As a vegetarian sweet treat, gummy worms are naturally gluten-free. However, some brands may contain gluten due to cross-contamination or added ingredients. When selecting gummy worms, it is important to read the label carefully to ensure they are certified gluten-free.
Quick Answers
Here are quick answers to common questions about gluten-free gummy worms:
- Most major gummy worm brands like Trolli, Haribo, and Albanese offer gluten-free varieties.
- Look for a “gluten-free” label to ensure the gummy worms contain no gluten.
- Avoid gummy worms with wheat, barley, rye, malt, or ambiguous ingredients like “natural flavors.”
- Gummy worms made in dedicated gluten-free facilities are safest for those with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity.
- Organic and vegan gummy worms tend to be gluten-free since they use tapioca syrup or fruit juices instead of wheat-based ingredients.
Ingredients in Gummy Worms
Gummy worms get their chewy texture from gelatin, which is made by boiling the bones and skins of pigs and cows. Gelatin itself does not contain gluten. However, some gummy worm brands add other ingredients that may contain gluten:
- Glucose syrup – May be derived from wheat and contain gluten. Look for brands that use corn syrup instead.
- Dextrin – Can be derived from wheat unless specified as corn dextrin.
- Natural flavors – May contain gluten from barley or other grains. Opt for gummy worms with no natural flavors.
- Colors – FD&C colors may be coated with wheat starch.
That’s why it’s important to read the label and look for a “gluten-free” certification on gummy worms, even though gelatin itself is gluten-free.
Major Gluten-Free Gummy Worm Brands
Here are some top gluten-free gummy worm brands:
Trolli
Trolli offers a few gluten-free gummy worm varieties:
- Sour Brite Crawlers
- Sour Gummi Worms
- Sour Brite Crawlers Minis
These are made in a dedicated gluten-free facility and tested to contain less than 10 ppm of gluten. Trolli states their gluten-free gummy worms may come into contact with milk, peanuts, soy, tree nuts, and wheat during manufacturing.
Haribo
Select Haribo gummy worms are gluten-free certified:
- Happy Cola
- Sour S’ghetti
- Gold Bears
- Twin Snakes
Haribo tests their gluten-free gummies to ensure they contain less than 10 ppm of gluten. Their products are made on shared equipment that processes milk, peanuts, soy, tree nuts, and wheat.
Albanese
All Albanese gummy worms are gluten-free and made in a dedicated gluten-free facility. Their gummy worms include:
- 12 Flavor Gummi Bears
- Sour Neon Worms
- Rainblooms
Albanese tests their gummies to verify they contain less than 10 ppm of gluten. Their facility also processes tree nuts and soy.
Surf Sweets
Surf Sweets Organic Fruity Bears are gluten-free, non-GMO gummy worms sweetened with fruit juice and colored with vegetable juices. They are certified gluten-free to less than 5 ppm.
Avoiding Cross-Contamination
For people with celiac disease or severe gluten sensitivity, cross-contamination is a concern when choosing gummy worms. Even though a product may be labeled “gluten-free,” made on shared equipment that processes wheat, it could pick up traces of gluten.
Opt for gummy worm brands that manufacture their gluten-free varieties in dedicated gluten-free facilities, like Albanese and Surf Sweets. Trolli and Haribo take steps to avoid cross-contamination but still use shared equipment.
Some other tips to avoid gluten cross-contamination:
- Verify the product is tested to contain less than 10 or 20 ppm of gluten.
- Contact the company to learn about their manufacturing procedures.
- Stick to brands that are certified by GFCO or another independent gluten-free certification organization.
- Check user reviews online to see if others have reported gluten reactions.
Making Homemade Gummy Worms
For a completely gluten-free option, you can make gummy worms at home. Here is a basic recipe:
Ingredients
- 1⁄4 cup cold water
- 1 tablespoon unflavored gelatin
- 1⁄2 cup light corn syrup
- 1⁄4 cup sugar
- Food coloring
- Candy molds or silicon gummy worm mold
Instructions
- In a small bowl, sprinkle the gelatin over the cold water. Let stand for 5 minutes to bloom.
- In a saucepan, combine the corn syrup and sugar. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring frequently.
- Remove from heat and stir in the bloomed gelatin until fully dissolved.
- Divide into separate bowls and add food coloring to each batch.
- Pour into candy molds or a silicone gummy worm mold.
- Refrigerate for 1-2 hours until set. Remove from molds.
With this simple recipe, you can customize your gummy worms and ensure they are gluten-free. Get creative with different colors, flavors like juice or extract, or unconventional molds.
Conclusion
When shopping for gummy worms, be sure to inspect the label for any gluten-containing ingredients. Look for a “gluten-free” certification for assurance the product contains less than 20 ppm of gluten. Major brands like Trolli, Haribo, and Albanese offer certified gluten-free gummy worms, while Surf Sweets are also free of GMOs and artificial colors. For maximum control over ingredients, homemade gummy worms are a tasty DIY option using just gelatin, corn syrup, sugar, and food coloring.
