Jolly Ranchers go beyond your typical hard candy, creating a unique taste unlike any similar sweets on the market. There is little reason to believe they’re risky for a gluten-free diet, but it’s always important to dig deeper before snacking.
Jolly Ranchers are not safe for a gluten-free diet. The hard candies and other variations under the brand have not undergone proper evaluation to quality as gluten-free under FDA standards, despite not having any gluten containing ingredients.
Keep reading as we explore the reason for this verdict before looking at all the varieties of Jolly Ranchers and how their types and flavors play into a gluten-free diet. We will also touch on how the candies interact with other gluten-free diets.
Jolly Ranchers Questionable Gluten-Free Status

Jolly Ranchers are one of those products that seem to rile up debate when it comes to a gluten-free diet, and there are people ready to argue both sides.
Hershey, the parent company for Jolly Ranchers products, is known for labeling and listing all of their gluten-free products well, but Jolly Ranchers do not fall on any of those lists. Hershey Land also specifically states that these candies have not been evaluated as gluten-free under FDA standards.
This may mean that they have not been tested or that there are concerns for cross contamination that would make testing pointless, but it definitely does not offer anyone peace of mind to use Jolly Ranchers to cure their sweet tooth.
Some claim that these candies have no gluten containing ingredients, and that they can eat them with no issues. We see this from those on both relaxed and strict diets, so there does not seem to be a correlation with sensitivity.
Others will fill the contents of any debate on the gluten-free status of Jolly Ranchers with powerful sentiments that these are not a safe candy for diets excluding gluten. Some state that if they eat too many it’s noticeable, while others claim even two can cause a major reaction.
With highly debated food such as this, it’s always best to err on the side of caution. If you decide to take the plunge and try it out, always plan for something to go wrong.
Jolly Ranchers Ingredients and Manufacturing

Looking at the basic ingredients list of ingredients for Jolly Ranchers does not ring any alarms. As you would expect, the candy does not include any wheat (a major source of gluten), and most of the ingredients revolve around:
- Corn syrup
- Sugar
- Malic acid
- Natural and artificial flavors
- Artificial Color Red 40
- Artificial Color Blue 1
- Artificial Color Yellow 5
- Artificial Color Yellow 6
Knowing Hershey’s history with disclosing possible gluten issues and highlighting which products are safe for a gluten-free diet, it’s logical to assume that there is a potential for cross-contamination in the manufacturing processes.
We may not know the specific issue, but understanding that these candies are not cleared for anyone with gluten sensitivity is important to maintaining a healthy diet.
Which Jolly Ranchers Forms and Flavors are Gluten-Free?

Jolly Ranchers have expanded beyond their flagship hard candies, and other candy varieties include:
- Lollipops
- Gummies
- Jelly beans
- Bubble gum
- Chews
- Bites
- Candy canes
Each of these types of candies have their own flavors that contain different ingredients, and the slight variations can throw in surprises for your diet.
Most of these types and flavors appear gluten-free, but there are a few exceptions.
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Jolly Ranchers Hard Candies

Jolly Ranchers hard candies are the most popular form, and they’re likely the reason you’re looking at this list. They contain no suspect ingredients.
The most popular and long-lasting flavors include:
- Pineapple
- Blue Raspberry
- Orange
- Grape
- Lemon
- Strawberry
- Green Apple
- Peach
- Cherry
- Watermelon
- Fruit ‘n Sour Blue Raspberry
- Fruit ‘n Sour Wild Strawberry
- Fruit ‘n Sour Watermelon
- Fruit ‘n Sour Green Apple
- Fruit ‘n Sour Cherry
- Cinnamon Fire
- Lime
- Golden Pineapple
- Mango
- Zero Sugar Watermelon
- Zero Sugar Grape
- Zero Sugar Apple
- Zero Sugar Raspberry
These flavors are always likely to change, especially with limited edition flavors and seasonal tastes, and formulas can change at any time.
Jolly Ranchers Lollipops

The lollipops approach the hard candies with more versatility, but they ingredients remain the same for flavors such as:
- Watermelon
- Green Apple
- Cherry
- Pink Lemonade
Jolly Ranchers Gummies

Gummies are not always gluten-free, but the ones made by Jolly Ranchers do not appear to contain any gluten ingredients. This includes flavors such as:
- Grape
- Sour Cherry
- Blackberry
- Cherry
- Sour Green Apple
- Strawberry
- Sour Lemon
- Wild Berry
- Black Cherry
- Blue Raspberry
- Wild Berry
- Sour Blue Raspberry
- Watermelon
- Green Apple
- Sour Watermelon
- Wild Strawberry
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Jolly Ranchers Jelly Beans

The Jolly Ranchers jelly beans also do not seem to have any gluten-containing ingredients, but they aren’t cleared by the FDA as gluten-free.
These includes the Jelly Hearts they put out around Valentine’s Day and flavors such as:
- Orange
- Blue Raspberry
- Watermelon
- Grape
- Green Apple
- Cherry
- Strawberry
Jolly Ranchers Bubble Gum

Jolly Ranchers bubble gum does not contain any suspect ingredients, but anyone with a soy sensitivity needs to pay attention here. While the other candies shouldn’t be an issue, the bubble gum contains soy and warns of this content.
Jolly Ranchers Chews

While the chews are the complete opposite of the hard candies that built the brand, they stick to ingredients that do not naturally contain gluten. This observation remains the same for flavors such as:
- Watermelon
- Strawberry
- Cherry
- Green Apple
- Blue Raspberry
Jolly Ranchers Bites

Jolly Ranchers Bites are comparable to their chews, and they come in flavors such as:
- Watermelon
- Green Apple
- Cherry
While those ingredients lists do not seem to contain any gluten-hosting ingredients, understand that the flavors Cherry-orange and Watermelon Green Apple do. These specific flavors contain enriched wheat flour, an obvious source of gluten.
Jolly Ranchers Candy Canes

These fruity candy canes are a nice treat for younger children who aren’t fans of the strong mint of traditional candy canes. There are no obvious sources of gluten in any flavors, including:
- Green Apple
- Blue Raspberry
- Cherry
Jolly Ranchers and Other Diets

Jolly Ranchers work fine for a dairy-free diet, but the Hershey Land website explicitly states that they are not safe for a vegan diet.
This depends on how strict your diet is. Some formulas contain gelatin or dairy milk. Artificial dyes such as Red 40 are also tested on animals, so anyone wishing to avoid that connection should be aware of it.
Final Thoughts

While Jolly Ranchers appear to be friendly for a gluten-free diet, it’s best to avoid them. Hershey usually works hard to clear any products that are gluten-free, and if they voice concerns about a product then you know there is a potential problem.
As always, pay attention to specific ingredient lists and consider the implications of consumption before making any major decisions. A little gluten can go a long way, and a little candy may not be worth all the trouble.