Quick Answer
The following Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups are gluten free:
- Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups (regular size)
- Reese’s Big Cup
- Reese’s Outrageous Bar
- Reese’s Sticks
- Reese’s Peanut Butter Lovers Cups
- Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup Minis
- Reese’s Pieces
- Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups with Reese’s Pieces
- Reese’s Take 5
- Reese’s Extreme Peanut Butter Cups
Reese’s states that all their products are free from gluten ingredients. However, they are produced in facilities that also process wheat, milk, soy, eggs, and tree nuts, so there is a risk of cross-contamination. Those with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity should exercise caution.
What is Gluten?
Gluten is a protein found in grains like wheat, barley, and rye. It acts as a glue to help foods maintain their shape and texture. For most people, gluten does not cause any issues. However, for those with celiac disease or non-celiac gluten sensitivity, consuming gluten triggers an autoimmune response that damages the small intestine. Even small amounts of gluten can cause symptoms like abdominal pain, bloating, diarrhea, vomiting, constipation, fatigue, skin rashes, depression, and joint pain. The only treatment is a strict lifelong gluten-free diet.
Why Gluten Matters in Chocolate
While chocolate itself does not contain gluten, many chocolate products have additional ingredients that may contain gluten. These include:
- Wheat flour – Used to replace cocoa butter and add texture.
- Malt – Made from barley and used as a flavoring.
- Cookie or wafer pieces – Cookies often contain wheat flour.
- Fillings with wheat ingredients – Like cookie dough or cream with wheat-based thickeners.
- Flavorings – Vanilla extract and natural flavors can contain gluten.
- Stabilizers and thickeners – Ingredients like wheat starch are used.
- Cross-contamination – Can occur during processing and packaging if equipment is shared.
For those who need to avoid gluten, it’s important to check the label of chocolate products carefully. Brand name, certifications, manufacturing practices, and testing procedures should also be considered.
Are Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups Gluten Free?
The Reese’s brand states that all of their peanut butter cups and other candies are free from gluten ingredients. This includes:
- Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups (regular size)
- Reese’s Big Cup
- Reese’s Outrageous Bar
- Reese’s Sticks
- Reese’s Peanut Butter Lovers Cups
- Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup Minis
- Reese’s Pieces
- Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups with Reese’s Pieces
- Reese’s Take 5
- Reese’s Extreme Peanut Butter Cups
According to Reese’s ingredient labels, their products do not contain any wheat, barley, rye or malt ingredients. They use sugar, peanuts, chocolate liquor, cocoa butter, milk fat, palm oil, lactose, soy lecithin, PGPR, and various flavorings.
Manufacturing Precautions
While Reese’s states their products are gluten-free, they do share manufacturing equipment, facilities, and suppliers with products that contain wheat, milk, soy, eggs, and tree nuts. So there is some risk of cross-contamination.
Reese’s does not claim to be a dedicated gluten-free facility. But they do state they follow good manufacturing practices and have allergen control procedures in place to minimize cross-contact.
Third Party Testing
Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups are regularly tested by third-party labs to verify they meet the FDA limit of less than 20 parts per million (ppm) for gluten. This level is considered gluten-free.
However, those with celiac disease are advised to consume less than 10 ppm of gluten daily. Studies show even amounts under 20 ppm can cause issues for some.
Certifications
Reese’s products are not certified gluten-free by organizations like the Gluten-Free Certification Organization (GFCO) or NSF Gluten-Free. Certified products undergo more rigorous testing and auditing to ensure less than 10 ppm of gluten.
Are Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups Celiac Safe?
For those with celiac disease, non-certified products that are produced in shared facilities pose a higher risk of gluten cross-contamination. Some celiacs report reacting to Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups even though they are labeled gluten-free.
The Celiac Disease Foundation does not recommend products made in shared facilities for celiacs due to the potential for trace amounts of gluten. They advise celiacs to choose certified gluten-free products when possible.
So while Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups are considered gluten-free by FDA standards, they may not be the safest choice for those with celiac disease due to the cross-contamination risk. Individual tolerance levels can vary. Those with celiac disease should use their best judgment.
Precautions for Celiacs
If someone with celiac disease chooses to consume Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, extra care should be taken:
- Check the label each time before eating to ensure no ingredients have changed.
- Look for lot numbers printed on the package and contact Reese’s with any concerns.
- Start by consuming a small amount to see if any symptoms occur.
- Choose mini or king size cups over larger packages to minimize cross-contact.
- Enjoy them separately from other foods, not mixed into recipes or ice cream that could lead to further contamination.
- Consider contacting Reese’s directly to ask about their allergen procedures and request lot-specific testing if extremely sensitive.
As with any food for celiacs, proceed with caution and stop eating immediately if any symptoms occur. Be sure to check with your healthcare provider about your individual level of risk.
Other Peanut Butter Cup Options
For those who need to strictly avoid any trace gluten, there are some peanut butter cup options made in dedicated gluten-free facilities:
Schar Gluten Free Peanut Butter Cups
- Certified gluten-free to less than 5 ppm by GFCO
- Made in a dedicated gluten-free and peanut/tree-nut free facility
- Individually wrapped mini cups
- Free from wheat, gluten, dairy, eggs, nuts
Enjoy Life Peanut Butter Cups
- Certified gluten-free, non-GMO, kosher, vegan
- Made in a dedicated allergen-free facility
- Available in mini and regular size cups
- Free from the top 14 allergens including wheat and gluten
Choceur Peanut Butter Cups
- Certified gluten-free to below 10 ppm
- Manufactured in a gluten-free facility
- Individually wrapped mini cups
- Free from wheat, gluten, dairy, lactose, nuts
For maximum safety, look for certified gluten-free brands made in dedicated facilities that undergo regular audits and thorough cleaning protocols. Companies like Enjoy Life, Schar, and Choceur specialize in allergy-friendly foods including gluten-free confections.
Is There Gluten in Peanut Butter?
Plain peanut butter is naturally gluten-free. Peanuts are not a grain and do not contain gluten. However, some peanut butters may have small amounts of added ingredients that could contain traces of gluten, such as:
- Maltodextrin
- Dextrin
- Flour or cereal products
- Stabilizers like wheat protein or wheat starch
- Flavorings
- Cookie pieces or other mix-ins
So check the label carefully and look for a peanut butter with minimal ingredients. Major brands of plain peanut butter like Skippy, Jif, Peter Pan, and Smucker’s are gluten-free to less than 20 ppm based on third-party testing.
Organic and natural brands like Santa Cruz, Maranatha, and Trader Joe’s also test below 20 ppm for gluten. Choosy Mom, Wild Friends, and Reese’s peanut butter are certified gluten-free for extra assurance.
Cross-Contamination Risks
As with Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, most peanut butter is made in facilities that process other allergens like wheat and tree nuts. Certified brands like Choosy Mom and Reese’s make their peanut butter in dedicated plants to avoid cross-contact.
So plain peanut butter is generally considered gluten-free, but those with celiac disease should still reference labels and contact brands for more details. Dedicated or certified facilities provide the most peace of mind for avoiding trace amounts of gluten.
Enjoying Reese’s Safely
While mainstream candy brands are catching up with testing and labeling, facilities shared with gluten and allergens still present a risk. For those managing celiac disease or needing to avoid trace amounts, choose certified gluten-free brands made in dedicated facilities whenever possible. Thoroughly check any packaging and call brands with any questions.
But for most people avoiding clear gluten ingredients, Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups can be enjoyed in moderation as a gluten-free treat based on current labeling. Those with celiac disease should exercise additional caution and consider trying certified options for maximum safety. With some care reading labels, even those with celiac disease can still enjoy the classic Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup.
Table Comparing Relevant Brands
Brand | Certification | Facility | Ingredients |
---|---|---|---|
Reese’s | Not certified GF | Shared equipment | No gluten ingredients |
Enjoy Life | Certified GF | Dedicated GF facility | No gluten ingredients |
Schar | Certified GF | Dedicated GF facility | No gluten ingredients |
Choceur | Certified GF | GF facility | No gluten ingredients |
This table summarizes key information about Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups in comparison to some certified gluten-free brands. It shows that while Reese’s does not contain gluten ingredients, it lacks third-party certification and is produced on shared lines. The certified options provide more assurance for those needing to avoid cross-contact.
Conclusion
Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups are considered gluten-free to FDA standards, containing no wheat, barley, rye or malt ingredients. However, the brand cautions about shared production facilities. Those managing celiac disease or gluten sensitivity should use judgment and consider certified gluten-free candy brands made in dedicated facilities to reduce the risk of trace gluten exposure. Carefully checking labels and contacting manufacturers provides the best guidance for individual dietary needs and restrictions. With some extra care, Reese’s fans without celiac disease can enjoy these classic candy treats in moderation as part of a gluten-free diet.