Everyone loves candy, but it can be hard to know what candies to choose if you’re shopping for someone with food allergies. Find out which candies are free of the most common allergens – peanuts, tree nuts, dairy, egg, wheat, soy, sesame, and more! There’s something for everyone to enjoy on this list.
There are so many occasions that revolve around food, and specifically desserts and candy in our society. Halloween, Easter, Christmas, Valentine’s Day, school celebrations, birthdays…if you’re celebrating, there’s probably some candy involved.
And that can be very frustrating if you’re living with food allergies! It’s not fun to be left out. And with so many allergens in many types of candy, it’s easy to feel like you just have to avoid candy altogether.
Thankfully, there are many brands that cater to those with food allergies by manufacturing their products in facilities that are free of the top allergens (peanuts, tree nuts, wheat, dairy, egg, soy, fish, shellfish, sesame). Some of these brands are easy to find (Enjoy Life, Yum Earth), but some are harder to find in stores.
There are also some brands that are mainstream, easy to find at a typical store, and still free of the top allergens! These are the kind of treats that your child’s teachers and grandparents would be able to find when they’re out shopping for groceries.
Let’s talk about all the sweet options that are out there for you to enjoy!
Please call the company or visit their website to find out for sure if the items below are safe for your family. Ingredients and procedures change, so it’s always best to double check before you consume any new products.
Another note: This list is for the products as packaged by the manufacturer. Sometimes candy is repackaged with other candies (for example, a Halloween bulk bag), and there may be cross contamination or other issues. Always read the label.
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🍬 Hard Candies
- Smarties – I am referring to the sugar Smarties that are available in the United States, not the Smarties in Canada or the UK, which are made of chocolate, and do contain some allergens.
- Smarties Candy Necklaces – All Smarties products are free from the top 9 allergens, please read their Allergen Statement for more details.
- Jolly Ranchers (These contain soy lecithin, but many people with soy allergies can safely consume soy lecithin. Read more about soy lecithin and allergies here).
- Life Savers – This brand was recently acquired by Mars, which may make some families pause. However, they are still saying they will label with a “May Contain” warning if an allergen is in the facility. Please call and ask questions to find out if you are comfortable with this brand.
- Torie and Howard Hard Candy
🍭 Lollipops
- Dum-Dums – (may contain trace amounts of soy oil, which can be safe for those with soy allergies. Read Spangler’s statement here)
- Yum Earth Lollipops – No artificial food dye in these. We like to use these to make stained glass window cookies.
- Jolly Rancher Lollipops – (contains soy lecithin)
- Ring Pops
- Life Savers Swirl Lollipops
🍬 Gummies and Chewy Candy
- Annie’s Gummies
- Surf Sweets Gummy Bears, Worms, and Rings – This is a good brand if you are avoiding food dye.
- Swedish Fish
- Yum Earth Gummies – (not the organic gummies, those are manufactured in a facility that contains sesame)
- Dots
- Fruit by the Foot
- Life Savers Gummies
🍫 Chocolate Candy
- Enjoy Life Chocolate
- PASCHA Chocolate
- No Whey Chocolate – This company makes chocolate bars, cups, and choco no no’s (like m&ms) that are free of the top 9 allergens. The choco no no’s are perfect for making monster cookies.
- Amanda’s Own Confections – This is a company based in Ohio that makes all kinds of chocolate treats for holidays and other occasions. The chocolate is free of the top 14 allergens.
- Free 2 B Sunbutter Cups
- Free 2 B Mint Cups
- Free 2 B Caramel Cups – We use these to make double chocolate caramel cookies.
- Yum Earth Choco Yums
🎄 Specialty Candy/Holiday Candy
- Spangler’s Candy Canes
- Jolly Rancher Candy Canes
- Yum Earth Candy Canes – These are only available seasonally.
- Yum Earth Jelly Beans
- Surf Sweets Jelly Beans
- Fluffy Stuff Cotton Candy
- Spangler Sweethearts
- Spangler Marshmallow Bunnies Chicks and Eggs
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Helen
Actually, Canadian smarties are peanut free! It’s certain size packages but we used to get some when my husband traveled because there was a box of fun size nestle products that are Kit Kats, aero bars, and smarties that are peanut free. They do contain milk of course but they work for us.
Kelly Roenicke
True, Canadian Smarties are nut free, although they do contain other allergens, like wheat, dairy, and soy. But I believe that the same product when made in the UK does contain a nut warning. We found this out at a specialty store when my son wanted to buy them, but upon looking at the label I discovered the nut warning. They are very tasty though and I’m glad they work for you!