Gluten-free diets have become increasingly popular in recent years, with more and more people opting to avoid gluten for medical reasons or simply as a lifestyle choice. For those with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity, sticking to a strict gluten-free diet is essential to managing symptoms and avoiding complications. But for many others, going gluten-free is seen as a way to eat healthier, lose weight, or resolve various digestive issues. Whatever the motivation, gluten-free consumers must be vigilant about checking labels and understanding which foods contain gluten and which are safe to eat.
This leads many to wonder: What about popular chocolate and candy brands like Ferrero? Are favorites like Nutella, Ferrero Rocher, and Tic Tacs actually gluten-free? Does Ferrero take steps to avoid cross-contamination in their facilities? Here is a detailed look at what Ferrero products contain gluten and which are gluten-free.
What is gluten?
Before diving into specifics on Ferrero, it helps to understand what exactly gluten is and where it is commonly found:
- Gluten is a general name for the proteins found in wheat, rye, barley and triticale.
- Gluten helps foods maintain their shape and texture, which is why it is commonly added to breads, baked goods, pasta, cereal, beer, etc.
- People with celiac disease or non-celiac gluten sensitivity experience digestive symptoms and damage to the small intestine when they consume gluten.
- A gluten-free diet strictly avoids all foods and products containing wheat, rye, barley and triticale.
So in evaluating Ferrero products, the main question is whether they contain any of these gluten-containing grains. Let’s take a closer look.
Are Ferrero Rocher gluten-free?
One of Ferrero’s most famous products, Ferrero Rocher chocolates have a crunchy wafer shell with hazelnut cream and chocolate filling. While delicious, the wafer shell does unfortunately contain wheat flour, making Ferrero Rocher unsafe for those with celiac disease or on a gluten-free diet.
Specifically, the ingredient list for Ferrero Rocher includes the following:
Milk chocolate (sugar, cocoa butter, chocolate, milk ingredients, soy lecithin, artificial vanilla), wheat flour, sugar, palm oil, hazelnuts, cocoa, whey powder (milk), skim milk powder, emulsifiers (sunflower lecithin, E476), vanillin.
The presence of wheat flour confirms that Ferrero Rocher chocolates contain gluten. So those with celiac disease or on a strict gluten-free diet should avoid consuming them.
Is Nutella gluten-free?
Nutella, the iconic hazelnut chocolate spread, is a product many consumers wonder about in terms of gluten content. The good news is that Nutella sold in the United States and many other countries does not contain any gluten ingredients!
Here is the ingredient list for Nutella sold in the US:
Sugar, palm oil, hazelnuts, cocoa, skim milk, reduced minerals whey (milk), soy lecithin as emulsifier, vanillin: an artificial flavor.
As you can see, there is no mention of wheat, barley, rye or other gluten sources. Nutella sold in the United States, Canada, Australia and many European countries is produced in a facility that does not handle gluten and is considered gluten-free. However, consumers should still check the label when purchasing to confirm the ingredient list.
Is Nutella sold outside the US gluten-free?
While Nutella made for the US and some other countries is gluten-free, the ingredients may differ slightly in other international markets. For example, Nutella sold in Argentina contains wheat flour, making it unsuitable for a gluten-free diet. And some markets may use facilities or equipment that also process gluten. So those following a gluten-free diet should always check the ingredient label on Nutella carefully when purchasing abroad or importing from an international seller.
Are Tic Tacs gluten-free?
Tic Tacs may look like candy, but Ferrero classifies them as an oral breath mint. And the good news for gluten-free consumers is that Tic Tacs do not contain any gluten ingredients!
Here are the simple Tic Tac ingredients:
Sugar, maltodextrin, natural flavors. Less than 2% of: gum arabic, magnesium stearate, modified food starch.
Again, there is no mention of ingredients containing wheat, barley, rye or other sources of gluten. Both regular Tic Tacs and the colored/flavored varieties are gluten-free.
Is Ferrara Candy Company gluten-free?
Ferrara Candy Company is a related company to Ferrero that produces and distributes many popular candies in the US. Some of their major brands include SweeTarts, Trolli, Brach’s, Black Forest, Lemonhead and more.
So are Ferrara candies gluten-free?
Unfortunately, many Ferrara candies do contain sources of gluten like wheat starch or barley malt. Some of their gluten-containing products include:
- SweeTarts
- SweeTarts Ropes
- SweeTarts Soft Chewy Candy
- Lemonhead
- Apple Head
- Cherryhead
- Trolli Soda Poppers
- Trolli Sour Brite Crawlers
However, Ferrara does produce some gluten-free candy options. Products that are certified gluten-free include:
- Black Forest Organic Gummy Candy
- Black Forest Fruit Flavored Snacks
- Brach’s Maple Nut Goodies
- Brach’s Caramels
- Brach’s Candy Corn
- Brach’s Harvest Crowns
So some Ferrara candies are gluten-free, but many others contain gluten. Consumers need to check the specific product before consuming.
Is Kinder chocolate gluten-free?
Kinder chocolate is another popular Ferrero brand. This includes a variety of Kinder chocolate bars, Kinder Happy Hippo snacks, Kinder Bueno, and Kinder Surprise eggs.
Unfortunately, most Kinder chocolate products do contain sources of gluten, usually wheat flour:
- Kinder Happy Hippo snacks contain wheat flour
- Kinder Bueno ingredients include wheat flour
- Most Kinder chocolate bars contain wheat flour
- The shell of Kinder Surprise eggs contain wheat flour
So most Kinder brand chocolates are not gluten-free. The exception is Kinder Joy eggs. Unlike the Surprise eggs, Kinder Joy consist of two separate packages – one with the toy and one with the chocolate. The chocolate does not have a shell, and the ingredients are gluten-free. But all other Kinder products contain wheat and are not safe for gluten-free diets.
Is Fererro chocolate gluten-free?
To summarize, here is an overview of whether major Ferrero brand chocolates contain gluten:
| Ferrero Product | Gluten-Free? |
|---|---|
| Ferrero Rocher | No – Contains wheat flour |
| Nutella (Made in USA) | Yes – Gluten-free |
| Tic Tacs | Yes – Gluten-free |
| Kinder Surprise Eggs | No – Shell contains wheat flour |
| Kinder Joy Eggs | Yes – Gluten-free |
| Kinder Chocolate Bars | No – Contain wheat flour |
As shown, products like Nutella and Tic Tacs are gluten-free, but many chocolates under the Kinder and Ferrero brands contain wheat and are not safe for celiac disease or gluten-free diets. Careful label reading is still required.
Is there cross-contamination risk with Ferrero products?
For Ferrero products that are labeled gluten-free, the company states that cross-contamination is unlikely based on the following procedures:
- Gluten-free products are produced on separate equipment from gluten-containing foods.
- Equipment is thoroughly cleaned and sanitized between production runs.
- Suppliers must provide documentation of gluten-free status for all ingredients.
- Comprehensive employee training on allergen control procedures.
However, people with celiac disease or wheat allergy should still use caution, as facilities may change over time and trace amounts of cross-contamination are always possible. Those highly sensitive should look for products certified gluten-free by a third party testing organization.
What about other Ferrero products?
Beyond chocolate and candy, Ferrero produces a variety of other products under brands like Fannie May. Some of these include:
- Fannie May Pixies® Chocolate Snack Mix
- Fannie May Pretzels
- Ferrero Stuffed Olives
The chocolate snack mixes and pretzels typically contain wheat-based ingredients, while the stuffed olives are gluten-free. As always, diligent label reading is essential with any Ferrero or Fannie May purchase.
Finding safe gluten-free alternatives
While many favorite Ferrero items like Nutella are gluten-free, some products contain wheat, barley or rye and pose a risk to those avoiding gluten. Thankfully, there are many safe alternative brands to choose from, including:
- Justin’s Chocolate Hazelnut Butter
- Jif Chocolate and Hazelnut Spreads
- Reese’s Spreads
- Nuttzo Nut Spreads
- Wow Baking Gluten-Free Wafers
- Taza Chocolate Discs
- Canyon Bakehouse Gluten-Free Bread
- Kinnikinnick Gluten-Free Wafers
Checking labels and contacting manufacturers directly can help identify additional gluten-free brands to enjoy.
The bottom line
When it comes to Ferrero products, some favorites like Nutella and Tic Tacs are gluten-free, while products with chocolate wafers or coatings often contain wheat flour or barley malt extract. Careful label reading is essential, as ingredients can vary between flavors and countries of production. Thankfully there are many gluten-free candy and chocolate options available from other trusted brands. Following a gluten-free diet provides significant health benefits, but requires diligence. Understanding which Ferrero products contain gluten and finding suitable replacements helps ensure peace of mind.
