The quick answer is yes, all Starburst candies are gluten-free. Starburst is made by the Wrigley Company, which is owned by Mars, Inc. Mars states that all of their Starburst products are gluten-free.
What is Starburst?
Starburst is a brand of fruit-flavored soft taffy candy that was first introduced in the 1960s. The original flavors were cherry, lemon, orange, and strawberry. Over the years new flavors have been introduced like FaveREDs, Tropical, Sours, Very Berry, Summer Blast, and more.
Starburst are small square-shaped chews that are wrapped in a wrapper. The candies are soft and chewy with a fruit juice-like flavor. Starburst is a popular candy brand and can be found in grocery stores, convenience stores, movie theaters, etc.
Are Starburst gluten-free?
Yes, Starburst candies are certified gluten-free by the Gluten-Free Certification Organization (GFCO).
The GFCO tests products to contain less than 10 parts per million of gluten. This extremely low level means foods certified by GFCO are considered safe for people with celiac disease or non-celiac gluten sensitivity.
Mars Inc, the manufacturer of Starburst, states on their website that all Starburst products are gluten-free. This includes all flavors and varieties like Original, Sours, Tropical, FaveREDs, Very Berry, Summer Blast, etc.
Ingredients in Starburst
The ingredients in Starburst candies are gluten-free. The main ingredients are:
- Corn syrup
- Sugar
- Fruit juices from concentrate
- Partially hydrogenated palm kernel and palm oils
- Less than 2% – citric acid, tapioca dextrin, modified food starch, gelatin, natural and artificial flavors, colors (red 40, yellow 5, yellow 6, blue 1), ascorbic acid.
None of these ingredients contain gluten. Tapioca dextrin and modified food starch are common gluten-free thickening agents used in place of wheat. The gelatin may be derived from beef, pork, or fish rather than wheat.
Risk of cross-contamination
Mars states that their manufacturing facilities have strict allergen controls in place to prevent cross-contamination of products. They have thorough equipment and product cleaning procedures, as well as employee training.
Additionally, Starburst are made on dedicated gluten-free lines in facilities that do not handle other gluten-containing ingredients. This helps reduce the risk of any accidental gluten exposure during manufacturing.
Are all Starburst flavors gluten-free?
Yes, Mars has confirmed that all Starburst flavors, varieties and products are gluten-free. This includes:
- Original – cherry, strawberry, orange, lemon
- Sours – cherry, lemon, orange, raspberry
- Tropical – pineapple, strawberry, mango, cherry
- FaveReds – strawberry, cherry, fruit punch, watermelon
- Very Berry – strawberry, raspberry, cherry, lemonade
- Summer Blast – lemon, cherry, watermelon, blue raspberry
- Gummies
- Jelly Beans
- Chewy Middles
- Giant Chewy Stars
- Crunchy Bites
- Bites
- All dips and spreads
- All other limited edition and seasonal varieties
Are sugar-free Starburst gluten-free?
Starburst does offer a sugar-free version of their popular fruit chews. According to Mars, the sugar-free Starburst are gluten-free and contain the same gluten-free ingredients as the original version.
Are Starburst minis gluten-free?
Yes, Starburst Minis are gluten-free. Starburst Minis are bite-sized versions of the original Starburst. They come in cherry, orange, lemon-lime, mixed berry, and tropical flavors. According to Mars, all Starburst Minis are gluten-free.
Can celiacs and gluten-sensitive individuals eat Starburst safely?
Yes, individuals with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity can safely eat Starburst fruit chews. Since Starburst candies contain no gluten ingredients and are processed in facilities with strict allergen controls, they are not expected to contain any traces of gluten.
The GFCO certification also provides added assurance and comfort to gluten-free consumers that Starburst meet strict standards for gluten safety.
Of course, individuals should always check the label each time they purchase Starburst to ensure no changes have occurred. But overall Starburst can be considered a gluten-free friendly candy option.
Other Mars candy that is gluten-free
In addition to Starburst, Mars states that the following candies are gluten-free:
- M&M’s (plain and peanut)
- Skittles
- Snickers
- Twix
- 3 Musketeers
- Milky Way
- Snickers Almond
- Dove Chocolate
- M&M’s chocolate candies
Mars periodically updates allergen information on their website so it’s good to check for the latest gluten-free status of products.
Starburst labeling and warnings
Starburst candies contain the following allergen labeling and information:
- The wrapper states “Gluten Free” on the front
- The ingredients list does not contain any gluten ingredients
- Manufactured in a facility that uses tree nuts and peanuts
So individuals with nut allergies need to be aware that Starburst are processed alongside tree nuts and peanuts. But the candies themselves are nut-free.
Conclusion
Starburst fruit chews by Mars are certified gluten-free to less than 10 ppm by the GFCO. All Starburst flavors, varieties and products are labeled gluten-free by the manufacturer. The ingredients have been confirmed not to contain any gluten sources.
Additionally, Mars follows stringent protocols to avoid cross-contamination in their facilities. So celiacs and anyone avoiding gluten for medical reasons can enjoy Starburst candies safely. They are a tasty gluten-free candy option.
