Readers: This content is outdated. Please see my latest gluten-free Valentine's Day candy article, updated for this year, at Gluten-Free Valentine's Candy. Thanks! -- Jane
It seems like every candy manufacturer makes a special product for Valentine's Day — but is any of that Valentine's candy gluten-free? There's good news: lots of it is, including one brand of the cute little hearts with the sayings on them.
However, the bad news is that it will be tough for you to find a gift box of gluten-free candy — most of them contain unsafe individual candies, which cross-contaminates the entire box. To take a look at the scanty options for candy gift boxes, check out my article on gluten-free boxed candy. And, to read more about why some chocolates are gluten-free while others are not, see my article Is Chocolate Gluten-Free, or Does Chocolate Contain Gluten?
Here's my list, updated for Valentine's Day 2012, of gluten-free Valentine's candy, along with candy that's definitely not safe to eat on a gluten-free diet. If you wind up with other candies in your Valentine's stash, you can check their gluten status in my overall candy article, Gluten-Free Candy.
Gluten-free Valentine's candy:
• Sweethearts candy hearts from Necco (New England Confectionery Company)
• Hershey's Kisses, only in plain milk chocolate (not the flavored or striped ones)
• Jelly Belly jelly beans, all flavors
• Dove Heart Promises
• Smarties Valentine Hearts
• M&Ms Valentine Candies, all except for any pretzel-based varieties
• Tootsie Roll Valentine Candies
• Peeps Valentine marshmallow-based treats
• Pez Valentine's Day candies
• Tootsie Pops Valentine's lollipops
• Wonka Laffy Taffy, special Valentine's Day edition
• Charms Valentine Pops
Valentine's Day candy that's NOT considered gluten-free:
• Brach's Conversation Hearts
• York Peppermint Patty Hearts
• Sweetarts
• Jolly Rancher Valentine candy
• Wonka Nerds Valentine candy
