Gluten-free diets have become increasingly popular in recent years, with more and more people choosing to avoid gluten for medical or lifestyle reasons. For those with celiac disease or non-celiac gluten sensitivity, eating gluten can cause serious health issues. For others, going gluten-free is a dietary choice they feel improves their overall health and wellbeing. With the rising demand for gluten-free products, many food manufacturers have started labeling items as “gluten-free” to appeal to this market. But determining if a product is truly gluten-free can be tricky, especially when it comes to candy and other sweets.
What is Fun Dip?
Fun Dip is a candy made by the Bazaar and Novelty Candy Company (BNC). It was first introduced in the 1940s and consists of a stick used to dip and lick flavored powder. The original flavors were cherry and lemon, but over the years Fun Dip has expanded to include other fruit flavors like grape, apple, and raspberry. Each packet comes with the flavored powder and a flat candy stick shaped like a long spoon. Popular varieties today include Fun Dip Squeeze Pops, Fun Dip Dunk N Lick, and Fun Dip Candy Sticks.
What is the Razz Apple flavor?
Razz Apple is one of the many fruit flavor varieties of Fun Dip. True to its name, it combines raspberry and apple flavors into the sugary candy powder. The powder is colored bright pink and red to match the berry-apple taste. It comes packaged with the signature Fun Dip flat spoon-shaped licker stick, which kids and adults alike use to scoop up and enjoy the Razz Apple powder. The sour then sweet taste profile has made it a standout among other Fun Dip flavors over the years.
Does Fun Dip contain gluten?
Unfortunately, there is no definitive answer as to whether basic Fun Dip products contain gluten. The manufacturer, Bazaar & Novelty Candy Company, does not make any gluten-free claims or certifications about regular Fun Dip. There is also no “gluten-free” labeling on the classic Fun Dip packs. The ingredients are not disclosed in detail either. So there is no way to confirm if wheat/gluten might be present in the original formula.
Without explicit gluten-free labeling or confirmation from the manufacturer, it’s generally safest for those with celiac disease or gluten intolerance to avoid products with ambiguous gluten information. For classic Fun Dip, it remains unclear if gluten could be found in either the flavored powder or licker stick.
Does Fun Dip Razz Apple contain gluten?
Like original Fun Dip, there is no specific information about the Razz Apple variety being gluten-free either. Razz Apple Fun Dip contains: Sugar, Corn Syrup, Malic Acid, Red 40 Lake, Blue 1 Lake, Glycerin, Natural and Artificial Flavors. The ingredient list does not call out any overt sources of gluten like wheat, barley, rye or malt. However, many candy companies use shared equipment and facilities for gluten and gluten-free candies, which introduces the risk of cross-contamination. The vague “Natural Flavors” could also potentially contain gluten.
Since Bazaar & Novelty Candy Company does not confirm Razz Apple Fun Dip is gluten-free or processed in a dedicated facility, those with celiac disease or gluten intolerance should use caution and likely avoid this product to be safe.
Are any Fun Dip products explicitly gluten-free?
Fortunately, some varieties of Fun Dip are now labeled as gluten-free by the manufacturer. In recent years, Bazaar & Novelty Candy Company has released new Fun Dip products that specifically say “gluten-free” on the packaging. These certified gluten-free options include:
- Fun Dip Squeeze Pop Tubes (select flavors)
- Fun Dip Flavor Mix Sugar
- Fun Dip Dunk N Lick Powder
For example, certain Fun Dip Squeeze Pop liquid candy tubes prominently state “Gluten Free” on the label along with the flavors that are gluten-free certified. This includes the Sour Apple, Berry Blast and Carnival Candy (Cotton Candy) flavors. The manufacturer has taken care to ensure no gluten sources made their way into these products.
The Fun Dip website also lists out which flavors are gluten-free in their FAQ section. So some Fun Dip products definitely exist that are safe for gluten-free diets!
How to enjoy Fun Dip Razz Apple gluten-free
Those wanting to enjoy the classic Razz Apple Fun Dip flavor while avoiding gluten have a few options:
- Choose one of the certified gluten-free Fun Dip products instead like the Squeeze Pop tubes or Dunk N Licks.
- Make a DIY gluten-free Fun Dip at home by following simple recipes online that use gluten-free ingredients like powdered sugar and drink mixes.
- Opt for other gluten-free dipping candy products like Lik-M-Aid or Pixy Stix.
With some creative adjustments, people who are gluten-free don’t have to miss out on enjoying similar powdered candy dip experiences. And thankfully the makers of Fun Dip have released verifiably gluten-free versions to choose from too.
Is there risk of cross-contamination in Razz Apple Fun Dip?
Since regular Fun Dip flavors like Razz Apple are made without gluten-free oversight, there is a higher risk of gluten cross-contamination during production. Even if the ingredients themselves are gluten-free, shared equipment and facilities raise the chances for contact with gluten. Small amounts can find their way into the final products.
It’s unclear how stringently Bazaar & Novelty Candy Company isolates their gluten-free Fun Dip varieties from the regular ones during manufacturing. So the potential for cross-contamination may still exist, though likely minimal if they adhere to diligent protocols.
Contacting the manufacturer about Razz Apple Fun Dip
The best way to know if any traces of gluten could be found in Razz Apple Fun Dip is to reach out to the manufacturer, Bazaar & Novelty Candy Company. They can provide the most accurate and up-to-date information about their ingredients, facility procedures, and testing processes. Some recommended ways to contact them include:
- Call their customer service phone number at 1-888-974-2556 to inquire about Razz Apple Fun Dip and gluten.
- Email them at [email protected] with your gluten-related questions.
- Fill out a contact form on their website www.bazaarandnovelty.com asking if Razz Apple Fun Dip is gluten-free.
- Reach out to them via social media like Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.
The company should be able to verify if any wheat/gluten might be present in the Razz Apple powder or sticks. They can also provide reassurance around how they mitigate cross-contamination risks. This will give those with celiac disease or gluten intolerance a definitive answer on whether Razz Apple Fun Dip is truly gluten-free or not.
Key takeaways on Razz Apple Fun Dip without gluten
In summary, here are some key things to know about enjoying Razz Apple Fun Dip gluten-free:
- The manufacturer Bazaar & Novelty Candy Company does not claim regular Razz Apple Fun Dip is gluten-free or processed in a dedicated facility.
- Without gluten-free certification from the company, it’s safest for celiacs/gluten-sensitive to avoid Razz Apple Fun Dip.
- Bazaar & Novelty Candy Company does make some Fun Dip products labeled “gluten-free” like certain Squeeze Pop tubes and Dunk N Licks.
- Razz Apple likely has a higher risk of gluten cross-contamination compared toFun Dip items with gluten-free labeling.
- Contact the manufacturer for the most reliable information on any gluten in Razz Apple Fun Dip.
- Making homemade gluten-free Fun Dip or choosing alternative dipping candies are good options for those avoiding gluten.
The bottom line
While no two celiacs or gluten-sensitive individuals react the same, there is likely some risk associated with consuming Razz Apple Fun Dip given the lack of clarity around its gluten status from the manufacturer. Sticking to verified gluten-free versions of Fun Dip or similar products is the safest approach. However, contacting Bazaar & Novelty Candy Company directly to inquire about gluten in their Razz Apple variety could provide more definitive guidance as well. This will help anyone with gluten concerns make an informed decision on whether they feel comfortable trying this classic Fun Dip flavor.
