Are M&M's Gluten-Free and Safe for Celiacs?

Celiac.com 09/16/2020 (Updated 03/15/2021) - M&M's candies do not advertise or label their products as gluten-free. However, with a few exceptions, their candies are gluten-free and safe for people with celiac disease. This list is for the USA, and note that in Australia and other countries they may contain wheat starch and not be gluten-free.

In September, 2019, Nima Sensors tested twelve flavors of M&M's, including several flavors that indicated that they may contain wheat. Of the twelve M&M's flavors tested by Nima, only two flavors tested positive for gluten. Those were Pretzel M&M’s, which lists wheat flour as an ingredient, and Crispy M&M's, which had no ingredient warning but do contain barley malt, which isn't gluten-free.

The following ten other M&M's flavors tested negative for wheat or gluten, including several that warned that they "may contain wheat" (we recommend avoiding ones with this warning): 

• Milk Chocolate M&M’s
• Peanut M&M’s
• Peanut Butter M&M’s
• Mint Chocolate M&M’s
• White Chocolate M&M's
• Coffee Nut M&M's
• Carmel M&M's
• Thai Coconut Peanut M&M's
• Almond M&M's
• Hazelnut Spread M&M's

Celiac.com Sponsor (A12):
Several M&M's flavors regularly contain wheat ingredients. However, in the case of Crispy M&M's, the label contained no wheat ingredients, yet Nima detected gluten. That means it's good to be careful, and maybe stick to flavors that are known to be safe, and which have a good track record among celiacs.

In the USA these M&M's are gluten-free by ingredients, and celiacs have been eating them for years without issues (these don't have a "may contain wheat" warning):

• Milk Chocolate M&M’s
• Peanut M&M’s
• Peanut Butter M&M’s
• Almond M&M's

Nima published the results of their M&M's tests on their website.

Check the official M&M's website for more info.

Remember, ingredients and product formulations can change. Even though Mint Chocolate M&M’s, Coffee Nut M&M's, Carmel M&M's, and Thai Coconut Peanut M&M's tested negative for gluten, some of these flavors may contain wheat. Always read labels carefully. When in doubt, double-check manufacturer websites, or call manufacturers directly. Tp be safe, avoid varieties that have a "may contain wheat" warning.