Gluten-free diets have become increasingly popular in recent years, with more and more people choosing to avoid gluten for medical or lifestyle reasons. For those with celiac disease or non-celiac gluten sensitivity, eating gluten can cause serious health issues, so checking labels and ingredients is a must. For food manufacturers, creating delicious gluten-free versions of popular products has become an important way to meet consumer demand.
What is gluten?
Gluten is a protein found in grains like wheat, barley and rye. For most people, gluten poses no health concerns. But for those with celiac disease or non-celiac gluten sensitivity, gluten triggers an autoimmune response that damages the small intestine. This can cause symptoms like abdominal pain, bloating, diarrhea, vomiting, constipation, fatigue, headache and more. The only treatment for gluten-related disorders is following a strict lifelong gluten-free diet by avoiding all foods and drinks containing gluten.
Why check if Milk Duds are gluten-free?
Hershey’s Milk Duds are a classic candy treat featuring chewy caramel wrapped around a milky center. But for those avoiding gluten, enjoying popular candy brands isn’t always straightforward. While ingredients like sugar, corn syrup and milk chocolate may seem intrinsically gluten-free, cross-contamination with gluten-containing ingredients can occur during manufacturing. Certified gluten-free products adhere to strict standards limiting contamination risks during processing, but regular products do not. That’s why checking labels and contacting manufacturers is key for gluten-free consumers when assessing products like Milk Duds.
Ingredients in Milk Duds
To determine if Milk Duds contain gluten, let’s take a look at the ingredients list as described on the official Hershey’s website:
- Milk chocolate (sugar, cocoa butter, chocolate, nonfat milk, milk fat, lactose, soy lecithin, PGPR)
- Corn syrup
- Sugar
- Partially hydrogenated palm kernel and palm oils
- Nonfat milk
- Whey
- Milk fat
- Lactose
- Contains 2% or less of: salt, caramel color, artificial and natural flavor
At first glance, none of these ingredients clearly contain gluten. Terms like “wheat,” “barley” or “rye” do not appear. But to completely rule out gluten, examining how each ingredient is produced is important for hidden risks.
Analyzing Milk Dud ingredients
Milk chocolate is the primary ingredient in Milk Duds. According to Hershey’s, their milk chocolate contains no gluten-based ingredients. The cocoa beans and sugar used in production are naturally gluten-free. During manufacturing, the company states that all equipment is thoroughly cleaned to prevent cross-contamination with wheat, barley or rye. This rigorous sanitation process ensures gluten does not make its way into the milk chocolate during production. Therefore, the first Milk Duds ingredient appears to be gluten-free.
Next, let’s consider corn syrup. This sweetener is made by processing corn starch. Corn naturally contains no gluten, making corn-derived products like corn syrup and cornstarch certified gluten-free ingredients. No risk of gluten contamination exists during corn syrup production.
For sugar, most refined table sugar is extracted from sugar cane or sugar beets – both gluten-free plants. Potential for cross-contamination only exists if wheat starch is added, which doesn’t appear to be the case for Milk Duds.
Palm oils, milk products and salt also lack gluten naturally. Caramel color can be produced from corn, wheat or barley, but manufacturers must state wheat or barley as allergens if used. Hershey’s makes no mention of wheat or barley for the caramel color in Milk Duds, signaling the corn-based, gluten-free version is likely used.
Finally, “natural and artificial flavor” is a broad term that could potentially mask gluten-containing ingredients. However, major candy companies like Hershey’s typically use gluten-free corn or cane sugar-based flavors. Milk Duds do not call out wheat or barley as allergens associated with the flavors. With rigorous allergen protocols, it’s likely Hershey’s uses gluten-free flavors.
No gluten ingredients, but what about cross-contamination?
Based on a close review of each ingredient, Hershey’s Milk Duds do not appear to contain any intrinsic gluten. However, the question still remains about the possibility of cross-contamination with gluten during manufacturing and processing. With shared production lines and equipment, even tiny trace amounts of an allergen can be risky for those requiring a gluten-free diet.
To investigate cross-contamination risks, understanding how Milk Duds are produced provides valuable clues:
- According to Hershey’s, milk chocolate used in many products, including Milk Duds, is made in dedicated dairy and nut-free facilities to avoid cross-contact with allergens. Gluten does not appear to be handled in the same facilities. This limits contamination during milk chocolate processing.
- The caramel in Milk Duds is cooked in dedicated equipment separate from chocolate operations, according to Hershey’s. No gluten ingredients are used in caramel production.
- Milk Duds are packaged on lines that also package products containing wheat, according to Hershey’s. However this applies primarily to standalone Milk Dud boxes, not to Milk Duds that are packaged with chocolate assortments.
Based on their manufacturing practices, Hershey’s indicates Milk Duds made for assorted chocolates boxes have little risk of gluten cross-contamination. Standalone Milk Dud boxes carry slightly higher risk due to shared lines with wheat-based products. Overall, the chances of gluten making its way into Milk Duds products appears low but not fully eliminated.
No gluten call-outs on packaging
Checking Milk Duds packaging reveals no mention of wheat, barley, rye or gluten in allergen statements or “made in a facility” notifications. According to U.S. food labeling laws, any product containing wheat as an ingredient must list wheat in plain language on the package. Advisory labels like “made in a facility…” or “made on equipment that also processes…” are required for potential cross-contamination risks.
The absence of these gluten advisories and call-outs suggests Hershey’s has deemed the contamination risk low enough to not warrant cautionary labeling. However, without explicit gluten-free certification, trace risks may still exist.
No gluten claims on Hershey’s website
Checking Hershey’s website reveals no marketing claims about Milk Duds being gluten-free. The product page and FAQ pages make no mention of gluten-free suitability or claims. Nor are Milk Duds included in Hershey’s list of gluten-free products. The lack of promoted gluten-free status suggests Hershey’s has opted not to position Milk Duds this way despite the seemingly minimal gluten risk.
No independent gluten-free certification
To help consumers identify truly gluten-free products, independent certification programs exist. These third party certifications verify thorough testing and manufacturing processes to limit gluten cross-contact. Popular programs include:
- Gluten-Free Certification Organization (GFCO)
- National Celiac Association Recognition Seal
- Gluten Intolerance Group Certified Gluten-Free
- Celiac Sprue Association Recognition Seal
Reviewing program databases reveals Hershey’s Milk Duds are not certified gluten-free by any of these bodies. Hershey’s has achieved GFCO certification for some products, like Hershey’s milk chocolate chips, but not yet for Milk Duds.
Individual tolerance varies widely
While Milk Duds appear unlikely to contain significant gluten content, individual tolerance levels vary widely in celiac disease and non-celiac gluten sensitivity:
- Some celiacs can tolerate up to 10-20ppm gluten with no issues
- Others develop symptoms from even traces of 5ppm or less
- Those with NCGS often report reacting to gluten doses under 20ppm
Since Hershey’s does not quantify or guarantee the gluten ppm in Milk Duds, individual experiences may not be universal. Some may enjoy Milk Duds with no problems, while others could potentially react. Personal testing is advised to determine individual tolerance.
How to enjoy Milk Duds gluten-free
Here are some tips for enjoying Hershey’s Milk Duds while maintaining a gluten-free diet:
- Read each label carefully and check for gluten call-outs before purchasing
- Avoid bulk bags and buy Milk Duds packaged with gluten-free chocolate assortments
- Contact Hershey’s consumer relations for the most up-to-date gluten information on Milk Duds
- Start by eating a small serving size to test personal tolerance before consuming larger amounts
- Check for any adverse symptoms within 48 hours of consuming
- Opt for naturally gluten-free whole foods as the mainstay of dietary intake
- Understand that gluten sensitivities can fluctuate over time
Exercising caution and moderation allows those avoiding gluten to still enjoy occasional treats like Milk Duds, within individual tolerance levels.
The bottom line
Based on ingredient and manufacturing analysis, Hershey’s Milk Duds most likely contain no significant gluten content. However, the possibility of trace cross-contamination cannot be fully ruled out. Hershey’s does not claim the product is gluten-free or apply any special gluten-free production procedures. Tolerance varies on an individual level, so personal testing is advised. While not certified gluten-free, Milk Duds may be a special treat option for some on a gluten-free diet with appropriate precautions.
