Haribo gummi bears are a beloved candy known for their chewy texture and vibrant fruit flavors. But for people with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity, a key question is: are Haribo gummi bears gluten-free? Understanding the ingredients and manufacturing process can help determine if this cherished treat is safe to enjoy on a gluten-free diet.
The Short Answer
Yes, most Haribo gummi bears are gluten-free. Haribo states that all gummi bears sold in the United States are gluten-free, as they do not contain any wheat, barley, rye, or malt ingredients. However, those with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity should be aware that Haribo gummi bears are made on equipment shared with other candies that contain gluten. So there is a small risk of cross-contact.
Examining the Ingredients
The primary ingredients in Haribo gummi bears are glucose syrup, sugar, gelatin, dextrose, citric acid, corn starch, artificial flavors, fractionated coconut oil, carnauba wax, coloring, including Carmine for coloring, and glazing agents like beeswax. None of these ingredients contain gluten. Haribo uses corn starch as a thickening agent instead of wheat.
Haribo states that their gummi bears contain “NO gluten-containing ingredients.” Gluten is a protein found in grains like wheat, barley, and rye. Major gluten grains and ingredients are not present in Haribo gummi bears. This makes them safe for people with celiac disease or non-celiac gluten sensitivity when considering the ingredients only.
Risk of Cross-Contact
While the ingredients are gluten-free, Haribo gummi bears are produced on shared equipment alongside other candies that contain gluten. Their website states:
“While HARIBO makes every effort to preserve the integrity of all products, we do not have dedicated manufacturing facilities to produce gluten-free products. All items produced by HARIBO could come in contact with products containing gluten/wheat.”
This means there is some risk, albeit small, of cross-contact with gluten due to shared equipment. The extent of this risk depends on how thoroughly the equipment is cleaned between producing different candies.
Advisory Statements
Due to this cross-contact risk, Haribo’s website states they cannot guarantee 100% that any product is completely gluten-free. They provide the following advisories:
- “HARIBO advises consumers who suffer from food allergies to check each product’s ingredients table carefully for potential allergens.”
- “Consumers with Wheat/Gluten allergies or sensitivities should be aware that there is a risk of cross-contamination.”
So those with celiac disease or severe gluten sensitivity should use caution and check with their doctor before consuming Haribo gummi bears. The cross-contact risk is lower for those with minor gluten sensitivity who can tolerate small amounts of cross-contact.
Third Party Testing
Haribo gummi bears are tested for gluten by third-party labs: Eurofins and Alchemy Laboratories. Here are the testing policies according to Haribo’s website:
- “Eurofins test results confirm no gluten-containing ingredients in the product formulation.”
- “Alchemy Laboratories confirms no detectable gluten in randomly sampled finished products.”
The “no detectable gluten” confirmation from Alchemy Labs indicates gluten levels are below 5-10 ppm (parts per million). This rigorous third-party testing provides added assurance of the safety of Haribo gummi bears, though it does not guarantee 100% gluten-free status due to the cross-contact risk.
Individual Varieties & Flavors
According to Haribo, all gummi bear packages sold in the United States are produced without gluten-containing ingredients regardless of flavor or variety. However, it is important to note that ingredients can vary slightly between flavors.
For example, the original goldbears contain glucose syrup, sugar, gelatin, dextrose, citric acid, corn starch, artificial flavors, colors including Carmine, glazing agents. The Happy Cola gummi bears swap out citric acid for malic acid and fumaric acid. The Sour Brite Crawlers contain additional tartaric acid. So those with food sensitivities aside from gluten should check individual ingredients.
Key Gluten-Free Varieties
While all Haribo gummi bears lack gluten-containing ingredients, here are some of the most popular gluten-free varieties:
- Goldbears (original)
- Happy Cherries
- Twin Snakes
- Gummi Peaches
- Raspberries
- Tropifruits
- Kiddie Mix
- Sour Brite Crawlers
- Happy Cola
New Products & Limited Editions
For those with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity, it’s important to confirm that any new or limited edition gummi bear products are also gluten-free. Haribo notes that consumers should check the ingredients list for any new products introduced to the U.S. market for potential gluten ingredients. So far, all limited editions like Haribo Watermelons, Peachie O’s, and Batman Bears are also produced gluten-free.
International Offerings
In some international markets, Haribo uses wheat flour or malt extract in select gummi bear products. So Haribo gummi bears sold in other countries outside the U.S. may contain gluten. U.S. consumers who purchase Haribo bears online from overseas should check ingredients carefully. Increased global availability makes this an important consideration.
According to Haribo:
“Internationally, outside of the U.S. market, HARIBO does include wheat flour in some of the gummi assortments…Additionally, some of our international recipes also include barley malt extract as an ingredient.”
So gluten-free status cannot be assumed for Haribo gummi bears purchased from other countries. Only U.S.-produced gummi bears are confirmed gluten-free.
Manufacturing Facilities
Haribo gummi bears sold in the U.S. are produced in Haribo of America’s manufacturing facilities in Wisconsin and Iowa. These two dedicated U.S. candy factories make Haribo products for the North American market using the U.S. formulations and ingredients.
Other Haribo candies made in international plants and imported to the U.S. may not be gluten-free or have higher cross-contact risks. However, Haribo states that all gummi bears in U.S. packaging are produced in gluten-free U.S. facilities regardless of where purchased.
Are Other Haribo Candies Gluten-Free?
While this article focuses specifically on Haribo gummi bears, it’s worth noting that other Haribo candies sold in the U.S. are also gluten-free. Other gelatin-based gummies like Peaches, Cherries, Smurfs, Happy Cola Gummies, Sour Streamers, and Twin Snakes all lack gluten ingredients. Licorice varieties like Super Piratos, Happy Cola Licorice, and Gold Bears Licorice are also gluten-free.
However, some starch-based Haribo candies like Haribo Gold Bears Corn Stars, Happy Cherries Corn Stars, and Dinosaurs do contain wheat ingredients. Licorice wheels contain wheat flour. These varieties are not gluten-free.
As with gummi bears, cross-contact risks may exist depending on manufacturing. Those with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity should thoroughly read ingredients for all Haribo products.
Are Other Gummi Bear Brands Gluten-Free?
While this article focuses on Haribo, it’s important to note that other major gummi bear brands also offer gluten-free options. Most gummis, regardless of brand, contain similar base ingredients like glucose syrup, sugar, starch, and gelatin. None of these contain gluten.
Some other gluten-free gummi bear brands include:
- Black Forest Organic Gummy Bears
- Albanese Gummi Bears
- Disney Gummies
- Annie’s Organic Bunny Gummies
- Trader Joe’s Scandinavian Swimmers
Those with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity should always carefully inspect ingredient lists for gummi candies and contact manufacturers with any questions or concerns. Cross-contact risks vary depending on manufacturing processes. But many major brands now offer gluten-free gummi options.
frequently asked questions
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about the gluten-free status of Haribo gummi bears:
Are Haribo gummi bears gluten-free in the United States?
Yes, Haribo gummi bears sold in the United States are gluten-free, as they are made without any wheat, barley, rye or malt ingredients. However, Haribo cannot guarantee they are 100% gluten-free due to potential cross-contact in shared facilities.
Does Haribo use wheat in their U.S. gummi bears?
No, Haribo does not use any wheat, wheat flour, or wheat starch in their gummi bears made for the U.S. market. They use corn starch instead.
Are Haribo Happy Cherries gluten-free?
Yes, Haribo Happy Cherries sold in the U.S. are gluten-free and made on shared equipment alongside other gluten-free gummi candies.
Are Haribo Gold Bears gluten-free?
Haribo Goldbears Original gummi candy is gluten-free. Haribo does not use any ingredients containing gluten in their classic Goldbears.
Can celiacs eat Haribo gummi bears?
Haribo gummi bears are generally considered safe for most people with celiac disease due to the lack of gluten ingredients and rigorous third-party testing. However, celiacs who are highly sensitive should exercise caution and consult their doctor before eating Haribo gummi bears due to potential cross-contact.
Does Haribo use barley malt in U.S. gummis?
No, Haribo confirms that gummi bears made for the U.S. market do not contain barley malt extract or any other gluten-containing ingredients.
The Bottom Line
In summary, Haribo gummi bears sold in the United States do not contain any ingredients derived from wheat, barley, rye, or malt. Third-party lab tests confirm no detectable gluten in finished products. However, the shared manufacturing equipment may result in cross-contact with other candies containing gluten. While the risk is low, Haribo does not guarantee 100% gluten-free status.
Those with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity should examine gummi bear ingredients carefully, understand the potential for cross-contact, and exercise individual caution when consuming Haribo gummi bears. People with mild gluten sensitivity can generally tolerate Haribo gummis, while those highly sensitive may wish to avoid. When in doubt, consult your doctor.
Overall, major gluten-free and celiac foundations consider Haribo gummi bears produced in the U.S. to be a gluten-free food choice, though not certified gluten-free. With proper precautions for those highly sensitive, Haribo gummi bears can be enjoyed on a gluten-free diet.