Quick Answers
Milky Way and Snickers bars are both gluten-free as they do not contain any wheat, barley, rye or derivatives that would contain gluten. However, they are produced in facilities that also process gluten ingredients, so there is a small risk of cross-contamination. Those with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity should exercise caution and check with the manufacturer about sourcing and processing methods to determine if Milky Way and Snickers bars are safe for their dietary needs.
What is Gluten and Why Does it Matter?
Gluten is a protein found in wheat, barley and rye. For those with celiac disease or non-celiac gluten sensitivity, consuming gluten triggers an autoimmune response that damages the small intestine. This can cause symptoms like abdominal pain, bloating, diarrhea, constipation, vomiting, fatigue and more. The only treatment is a strict lifelong gluten-free diet, so checking labels and understanding how foods are processed is extremely important.
For those with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity, consuming a food labeled “gluten-free” that has even small amounts of gluten cross-contamination can be enough to cause a reaction. The FDA Gluten-Free Labeling Rule states that foods labeled as “gluten-free” must contain less than 20 parts per million of gluten. However, some experts recommend even lower thresholds of 5-10 ppm for those who are highly sensitive.
Are Milky Way and Snickers Gluten-Free?
Milky Way and Snickers bars do not contain any wheat, barley, rye or malt ingredients that naturally contain gluten. The main ingredients in these candy bars are sugar, corn syrup, cocoa butter, milk ingredients, peanuts and chocolate.
However, according to information provided online by Mars Wrigley Confectionery, the manufacturer of both Milky Way and Snickers, their products are produced in facilities that also process gluten ingredients. This means there is a risk of cross-contamination of gluten even though it is not added as an ingredient.
Mars Wrigley Confectionery states that any product containing wheat, rye, barley, oats or their derivatives as ingredients will be labeled clearly. For their mainstream chocolate products, including Milky Way and Snickers, they advise that the items are produced alongside wheat and barley products. They recommend anyone with food allergies or sensitivities check the labels on packaging for the most up to date information.
Ingredient Lists
Here are the listed ingredients for Milky Way and Snickers bars, according to the manufacturer:
Milky Way Ingredients
- Milk Chocolate (Sugar, Cocoa Butter, Chocolate, Skim Milk, Lactose, Milkfat, Soy Lecithin, Salt, Artificial Flavor), Corn Syrup, Nougat (Sugar, Eggs, Corn Syrup, Soy Protein Isolate And Concentrate, Milk, Partially Hydrogenated Cottonseed And Soybean Oil With Mono- And Diglycerides, Dextrose, Salt, Artificial Flavor), Caramel (Corn Syrup, Sugar, Milk, Butter [Cream, Salt], Soy Lecithin, Salt, Artificial Flavor), Peanuts
Snickers Ingredients
- Milk Chocolate (Sugar, Cocoa Butter, Chocolate, Lactose, Milkfat, Soy Lecithin, Salt, PGPR), Peanuts, Corn Syrup, Sugar, Skim Milk, Partially Hydrogenated Cottonseed and Soybean Oil With Mono- And Diglycerides, Lactose, Soy Lecithin, Salt, Egg Whites, Artificial Flavor
As you can see, neither candy contains any gluten-containing ingredients. However, the risk of cross-contamination still exists since they are produced on shared equipment.
Are Milky Way and Snickers Safe for Celiacs and Gluten Sensitivity?
Whether or not Milky Way and Snickers bars are truly safe for those with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity is debatable. Since they are made in facilities that also process wheat and barley, trace amounts of gluten could make their way into the products. However, Mars Wrigley Confectionery does follow FDA standards in testing their equipment and facilities and adheres to the 20 ppm threshold.
Those who are less sensitive may be able to tolerate these amounts of gluten, while those who react to smaller traces likely should avoid Milky Way and Snickers. Each individual will need to assess their own level of risk and comfort. Checking CandyUSA.com is one option, as they provide independent gluten test results on various candies, including amounts detected that are under 20 ppm.
Overall, it comes down to each person’s unique sensitivity. Depending on individual reactions, some celiacs or those with gluten intolerance may be fine with Milky Way and Snickers in moderation, while others could get sick from even a tiny amount of cross-contamination. Checking with your doctor is advised when in doubt.
Precautions
If you have celiac disease or gluten intolerance and want to try Milky Way or Snickers bars, here are some recommended precautions:
- Check the label and ingredients every time for any changes
- Look for small print indicating the product is made in a facility with wheat, barley or gluten
- Start by only eating a small portion to assess your tolerance
- Have an anti-histamine on hand in case of any reaction
- Do not eat either candy bar if you are already experiencing symptoms or illness
- Look for alternative candy options that are labeled gluten-free and produced in dedicated facilities
Best Practices for Avoiding Cross-Contamination
Cross-contamination is one of the biggest concerns when living gluten-free. Here are some tips for reducing exposure from cross-contact:
- Choose foods that are certified gluten-free, not just labeled
- Look for brands that manufacture products in dedicated gluten-free facilities
- Stick to naturally gluten-free whole foods like produce, meat, dairy and rice
- Carefully read all labels and ingredients every time before eating
- If in doubt, reach out to the manufacturer directly for questions
- Wash hands thoroughly before and after handling any packaged foods
- Don’t share utensils or food prep surfaces with gluten-containing foods
- Use separate toasters and condiments to avoid cross-contact at home
Being vigilant about identifying potential sources of cross-contamination is key for maintaining a gluten-free diet. Traces of gluten can hide in everything from deli meats to oats, so always confirm ingredients and preparation methods.
Gluten-Free Candy Options
While Milky Way and Snickers may be questionable, there are plenty of delicious gluten-free candy options to satisfy any sweet tooth:
Dark Chocolate
- Dove Dark Chocolate
- Hershey’s Special Dark
- Endangered Species Dark Chocolate
- Alter Eco Dark Chocolate
- Enjoy Life Dark Chocolate Baking Chips
Milk Chocolate
- Hershey’s Milk Chocolate
- Dove Milk Chocolate
- Endangered Species Milk Chocolate
- Enjoy Life Milk Chocolate Baking Chips
Candy Bars
- Enjoy Life Chocolate Bars
- Alter Eco Quinoa Chocolate Bars
- MadeGood Granola Bars
- Surf Sweets Gummy Candy
- SmartSweets
Always check labels thoroughly and contact the manufacturer with any questions. Many mainstream brands are processed in dedicated allergen-free facilities, while specialty brands often cater specifically to dietary needs like gluten-free.
The Takeaway
When you have celiac disease or gluten sensitivity, even small traces of gluten from cross-contamination can cause issues. Both Milky Way and Snickers bars are produced in facilities that also process gluten-containing ingredients, so there is a risk of exposure.
Some people may be able to tolerate the low levels based on individual sensitivity. However, for those who react to trace amounts, it is likely safest to avoid Milky Way and Snickers. Thankfully, with so many gluten-free candy options available, you can still indulge your sweet tooth without the uncertainty.
When in doubt, reach out to manufacturers directly for the most up to date information on allergen protocols and processing practices. Being an informed consumer and advocating for your own health is key to successfully navigating the gluten-free diet!
