Gluten is a protein found in grains like wheat, barley and rye. For people with celiac disease or non-celiac gluten sensitivity, eating gluten triggers an immune response that damages the small intestine. This can lead to symptoms like abdominal pain, diarrhea, constipation, bloating, fatigue and more. Since gluten is found in many common foods and ingredients, following a strict gluten-free diet is necessary for managing these conditions.
Many people assume Twizzlers are gluten-free, but is this actually the case? Let’s take a detailed look at whether Twizzlers contain gluten.
What are Twizzlers?
Twizzlers are a classic chewy candy produced by The Hershey Company. They have a distinctive twisted shape and come in a variety of flavors, sizes and packaging. The original Twizzlers candy is strawberry flavored, but other popular flavors include cherry, chocolate, liquorice and more.
Twizzlers were first produced in 1929 by Young and Smylie in Brooklyn, New York. The candy gained popularity after production was taken over by Hershey in the 1970s. Today, over 160 million Twizzlers are produced each day in Hershey’s factories.
The main ingredients in Twizzlers are wheat flour, corn syrup, sugar and palm oil. The wheat flour gives the candy its chewy texture, while the corn syrup and sugar provide sweetness. Natural and artificial flavorings and colors are also added depending on the specific Twizzlers variety.
Does Wheat Flour Contain Gluten?
Yes, wheat flour contains gluten. Gluten is the general name for the main storage proteins found in wheat and other cereal grains like barley, rye and triticale. It is comprised of two protein groups: gliadins and glutenins. When flour and water are mixed together and kneaded, these proteins form elastic strands that give bread dough it’s chewy texture.
All forms of wheat – including whole wheat, white wheat, durum wheat and others – contain gluten. So any food made with wheat flour, such as bread, pasta, cookies, crackers and more, contains gluten. The only exceptions are special gluten-free wheat starches, which have had the gluten specifically removed.
Since regular wheat flour contains gluten, the wheat flour in Twizzlers also contains this protein.
Is There Gluten in Other Twizzlers Ingredients?
No, the other main ingredients in Twizzlers – corn syrup, sugar and palm oil – do not naturally contain gluten. However, there is a possibility of gluten cross-contamination during manufacturing.
Corn syrup is made from corn starch. Corn is a gluten-free grain, so pure corn syrup should not contain any gluten. However, some facilities make corn syrup on equipment also used for gluten-containing grains, introducing the chance for cross-contamination.
Refined white sugar does not contain any gluten. However, some facilities add wheat flour to help filter and process the sugar. This could introduce traces of gluten into the final product.
Palm oil is extracted from the fruit of palm trees, so it does not naturally contain gluten. But again, cross-contamination is possible if it is processed in a facility that also handles gluten.
So while the main ingredients besides wheat flour are gluten-free, cross-contamination during manufacturing and processing is a potential concern.
Are Twizzlers Labeled Gluten-Free?
No, Twizzlers are not labeled as a gluten-free food. Since they contain wheat flour, they cannot make a “gluten-free” claim according to FDA regulations. Any product labeled gluten-free must contain less than 20 parts per million of gluten.
On Twizzlers packaging, you will see statements like:
– Contains wheat
– Made in a facility that processes wheat
These statements make it clear that Twizzlers contain gluten and are not safe for a gluten-free diet.
Some candy brands that do not contain wheat flour are labeled gluten-free, such as:
– Red Vines
– Trolli Gummi Candy
– Jolly Rancher Hard Candy
But Twizzlers does not make a gluten-free claim on any of its products.
Has Hershey’s Tested Twizzlers for Gluten?
Hershey’s indicates that they have not tested Twizzlers to determine an exact gluten amount. Since the products contain wheat flour, Hershey’s states that all Twizzlers varieties should be considered unsafe for gluten-free diets.
Some candies made by Hershey’s are periodically tested for gluten and labeled “gluten-free” if results are below 20 ppm, such as Hershey’s chocolate bars. But this testing and labeling has not been done for Twizzlers.
Hershey’s advises those with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity not to consume any Twizzlers products due to the presence of wheat flour.
Could Cross-Contamination Occur in Hershey’s Factories?
Yes, there is the potential for cross-contamination with gluten during the manufacturing process at Hershey’s factories.
Although Hershey’s has not released details about their equipment and facilities, it’s likely that Twizzlers are produced on shared equipment and production lines. The wheat flour used in Twizzlers could potentially come into contact with other gluten-free candies made by Hershey’s, leading to cross-contamination.
Hershey’s indicates that the occupational health and food safety programs at their facilities follow guidelines set by organizations like OSHA and the FDA. However, they do not make any guarantees regarding the gluten-free status of products not labeled gluten-free.
So although major contamination is unlikely due to food safety protocols, trace amounts of gluten from shared equipment could make their way into other candies produced by Hershey’s.
What About Potential Cross-Contamination During Packaging?
Cross-contamination during packaging is also a possibility to consider.
After being manufactured, Twizzlers need to be packaged into their iconic long boxes and bags. This packaging process likely involves shared equipment that also packages other gluten-free candies.
While dedicated gluten-free production lines exist, they are primarily used by companies that focus specifically on gluten-free foods. Large candy companies like Hershey’s likely use shared packaging equipment to improve efficiency and lower costs.
So again, while major gluten contamination is unlikely, the potential exists for trace amounts to get into gluten-free candies during packaging.
Can I Contact Hershey’s About Gluten Testing?
You can contact Hershey’s to ask about potential gluten testing of products and cross-contamination risks:
Phone: 1-800-468-1714
Email: https://www.thehersheycompany.com/en_us/contact-us.html
However, Hershey’s has made no indication that testing is performed on products not labeled gluten-free. Their position is that Twizzlers contain wheat flour and should be avoided by those with gluten-related disorders.
If minimizing even traces of gluten is critical for your health, it may be best to avoid Twizzlers and contact Hershey’s regarding which candies they can confirm as gluten-free.
Should Celiacs and Gluten-Sensitive Individuals Eat Twizzlers?
Based on the available information, individuals with celiac disease or non-celiac gluten sensitivity should avoid eating Twizzlers.
Here’s a quick summary of the key points:
– Twizzlers contain wheat flour, which naturally contains gluten.
– Hershey’s has not tested Twizzlers for gluten or labeled them “gluten-free”.
– Potential cross-contamination with gluten exists during manufacturing and packaging at Hershey’s facilities.
– Hershey’s advises that Twizzlers are not suitable for gluten-free diets due to the wheat flour content.
While some people with mild gluten sensitivity may not react strongly to traces of gluten, those with celiac disease should avoid Twizzlers to prevent intestinal damage. Children with celiac disease may be especially sensitive to even small amounts of the protein.
Overall, Twizzlers are not considered a safe gluten-free food choice. Those strictly avoiding gluten have many other candy options clearly labeled gluten-free to choose from instead.
Can Celiacs Safely Eat Other Hershey’s Candies?
Many popular Hershey’s products are labeled gluten-free and likely safe for most celiacs when consumed in moderation as part of a healthy diet.
Some Hershey’s candies that contain no wheat ingredients and are labeled gluten-free include:
– Hershey’s Milk Chocolate
– Hershey’s Special Dark Chocolate
– Hershey’s Cookies ‘n’ Creme
– Hershey’s Milk Chocolate with Almonds
– Whoppers Original Malted Milk Balls
– Jolly Rancher Hard Candies
However, individuals with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity should still check labels carefully, even on products marked gluten-free. Ingredients and manufacturing processes can change over time. People with celiac disease must avoid any gluten cross-contamination risk from shared equipment.
Those with severe celiac disease may also want to contact Hershey’s directly to ask about frequent gluten testing of products labeled gluten-free. But overall, many popular Hershey’s candies are safe gluten-free treats when consumed in moderation.
Guidelines for Following a Gluten-Free Diet with Celiac Disease
Here are some key guidelines to remember when following a strict gluten-free diet to manage celiac disease:
– Check ingredient labels carefully and avoid any foods containing wheat, barley, rye or ambiguous ingredients like “natural flavors.”
– Look for the “gluten-free” certification label from organizations like GFCO, which requires independent testing.
– Avoid foods with advisory labels like “may contain wheat,” “made in a shared facility” etc.
– Call or email manufacturers if you have any questions or concerns about ingredients or labeling.
– Watch out for cross-contamination in the kitchen from shared surfaces, utensils and appliances.
– Carefully read labels of non-food items like medications, vitamin supplements and lip balms.
– Ask about gluten ingredients when dining out and only eat at restaurants that understand gluten-free prep.
– Join a celiac disease support group to get advice on the gluten-free diet from others with the condition.
Following a strict gluten-free diet takes diligence and label reading, but it ensures you avoid the health consequences of any gluten exposure. Over time, reading labels and calling manufacturers becomes second nature.
The Bottom Line
So are Twizzlers high in gluten? Due to the wheat flour content, Twizzlers should be considered unsafe for those with celiac disease and gluten sensitivity. While Hershey’s has not tested the exact gluten amounts in Twizzlers, the presence of wheat flour means they cannot be considered gluten-free. Individuals following a gluten-free diet should avoid eating Twizzlers and instead choose candies that are clearly labeled as gluten-free.
