grams of fat and 21 grams of sugar. It also contains peanuts, which are an allergen.

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Most other candy varieties are also high in calories, fat and sugar.

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Fruit is a deliciously sweet treat that is naturally gluten-free. It's also rich in fiber, vitamins and minerals. Consider exchanging candy for fruit when it comes to daily snacking and saving the candy for an occasional treat.

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Tips for Avoiding Gluten

When reading labels, some gluten-containing ingredients aren't obvious. Be aware of the different varieties of wheat such as einkorn, durum, emmer, spelt and kamut, recommends the Mayo Clinic.

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Likewise, wheat flours have different names, but they all contain gluten: These include semolina, farina, self-rising flour, enriched flour and graham flour.

If a label includes malt or brewer's yeast, it also contains gluten, per the Gluten Intolerance Group.

Look for a gluten-free label, because the Food and Drug Administration requires that these claims meet a clear standard. Another reliable sign to check for is a third-party gluten-free certification.

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