Ruqayyah Snyder
Peanut M&M's are considered gluten-free in the United States, but the same cannot be said for other countries. For example, in Australia, M&M's are not gluten-free, excluding the caramel M&M's. This discrepancy is due to different countries having different gluten-free certification programs and ingredient requirements. While most M&M's do not contain gluten, they are not certified gluten-free by the Gluten Intolerance Group, and there is a risk of cross-contamination during manufacturing. Therefore, those with celiac disease or gluten intolerance should exercise caution when consuming M&M's and always check the labels.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Are Peanut M&M's gluten-free in Australia? | No, they are not certified gluten-free in Australia. |
| Are there any gluten-free M&M's? | Yes, Peanut M&M's made in the US are gluten-free, but not certified gluten-free. |
| Are there any other gluten-free varieties of M&M's? | Yes, Peanut Butter M&M's, Milk Chocolate M&M's, Caramel M&M's, and Almond M&M's are considered gluten-free. |
| Are there any M&M's that contain gluten? | Yes, Pretzel M&M's and Crispy M&M's contain gluten. |
| Are there any other factors to consider? | Yes, some M&M's may have a "may contain wheat" warning, so people with Celiac disease or gluten intolerance should be cautious. |
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What You'll Learn
Gluten-free certification differs by country
In the United States, M&M's are gluten-free. However, due to potential cross-contamination issues, Mars Wrigley does not provide a distinct gluten-free label on its M&Ms. While the brand clearly provides potential allergens on every label, someone with celiac disease may not want to risk their health. On the other hand, in Australia, M&M's are not gluten-free, excluding the caramel M&M's. This discrepancy between countries can be attributed to differences in ingredient requirements and processing standards.
Gluten-free certification is a process that protects consumers with celiac disease or other gluten-related disorders by ensuring that food, drink, or supplements meet strict standards for gluten-free safety. Several certifying bodies offer gluten-free certification, and each has its own criteria to ensure consumer safety. For example, the Gluten-Free Certification Organization (GFCO) works with manufacturers to help them achieve certification and improve their processes to meet strict standards, including requirements that all starting ingredients and finished products test below the applicable gluten-free threshold of the country of sale. In Australia and New Zealand, for instance, GFCO-certified products must have less than 10 ppm of gluten, while the threshold may differ in other countries.
The GFCP, endorsed by Beyond Celiac, is another certification program that has been introduced in North America. It is a management system and facility-based certification, which means it examines the entire practices and production process of the facility rather than relying solely on product testing. This includes ingredient sourcing, employee training, cleaning practices, cross-contact controls, operational management, and end-to-end testing.
The differences in gluten-free certification between countries can be attributed to varying standards and criteria set by different certifying bodies. These differences aim to ensure that gluten-free products are safe for consumers with celiac disease or gluten intolerance, taking into account specific requirements in different regions, such as the prohibition of oats in Australia and New Zealand.
It is important to note that ingredient lists can change, and products that are gluten-free in one country may not be in another. Therefore, it is always advisable to check the labels and packaging of food products to ensure they meet your specific dietary needs.
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Caramel M&M's are gluten-free
While M&Ms are not advertised as gluten-free products and do not have a gluten-free label, many of their candies are gluten-free and safe for consumption if you have coeliac disease or eat a gluten-free diet. In general, you can eat M&Ms if the ingredients listed on the nutrition labels do not contain gluten.
Caramel M&Ms are considered gluten-free. In fact, in Australia, Caramel M&Ms are the only variety of M&Ms that are gluten-free. However, it is important to note that M&Ms are not distinctly advertised as gluten-free, and Mars Wrigley has never stated that they are processed on separate equipment from gluten-containing products. Therefore, cross-contamination is something to consider.
Chocolate is naturally gluten-free, but many chocolate products end up with wheat during manufacturing due to additional ingredients. Caramel M&Ms are no exception to this, and while they are considered gluten-free, it is always important to read the labels carefully before consuming any candy. This is especially true when travelling internationally, as M&Ms contain slightly different ingredients in every country. For example, when living in Japan, one source noted that they were unable to eat M&Ms, as all flavours contained wheat flour.
If you are looking for other gluten-free candies, there are plenty of options. Many popular candies are labelled gluten-free, including sweet candies and chocolate. Some examples of gluten-free chocolate include Cadbury chocolate, Hershey's Kisses, and Reese's Peanut Butter Cups.
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M&M's with a may contain wheat warning
In the United States, M&M's are considered gluten-free, although they are not distinctly advertised as such. Mars Wrigley does not provide a gluten-free label on its M&Ms due to potential cross-contamination issues. While the brand clearly provides potential allergens on every label, someone with celiac disease may not want to risk their health.
However, in Australia, M&M's are not gluten-free (excluding the caramel M&M's). Some M&M's flavours in Australia warn on the ingredients label that they may contain wheat. For example, Pretzel M&M's contain wheat flour, and Crispy M&M's contain barley malt. The crispy ones, in particular, do not have a warning on the label, so it is important to steer clear of them to avoid gluten. Additionally, Mint and Speckled M&M's are produced on the same lines as the Pretzel M&M's, and although they do clean the lines between production, there is still the possibility of cross-contamination, which is why they now have the wheat warning on them.
If you are looking to eat M&M's and avoid gluten, it is important to always read the product labels and not take a chance on those flavours that may contain wheat. In 2019, Nima Sensors tested twelve flavours of M&M's, including several flavours that indicated that they may contain wheat. Of the twelve M&M's flavours tested, only two flavours tested positive for gluten. These were the Pretzel and Crispy M&M's. Several M&M's flavours regularly contain wheat ingredients, so it is good to be careful and maybe stick to flavours that are known to be safe.
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Ingredients and product formulations can change
While M&M's are not distinctly advertised as gluten-free, several sources indicate that Peanut M&M's are considered gluten-free. However, it is important to note that ingredients and product formulations can change, and different countries have different ingredient requirements and processing standards. Therefore, it is always good to be cautious and check the labels carefully before consuming any product if you have a gluten intolerance or are celiac.
In the United States, for example, Peanut M&M's are considered gluten-free, and the product packaging typically lists ingredients such as milk chocolate, peanuts, sugar, cornstarch, and other ingredients that are naturally gluten-free. Many people with celiac disease have tested these M&M's with a Nima sensor, and the tests show no traces of gluten. However, due to potential cross-contamination issues, Mars Wrigley does not provide a distinct gluten-free label on its M&M's in the US.
In Australia, the situation is different. While Caramel M&M's are gluten-free in Australia, other varieties may not be. Some M&M's products in Australia may contain gluten-containing ingredients or have the statement "may contain gluten" on their labels. Therefore, it is essential to read the labels carefully and make an informed decision based on your gluten sensitivity or intolerance.
The same caution applies to other countries as well. For example, in Japan, all flavours of M&M's are reported to contain wheat flour, making them unsuitable for a gluten-free diet. This highlights the importance of checking ingredient lists and being aware of potential changes in product formulations.
To summarise, while Peanut M&M's are generally considered gluten-free, it is crucial to remain vigilant by checking labels and staying informed about any changes in ingredients or product formulations, especially when travelling internationally or purchasing products from different countries.
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M&M's are not distinctly advertised as gluten-free
M&Ms are not distinctly advertised as gluten-free, and Mars Wrigley has never stated that they are processed on separate equipment from gluten-containing products. This means that cross-contamination is a possibility. For this reason, those with celiac disease or gluten intolerance may not want to risk their health.
In the United States, due to potential cross-contamination issues, Mars Wrigley does not provide a distinct gluten-free label on its M&Ms. While the brand clearly provides potential allergens on every label, this lack of a gluten-free label may be off-putting for some consumers with celiac disease.
In Australia, M&Ms are not gluten-free, excluding the caramel M&M's. This is in contrast to the United States, where M&Ms are gluten-free (excluding those with gluten-containing add-ins such as pretzel and crispy M&M's, which are made with wheat flour).
The FDA states that products that carry gluten-free labels must have less than 20 ppm of gluten. This is “the lowest that can be reliably detected in foods”. While M&Ms are not labelled as gluten-free, they have many gluten-free options, including flavours like milk chocolate, peanut, and peanut butter. These flavours do not have any gluten ingredients and are considered to be gluten-free candies.
It is important to note that ingredient lists can change, and different countries have different ingredient requirements and processing standards. Therefore, it is always a good idea to check the labels to ensure that you are eating gluten-free chocolate.
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Frequently asked questions
Peanut M&Ms are considered gluten-free in the US, but this may vary in other countries. While the ingredients in peanut M&Ms are naturally gluten-free, they are not certified gluten-free by the Gluten Intolerance Group.
Mars Wrigley does not provide a distinct gluten-free label on its M&Ms due to potential cross-contamination issues. The company does, however, clearly list potential allergens on every label.
Milk chocolate, peanut butter, and almond M&Ms are gluten-free. Caramel M&Ms are also considered gluten-free.
Pretzel M&Ms and Crispy M&Ms contain gluten.
Always read the ingredients label before buying M&Ms, as ingredients may change over time, and new flavours could contain gluten.
