Quick Answer
Laffy Taffy does not contain gluten or dairy. Laffy Taffy is gluten-free and dairy-free, making it safe for people with celiac disease or lactose intolerance. The ingredients in Laffy Taffy are sugar, corn syrup, hydrogenated palm kernel oil, less than 2% of malic acid, artificial flavors, colors (Red 40 Lake, Yellow 6 Lake, Blue 1 Lake), soy lecithin, and confectioner’s glaze. None of these ingredients contain gluten, which is found in wheat, barley, and rye. Laffy Taffy also does not contain milk, cream, butter or any other dairy ingredients.
Ingredients in Laffy Taffy
As mentioned above, the main ingredients in Laffy Taffy are:
- Sugar
- Corn syrup
- Hydrogenated palm kernel oil
- Malic acid
- Artificial flavors
- Food coloring (Red 40 Lake, Yellow 6 Lake, Blue 1 Lake)
- Soy lecithin
- Confectioner’s glaze
None of these contain any gluten or dairy. Let’s take a closer look at each ingredient:
Sugar
The sugar in Laffy Taffy is likely derived from sugar beets or sugarcane. Neither of these plants contain gluten. Refined white sugar does not contain any protein, so it is naturally gluten-free.
Corn syrup
Corn syrup is made from cornstarch. Corn does not contain gluten, so corn syrup is gluten-free. It is also dairy-free.
Hydrogenated palm kernel oil
Palm kernel oil comes from the palm fruit. It does not contain gluten or dairy. The oil is hydrogenated, meaning it is processed to make it more solid. This process does not introduce any gluten or dairy either.
Malic acid
Malic acid is an organic compound that provides tartness. It is found naturally in fruits such as apples. Malic acid does not contain gluten or dairy.
Artificial flavors
The artificial flavors in Laffy Taffy are created in a lab to mimic certain flavors. They do not contain any major food allergens, including gluten and dairy.
Food coloring
The food colorings used in Laffy Taffy – Red 40 Lake, Yellow 6 Lake, Blue 1 Lake – are petroleum-derived colors. They do not contain gluten or dairy.
Soy lecithin
Soy lecithin is an emulsifier made from soybeans. Since it comes from soy, it does not contain gluten, which is found in grains. It also does not contain dairy.
Confectioner’s glaze
Confectioner’s glaze is a food-grade shellac that provides a glossy coating on candies. It is made from the resin of female lac bugs. Confectioner’s glaze does not contain gluten or dairy.
As you can see, all of the ingredients in Laffy Taffy are free of gluten and dairy. Now let’s look at some common questions about Laffy Taffy’s ingredients and allergens.
Common Questions
Does Laffy Taffy contain wheat?
No, Laffy Taffy does not contain wheat. None of the ingredients are derived from wheat. Therefore, Laffy Taffy is safe for people with celiac disease or a wheat allergy.
Does Laffy Taffy contain milk, dairy, or lactose?
No, Laffy Taffy is dairy-free. It does not contain milk, cream, butter, cheese, or any other dairy ingredients. Laffy Taffy also does not contain lactose, the natural sugar found in dairy. This makes it safe for people with lactose intolerance.
Is Laffy Taffy nut-free?
Yes, Laffy Taffy is nut-free. None of the ingredients contain nuts, including peanuts, almonds, walnuts, etc. This makes Laffy Taffy safe for people with nut allergies.
Is Laffy Taffy vegan?
Strict vegans may want to avoid Laffy Taffy due to the confectioner’s glaze ingredient. Confectioner’s glaze is made from shellac, which comes from lac bugs. Most vegans eat plant-based products only. However, some types of Confectioner’s glaze can be made from synthetic materials, in which case Laffy Taffy would be considered vegan. Check the specific source if you need to avoid lac bug-derived ingredients.
Is Laffy Taffy kosher?
Yes, Laffy Taffy is certified kosher. The Orthodox Union certifies Laffy Taffy as being kosher. This means it follows Jewish dietary laws and is suitable for consumption. The OU symbol can be found on Laffy Taffy packaging.
Does Laffy Taffy have egg, fish, or soy?
Laffy Taffy does not contain egg, fish, or soy proteins – with the exception of soy lecithin. Soy lecithin is an emulsifier derived from soybeans, but highly purified. According to the FDA, highly refined soy lecithin does not contain sufficient protein residues to trigger allergic reactions in the majority of soy-allergic consumers. However, people with severe soy allergies should be cautious and check with their doctor before consuming Laffy Taffy.
What about preservatives like mono and diglycerides?
Laffy Taffy does not contain any added preservatives like mono and diglycerides. It uses hydrogenated oil to help preserve the taffy without needing additional preservatives. The ingredients list does not declare any additive preservatives.
Cross-Contact Risk
While Laffy Taffy itself does not contain gluten, dairy or major allergens, there is a slight chance of cross-contact during manufacturing. People with severe food allergies should be aware of this risk.
Some potential sources of cross-contact include:
- Shared manufacturing lines – Other candies containing gluten, dairy, nuts, etc could be processed on the same lines.
- Shared facility – Laffy Taffy is made in a facility that also processes other products with food allergens.
- Shared equipment – The machines used to make Laffy Taffy could be used for products with different allergens.
The risk is low, as food manufacturing facilities have allergen control procedures like cleaning between production runs. But there is no guarantee the product will be 100% free of trace amounts. People with food intolerances are less likely to react to small cross-contact amounts. However, people with life-threatening food allergies should take precautions.
Laffy Taffy Flavors
Laffy Taffy comes in a wide variety of artificial fruit flavors. Here is a list of some popular Laffy Taffy flavor varieties:
| Laffy Taffy Flavor | Color | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Cherry | Red | Tart cherry candy flavor |
| Strawberry | Pink | Sweet strawberry flavor |
| Grape | Purple | Bold grape candy flavor |
| Green Apple | Green | Tangy green apple taste |
| Watermelon | Pink & Green | Watermelon candy flavor |
| Blue Raspberry | Blue | Sweet, tart blue raspberry |
| Banana | Yellow | Creamy banana flavor |
| Fruit Punch | Red & Yellow | Tropical fruit punch blend |
| Mango | Orange | Luscious mango taste |
| Pineapple | Yellow | Juicy pineapple candy flavor |
The exact formulations vary by flavor and can change over time. Some flavors are discontinued while new ones can be introduced. Regardless of the fruit flavoring, the base taffy recipe and ingredients remain the same. This means all Laffy Taffy flavors are gluten-free and dairy-free.
Buying Gluten-Free and Dairy-Free Laffy Taffy
You can find gluten-free, dairy-free Laffy Taffy in many grocery stores, convenience stores, discount shops, movie theaters and more. It comes in single-flavor packs and variety packs. Here are some tips for purchasing:
- Check labels – Read ingredient lists and allergen statements for “gluten-free” and “dairy-free” language.
- Look for certification symbols – Many gluten-free products display a GF certification symbol.
- Buy individually wrapped – Opt for single-wrapped taffies to reduce cross-contact risks.
- Avoid bulk bins – Scooping from shared bulk bins increases cross-contact chances.
- Look for allergy-friendly brands – Some brands clearly state allergen info on labels.
- Purchase from allergy-conscious stores – Many health food stores provide careful allergen-handling.
You can also buy Laffy Taffy online from the manufacturer, candy retailers and gluten-free specialty shops. These provide wider flavor selections and allergy-friendly assurances.
Enjoying Laffy Taffy on a Special Diet
Here are some tips for incorporating Laffy Taffy into gluten-free, dairy-free and other special diets:
- Read labels carefully – Double check ingredients each time, as formulations can change.
- Watch portion size – Laffy Taffy is still candy, so enjoy a couple pieces as a treat.
- Pair with other allergy-friendly candies for variety – Trade with friends if you have different diet needs.
- Bring your own to parties and movie theaters – Make sure you have diet-appropriate treats on hand.
- Use Laffy Taffy for arts, crafts and games – Get creative if you have leftover bulk taffies.
- Make sure kids with allergies carry epinephrine – Have emergency medication on hand.
With some care taken to select gluten and dairy-free varieties, Laffy Taffy can be enjoyed by most people with food intolerances or allergies. The main concern is avoiding cross-contact for those with severe sensitivities. Overall, Laffy Taffy is a nice option when you want an allergy-friendly chewy fruit candy!
Dairy-Free Taffy Alternatives
In addition to dairy-free Laffy Taffy, here are some other taffy candies that are free of milk, butter, cream and lactose:
- ABBA-ZABBA Taffy Bars – Chewy peanut butter-flavored taffy with a creamy interior. Dairy, gluten and nut-free.
- Bit-O-Honey – Honey-flavored taffy with almond bits. Contains no dairy, gluten or nuts. Check labels for coconut.
- Toxic Waste Hazardously Sour Chewy Candies – Extreme sour taffy in fruity flavors. Dairy, gluten, nut and soy-free.
- Gimbal’s Scottie Dogs – Taffy in the shape of hot dog slices. All flavors are dairy, gluten, nut, soy and egg-free.
- Kenny’s Candy Taffy Bars – Old-fashioned taffy bars like salt water taffy. Dairy, gluten, nut and soy-free.
There are also many smaller brands of taffy made in dedicated allergy-friendly facilities. These provide more variety of flavors and textures for dairy-free, vegan or other special diets.
Conclusion
In summary, Laffy Taffy is free of gluten and dairy, making it safe for people with celiac disease or lactose intolerance. Its ingredients do not contain wheat, milk, or other major allergens. There is a small chance of cross-contact from manufacturing, so people with severe allergies should take care. Overall, Laffy Taffy’s nostalgic fruity candy flavors can be enjoyed by most on a gluten or dairy-free diet when selecting an allergen-friendly variety. With a careful review of labels and proper precautions, Laffy Taffy is a tasty gluten and dairy-free candy option.
