G-Free Candy List

Every Halloween, it seems like more manufacturers identify candy as gluten-free, widening the choices for trick-or-treaters – and their candy-loving parents. As of 2010, those who follow a gluten-free diet have numerous choices, including various long-time kid favorites such as Nestle's Butterfinger candy bars and Jelly Belly jelly beans.

It's always possible to find gluten-free specialty candies, such as the gluten-free, vegan gummy bears available from Let's Do Organic and the gluten-free, low-sugar fudge sold by Diabetic Direct. But since your neighbors likely will pass out more mainstream treats on Halloween night, it's helpful to know which ones are safe.

Here are the latest gluten-free lists of candies as of September 2010, plus links to manufacturers' websites.

However, please remember to use these lists only as a guide, since ingredients and formulas can change at any time. In some cases, a product made at one location may be listed as gluten-free, while the same product made at a different location may not be gluten-free.

Always, if in doubt about the gluten-free status of a product, contact the manufacturer's customer service personnel directly at the numbers listed below.

Nestle USA

Nestle's list of gluten-free candy bars includes Nestle's milk chocolate bar, Baby Ruth, Bit-O-Honey, Butterfinger (but NOT the Butterfinger Crisp or the Butterfinger Stixx), Goobers, Nips (both regular and sugar-free), Oh Henry!, Raisinets and Sno-Caps.

Nestle's also manufactures Wonka products, and lists Wonka Pixy Stix, Wonka Laffy Taffy, Wonka Lik-Maid Fun Dip and Wonka Spree as gluten-free. However, Wonka Oompas and the Wonka Bar are NOT gluten-free.

Contact Nestle USA at 800-225-2270.

Mars Chocolate

Mars Chocolate makes M&M's, Dove, Snickers and other products. As of September 2010, all M&M's EXCEPT FOR Pretzel M&M's are gluten-free. Snickers and Snickers Dark bars, all Dove chocolate products, and the Munch Nut bar also are listed as gluten-free.

Contact Mars Chocolate at 800-627-7852.

Hershey's

Hershey's does not publish a gluten-free candy list because "the ingredients can change at any time," according to one of the company's customer service representatives.

As of September 2010, plain milk chocolate Hershey's Kisses, Hershey's Milk Chocolate bar in the 1.55 ounce size and Hershey's Milk Chocolate with Almonds bar in the 1.55 ounce size were the only candy products that Hershey's considers gluten-free. The company says it will list any ingredients containing wheat, barley, rye, oats and malt on the label, and also will disclose shared equipment or shared facilities on the label.

Contact Hershey's at 800-468-1714.

Jelly Belly

Jelly Belly makes jelly beans in an ever-expanding array of colors and flavors. According to the company, "all Jelly Belly beans are gluten-free, dairy-free, gelatin-free, vegetarian and OU Kosher."

Contact Jelly Belly at 800-522-3267.

Necco

Necco probably is best known for its small sugar Valentine heart candies – the pastel-colored ones that say "Be Mine" and "True Love" – but my daughter's candy stash often turns up a few Necco products every Halloween.

According to Necco, the following products do not contain gluten from wheat, rye, oats or barley: Necco Wafers, Mary Janes, Mary Jane Peanut Butter Kisses, Sweethearts Conversation Hearts (available for Valentine's Day only), Canada Mint & Wintergreen Lozenges, Haviland Thin Mints and Candy Stix. In addition, Clark Bars, Skybars, Haviland Peppermint & Wintergreen Patties, Necco Candy Eggs (available at Easter only), Talking Pumpkins (available at Halloween only), Squirrel Nut Caramels and Squirrel Nut Zippers, Banana Split and Mint Julep Chews, and ULTRAMINTS are gluten free.

Contact Necco at 781-485-4800.