Chocolate is naturally gluten free. That’s the short answer. The problem is that we seldom eat chocolate that is not mixed with something else. For example, if we are trying to decide whether a chocolate chip cookie is ‘safe’, we are concerned about the flour and other ingredients used in making the cookie. I am not aware of any candy bars that are 100% chocolate. Please let me know if you find a bar that has no ingredients other than chocolate.
I could find no website that spells things out that simply. You’ll notice that there are no links in this post. But I can offer you this evidence:
♦ Neither The Gluten Free Pantry nor The Gluten Free Mall sells gluten free chocolate chips.
♦ Enjoy Life Foods markets chocolate chips labeled ‘gluten free’. However, keep in mind that they operate a gluten free facility and their products are free of all the officially-recognized allergens. I suspect that adding the ‘gluten free’ label was an afterthought.
♦ Chocolate is not listed on either the ‘safe’ or ‘unsafe’ foods list published by Celiac dot com.
♦ The Celiac Sprue Association lists chocolate as questionable because of possible additives. They OK the use of chocolate chips.
♦ I looked at dozens of recipes for chocolate chip cookies. Most of them remind us to use gluten free flour but said nothing about the said nothing about the chocolate chips. Let me know if you find any exception to that ‘rule’.
I read somewhere that Ghiaidelli Chocolate Chips that are 60%Cacao (Bittersweet) are gluten free. Even though it doesn’t use the wording, under the ingredients it says:”Made on the same equipment that also makes products containing milk. Made in a facility that uses peanuts and tree nuts.”
You need to watch out for “malted” chocolate too.
Toll House labels their chocolate chips as gluten free
From the Lindt web Site FAQ:
Is there gluten or barley malt in Lindt chocolate?
Gluten can be found in many of the premium chocolate products Lindt produces. Our white and extra dark (70% cocoa and above) chocolate products by nature do not contain barley malt. We have an allergen control program in place and adhere to strict Good Manufacturing Practices in order to reduce the risk of cross contamination. Lindt is aware of the growing prevalence of Celiac’s Disease and other conditions. It is always important to review the ingredient declaration to make sure our products are compliant with your specific diet requirements and restrictions.
Hello!
I just started a new business that makes 100% organic and gluten free chocolate treats. If you visit my website I will send you a free sample and you can taste delicious treats for yourself!!
Feel free to contact me if you have any questions.
Thanks,
Sean
I recommend that everyone look at individual company’s websites because you just can’t be certain if the chocolate has been made on the same machinery that is used to make products containing gluten. Fortunately, most company’s are making it easier to tell if their chocolate contains gluten.
I haven’t really found any bars that contain only chocolate other than those dark chocolate bars I find in Whole Foods that you use for baking and such. However, I do know that Sulpice Chocolat’s bars are all gluten-free even though they contain natural flavorings like cayenne, chai, and mint to name a few. Their dark chocolates are also vegan.
Cadburys make a lot of their chocolate bars gluten free now (Roses for one). If you go to their website it lists which products are gluten free.
I am co-owner of a ‘gluten-free’ chocolate store in Lake Oswego, OR. Our chocolates are free of preservatives with natural ingredients.
We also have a complete line of baking chocolates, including chocolate chips and couveture bars which are gluten free. Our chocolates contain no paraffin and will actually ‘melt in your mouth!’ Please contact us,if you have any questions via our website.
Barbara
I have a gluten free recipe I found on the internet w/no flour at all.
1c. skippy peanut butter
1 c. sugar
1 egg
1 egg white
1/2 c. chocolate chips
bake 350 for 15 min. they will harden when they cool off.
Guittard chocolate (with a few exceptions they list) are gluten free. The problem is finding a retail source for their baking chocolates that does not repackage (as does King Arthur Flour) Guittard’S product on packing lines that are dedicated to GF products. I have written to KA about the issue – others need to email tem to request that they rrpackage using GF lines. I can buy Guittard chocolate chips that are marked GF at my local Whole Foods.
Susan on CT