Quick Answer
Celiacs need to avoid gluten, which is found in wheat, barley and rye. Sour Patch Kids are considered gluten-free, meaning celiacs can often eat them without issue. However, there is still a small chance of cross-contamination during manufacturing. Celiacs should check the label each time they purchase Sour Patch Kids, especially around the holidays when production methods may change.
What are Sour Patch Kids?
Sour Patch Kids are soft, chewy candy that is coated in a layer of sour sugar. They have a soft middle and come in a variety of fruit flavors like orange, lemon, raspberry, grape and cherry. Sour Patch Kids are produced by Mondelez International, which also makes other popular candies like Sour Patch Watermelons, Swedish Fish, and Haribo gummy bears.
Sour Patch Kids first appeared on the market in the 1970s. They started as an experiment from Frank Galatolie, who worked for a company called Malcolm Powell. Galatolie was trying to copy the success of Swedish Fish candies, but wanted to add a sour powder coating to part of the gummy candy.
His idea worked and Sour Patch Kids grew into an incredibly popular candy brand. While the Sour Patch Kid is the most iconic product, Mondelez International has expanded the brand over the years.
Today Sour Patch Kids come in various spin-off candies, including:
– Sour Patch Kids Berry Blast
– Sour Patch Kids Tropical
– Sour Patch Kids Redberry
– Sour Patch Kids Blue Raspberry
– Sour Patch Kids Extreme Sour
– Sour Patch Kids Watermelons
– Sour Patch Kids Peaches
The candies also now come in different formats like a soda, ice cream, gummis, lollipops, and jelly beans.
Sour Patch Kids Nutrition Facts
Here are the nutrition facts for 1 ounce (28g) of Sour Patch Kids candies:
| Calories | 110 |
|---|---|
| Fat | 0 g |
| Sodium | 10 mg |
| Carbohydrates | 28 g |
| Sugar | 22 g |
| Protein | 0 g |
As you can see, Sour Patch Kids are almost entirely made up of sugar. There is also a small amount of sodium, likely from citric acid used to make the candies sour.
Besides sugar, the main ingredients in Sour Patch Kids include:
– Corn syrup
– Modified corn starch
– Gelatin
– Citric acid
– Natural and artificial flavors
– Colors (Red 40, Blue 1, Yellow 5, Yellow 6)
So while Sour Patch Kids aren’t the most nutritious treat, they are fat-free and gluten-free.
Are Sour Patch Kids Gluten Free?
Gluten is a protein found in grains like wheat, barley and rye. It helps give elasticity to dough, which is why it’s found in so many bread and baked products.
However, gluten is problematic for those with celiac disease or non-celiac gluten sensitivity. When they eat it, it can damage the small intestine and cause symptoms like diarrhea, bloating, fatigue and stomach pain.
So for people with celiac disease, sticking to a strict gluten-free diet is important.
The good news is Sour Patch Kids are considered gluten-free. According to Mondelez International, their candies are produced in facilities free of the major food allergens, including wheat/gluten.
Sour Patch Kids also don’t contain any ingredients derived from gluten-containing grains. The main ingredients like sugar, corn syrup, and gelatin are naturally free of gluten.
Therefore, Sour Patch Kids themselves do not contain any gluten that could harm someone with celiac disease.
Risk of Cross Contamination
While Sour Patch Kids don’t contain gluten ingredients, there is still a small risk of cross contamination during manufacturing.
Cross contamination means gluten could accidentally be introduced during production from shared equipment, workers, or facilities.
Many large candy companies like Mondelez International make multiple products on shared equipment. And some of these products do contain wheat and gluten, like cookies, crackers or pretzels.
So while the equipment is thoroughly cleaned between products, trace amounts of gluten could still get into the Sour Patch Kids.
Mondelez International does label their candies as gluten-free though. For a product to be labeled gluten-free in the U.S., it must contain less than 20 parts per million (ppm) of gluten.
This extremely low level means most celiacs tolerate the candies without reacting. One study found that only 1% of celiacs reacted to products with less than 20 ppm of gluten.
However, celiacs who are extremely sensitive should still check the label each time they buy Sour Patch Kids. That’s because manufacturing processes can change, especially around holidays when production increases.
Are They Safe in Other Countries?
In the U.S., Sour Patch Kids are labeled gluten-free and made on equipment free of wheat and gluten.
But in other countries like Canada, the United Kingdom, and Australia, the candies are often NOT labeled gluten-free.
For example, on the Mondelez Australia website, it states:
“Sour Patch Kids are made on equipment shared with wheat/gluten containing products. They are not labelled as gluten free.”
So in these countries, celiacs need to be more cautious of cross contamination risk. If you live outside the U.S., check the label carefully each time you purchase the candies.
Other Tips for Celiacs
Here are some other tips for celiacs considering enjoying Sour Patch Kids:
– Check the label every time you buy them, since manufacturing processes can change
– Ensure they are produced by Mondelez International
– Buy them from a store with high product turnover to get the freshest batch
– Avoid holiday versions which may be made differently
– Enjoy them in moderation as part of an overall healthy gluten-free diet
– Watch for symptoms of gluten exposure like bloating or diarrhea
Ultimately, the decision depends on your sensitivity level and comfort with possible cross contamination. Many celiacs can handle trace amounts without reacting. But if you are highly sensitive, it may be best to avoid them.
Alternatives to Sour Patch Kids
If you don’t feel comfortable eating Sour Patch Kids as a celiac, there are plenty of other great gluten-free candy options, including:
– Skittles
– Swedish Fish
– Jelly Bellys
– Haribo gummy bears
– Albanese gummy bears
– Starburst
– Lifesavers
– Jolly Ranchers
– Twizzlers
– Airheads
– Nerds
– Sunkist Fruit Gems
– Tootsie Rolls/Fruit Rolls
– Smarties
– Lemonheads
– Mike and Ike’s
– Dots
– Gumballs
– Licorice
– Lollipops
– Hershey’s chocolate bars
– Reese’s Peanut Butter cups
– Kit Kats
– Whoppers
– Milk Duds
– Runts
– M&Ms (plain)
– Snickers
– Heath bars
– Three Musketeers
– Laffy Taffy
Many major brands of candy are labeled gluten-free, since most are made with ingredients like sugar, corn syrup, starch, artificial colors and natural flavors. Licorice, lollipops and gumballs are also naturally gluten-free.
Of course, always double check the label since formulas can change. And still enjoy gluten-free candy in moderation as part of an overall healthy celiac diet.
Making Your Own Gluten-Free Gummy Candy
If you enjoy the texture of gummy candy, another option is to make your own at home. This let’s you control all the ingredients and prevents any cross contamination.
There are many gluten-free gummy bear recipes online using ingredients like fruit juice, gelatin and honey or corn syrup. You can also buy gluten-free kits to make DIY gummy bears with natural colors and flavors.
Making gummy candy does take more effort than just buying it. But it can be a fun activity, especially with kids. And you’ll have peace of mind knowing there is no risk of gluten exposure.
The Bottom Line
So can celiacs have Sour Patch Kids? The candies themselves are gluten-free and made without wheat or gluten ingredients. However, there is a small chance of cross contamination during manufacturing.
Many celiacs can tolerate the trace amounts and enjoy Sour Patch Kids in moderation without issues. But more sensitive celiacs may want to steer clear to be safe. If you do eat them, thoroughly check the label each time to ensure the formula hasn’t changed.
There are also plenty of other gluten-free candies to consider if you need an alternative. And you can even make DIY gummy bears at home. Overall, enjoying the occasional gluten-free treat can be part of a healthy celiac diet as long as you are aware of the risks.