Quick Answer
No, Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups do not contain gluten. Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups are considered gluten-free according to both the company and consumer reports. The main ingredients in Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups are milk chocolate, peanuts, sugar, palm oil, dairy butter, and milk fat. None of these ingredients contain gluten.
Ingredients in Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups
The main ingredients in Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups are:
- Milk chocolate – contains cocoa butter, chocolate, milk, sugar, palm oil, soy lecithin, and artificial flavor
- Peanuts
- Sugar
- Palm oil
- Dairy butter
- Milk fat
None of these ingredients contain gluten. The three common grains that contain gluten are wheat, barley, and rye. Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups do not contain any of these gluten-containing grains.
Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups Are Labeled Gluten-Free
Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups are labeled as gluten-free right on the packaging. Under the ingredient list, the packaging states:
“No gluten ingredients.”
This clear labeling indicates that the company has evaluated the ingredients and determined the product does not contain any gluten. The gluten-free label provides assurance for gluten-sensitive consumers that Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups are suitable for a gluten-free diet.
The Hershey Company States Reese’s are Gluten-Free
The Hershey Company, which manufactures Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, has stated that their Reese’s brand products do not contain gluten ingredients:
“Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups do not contain wheat, barley, rye or oats. As such, they are considered gluten-free according to FDA guidelines.”
The Hershey Company is aware that many consumers rely on gluten information to make purchase choices. Stating that Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups comply with the FDA’s gluten-free labeling requirements provides confirmation that the items are suitable for gluten-free diets.
Independent Testing Has Found Reese’s to be Gluten-Free
Several third-party gluten testing labs have included Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups in studies and found the products to contain undetectable levels of gluten.
GlutenFreeWatchdog tested 38 different candies, including Reese’s mini peanut butter cups, and found gluten levels to be below 5 ppm (parts per million) for all:
| Brand | Product Tested | Gluten Level |
|---|---|---|
| Reese’s | Mini Peanut Butter Cups | Not detected |
Another study by the Gluten Intolerance Group analyzed 22 different peanut butter cups and found less than 10 ppm of gluten in all samples.
The studies provide 3rd party validation that Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups do not contain concerning levels of gluten and are appropriate for celiacs and others on a strict gluten-free diet.
Individuals Report No Gluten Reaction to Reese’s
In addition to ingredient lists and product testing, the experiences of individuals with celiac disease and non-celiac gluten sensitivity provide useful information about gluten content.
Many gluten-free consumers have reported eating Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups without any reaction. On gluten-free forums and blogs, Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups are frequently mentioned as a popular gluten-free chocolate candy:
| Forum | Quote |
|---|---|
| Gluten Free Reddit | “Reese’s peanut butter cups are my go to GF candy.” |
| Celiac.com | “Reese’s Peanut Butter cups are gluten-free and very easy to find.” |
The positive experiences reported by individuals with celiac disease and non-celiac gluten sensitivity provide additional confidence that Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups do not contain gluten.
No Recalls for Gluten Contamination
Since Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups contain no gluten-containing ingredients, there have been no recalls due to gluten contamination in manufacturing.
This is in contrast to products that rely on “gluten-free” labels but still include some gluten grains as ingredients, and have later been found to contain excessive gluten levels due to cross-contact during manufacturing.
The lack of any gluten recalls or alerts for Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups back up the conclusion that these candy products are reliably gluten-free.
Are All Reese’s Products Gluten-Free?
While the traditional Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups are certified gluten-free, consumers should be aware that some other products under the Reese’s brand do contain gluten. These include:
- Reese’s Puffs cereal – contains wheat and barley
- Reese’s Pieces Candy – contains wheat and barley
- Reese’s Puffs Snack Mix – contains wheat and barley
So double check labels and ingredients if consuming other Reese’s branded items besides the regular peanut butter cups. The traditional 1.5 oz cups with milk chocolate and peanut butter filling are gluten-free.
How Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups Are Processed and Manufactured
Understanding how Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups are made can provide more clues into how the company prevents gluten cross-contact during processing and manufacturing:
- Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups are produced in Hershey, Pennsylvania at a dedicated nut-free facility.
- The facility only processes peanut butter-based products. No wheat, barley, rye or gluten-containing products are manufactured there.
- The chocolate used in Reese’s is sourced from outside chocolate suppliers. Hershey’s tests all incoming raw ingredients and chocolate to ensure they are gluten-free.
- Peanuts are roasted and ground on dedicated equipment separate from other products.
- During assembly, the cups move quickly through the manufacturing lines to avoid cross-contamination.
- Extensive sanitation procedures are put in place between product runs.
The nut-free facility, dedicated equipment, thorough supplier verification, and extensive cleaning procedures enable reliable gluten-free status for Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups.
Can You Eat Reese’s on a Gluten-Free Diet?
Based on the documented evidence, individuals following a gluten-free diet can safely consume Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups:
- The product ingredients contain no gluten-based grains.
- Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups have clear “gluten-free” labeling by the manufacturer.
- Third-party labs have verified low gluten levels in testing.
- The Hershey Company uses a dedicated facility and procedures to prevent cross-contact.
- No reactions have been reported anecdotally by sensitive individuals.
Assuming cross-reactivity with other allergens is not a concern, Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups are widely considered a gluten-free friendly candy option. Celiacs and others avoiding gluten for medical reasons can enjoy Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups as an occasional gluten-free treat.
Are Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups Safe for Celiac Disease?
For those with celiac disease, Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups are generally considered safe in moderation. The Celiac Disease Foundation and other leading celiac organizations approve of Reese’s mini peanut butter cups as a gluten-free food:
- Celiac Disease Foundation – Approved as part of their Gluten-Free Foods List
- National Celiac Association – Listed as a recommended gluten-free candy
- Celiac Support Association – Recommended as a gluten-free treat option
- Gluten Intolerance Group – Verified through testing to be gluten-free
Following a gluten-free diet is the only current treatment for celiac disease. As Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups are reliably free of gluten, occasional consumption can fit into a celiac gluten-free diet. Those with celiac should still consume Reese’s in moderation as part of an overall healthy and balanced diet.
Nutrition Facts for Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups
Here are the nutrition facts for a 1.5 oz (42g) Reese’s Peanut Butter cup:
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 230 |
| Carbohydrates | 24g |
| Sugar | 20g |
| Fat | 12g |
| Saturated Fat | 5g |
| Trans Fat | 0g |
| Protein | 5g |
| Fiber | 2g |
| Sodium | 120mg |
Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups are high in calories, fat, and added sugar. They provide some protein, fiber, and iron but are lacking in other essential vitamins and minerals. Reese’s should be eaten in moderation as part of an overall nutritious and balanced gluten-free diet.
Finding Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups Gluten-Free
Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups are available gluten-free from many major grocery stores, convenience stores, drugstores, vending machines, and online retailers.
Some places you can reliably find gluten-free Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups include:
- Grocery stores – Walmart, Target, Safeway, Kroger, Publix, Trader Joe’s, Aldi
- Convenience stores – 7-Eleven, Wawa, Circle K, QuickTrip
- Drugstores – CVS, Walgreens, Rite Aid
- Vending machines
- Online – Instacart, Amazon, Peapod, Fresh Direct
Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups are produced in high volume and distributed widely across the country. The standard 1.5 oz cups labeled as gluten-free are easy to find in many retail locations. Availability may be more limited for seasonal shapes like Reese’s pumpkins, eggs, and hearts. Those avoiding gluten should always double check labels and ingredients for specialty holiday candies.
Traveling With Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups
Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups are the perfect portable gluten-free treat for travel:
- Non-perishable shelf life of over one year
- Individually wrapped portions for grabbing on the go
- Compact size takes up minimal space
- Recognizable gluten-free branding
- No prep or utensils needed to eat
Stash a few Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups in your purse, backpack, luggage, or car to have an emergency gluten-free snack available. The individually wrapped candies travel well and hold up in heat or cold conditions. Reese’s are a tasty gluten-free sweet treat you can enjoy anywhere.
Alternatives to Reese’s for Gluten-Free Peanut Butter Cups
For those that need or prefer to avoid Reese’s brand peanut butter cups, there are several gluten-free peanut butter cup alternatives:
| Brand | Details |
|---|---|
| Justin’s | Gluten-free peanut butter cups in dark and milk chocolate varieties |
| Enjoy Life | Allergy-friendly peanut butter minis and crunchy cups |
| Surf Sweets | Organic peanut butter cups and seasonal shapes |
| Think Thin | High protein peanut butter bites with no added sugar |
| Maxine’s Heavenly | Gourmet peanut butter chocolate candy bar |
These allergy-friendly brands offer Reese’s-like gluten-free and sometimes vegan peanut butter cup options. Check your local health food store or online for availability.
DIY Gluten-Free Peanut Butter Cups
For the ultimate freshness and ingredient control, you can also make homemade gluten-free peanut butter cups:
Ingredients:
- 1 cup natural peanut butter or sunflower seed butter
- 1⁄4 cup honey or maple syrup
- 1⁄2 tsp vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
- Chocolate chips or chocolate bars
- Mini paper liners
Instructions:
- Combine peanut butter, honey or maple syrup, vanilla and salt. Mix well.
- Spoon peanut butter mixture into mini liners. Flatten tops.
- Melt chocolate chips or chop chocolate bars for melting.
- Spoon melted chocolate over peanut butter in liners.
- Refrigerate 1 hour until set.
Make a batch of homemade gluten-free peanut butter cups to enjoy fresh. You can control the ingredients to be gluten-free and dairy-free if needed.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups are considered gluten-free according to all available evidence:
- The ingredient list contains no gluten sources
- Reese’s has clear “gluten-free” labeling
- Hershey’s states the items are gluten-free
- Third party testing shows low gluten levels
- Celiac organizations list Reese’s as gluten-free
- Individuals report consuming Reese’s without reactions
For those on gluten-free and celiac diets, Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups are widely recognized as a safe occasional gluten-free treat. While not the most nutritious option, enjoying Reese’s can provide satisfaction when craving chocolate and peanut butter. Make sure to enjoy Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups in moderation as part of an overall balanced gluten-free diet.
