Licorice vs Gummy Bears:
Which Is Gluten-Free?
Two candy-bowl staples. Traditional licorice contains wheat flour, while most gummy bears are gluten-free: always check the brand.
Only after one of them? Is Licorice Gluten-Free? or Are Gummy Bears Gluten-Free?
Both Licorice and Gummy Bears can be safe, but both depend on the brand or preparation — always check the label.
Verdicts last reviewed July 2026 · based on FDA gluten-free labeling rules and Celiac Disease Foundation guidance
Both Licorice and Gummy Bears can be safe, but both depend on the brand or preparation — always check the label.
Licorice
Most licorice candy contains wheat flour as a primary ingredient. Some brands like YumEarth make gluten-free licorice alternatives.
Watch out for:
- Wheat flour is a primary ingredient in most licorice
- Twizzlers and Red Vines contain wheat
- Licorice root extract is GF, but licorice candy is not
Gummy Bears
It depends. Gummy bears are made mostly from sugar, syrup and gelatin, but Haribo says its products may contain traces of gluten, and its US Goldbears label says "May contain: wheat". Buy bears labeled gluten-free.
Watch out for:
- A few specialty/imported gummies use wheat-based ingredients
- Novelty "gummy" products may add wheat components
- Shared manufacturing (no gluten ingredients in standard bears)
Gluten-free swaps
Instead of Licorice:
Instead of Gummy Bears:
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