Is Smuckers Caramel Gluten-Free?

Celiac.com 09/14/2024 - Is Smucker's caramel gluten free and safe for people with celiac disease? It depends. Here's the rundown.

We get a lot of questions about which products and brands are gluten-free. We especially get a lot of questions about ice cream toppings and condiments. In this case, Smucker's caramel sauce. 

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Specifically, is Smucker's caramel gluten free and safe for people with celiac disease? The answer is that it depends. Smucker's makes several kinds of caramel sauces and toppings. One product definitely contains gluten, others are made without gluten ingredients. 

Smucker's Caramel Flavored Spoonable Topping

Smucker's Caramel Flavored Spoonable Topping is made with barley malt, and is NOT gluten-free. According to the company website, the only allergens listed on the Smucker's label are milk and soybean, however, since barley is not one of the top 8 allergens it does not need to be declared. Barley is noted in the ingredients. This product comes in a glass jar.

Smucker's Caramel Flavored Spoonable Topping Ingredients include:

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Corn Syrup, High Fructose Corn Syrup, Nonfat Milk, Contains 2% Or Less Of: Modified Corn Starch, Salt, Sugar, Natural Flavors (with Barley), Sodium Alginate, Caramel Color, Sodium Phosphate, Sodium Citrate, Cream Solids (from Milk), Vanillin (artificial Flavor), Soy Lecithin, Yellow 6, Red 40.

Smucker's Caramel Sundae Syrup

However, Smucker's Caramel Sundae Syrup contains NO barley malt, nor any other gluten ingredients, and is naturally gluten-free. Even though Smucker's Sundae Syrup is not specifically produced in a gluten-free facility, or labeled gluten-free, according to the company website, the only allergen is dairy. This product comes in a plastic flip-top bottle.

Smucker's Caramel Sundae Syrup ingredients include:

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Corn Syrup, High Fructose Corn Syrup, Nonfat Milk, Fructose, Modified Corn Starch, Contains 2% Or Less Of: Salt, Natural Flavor, Potassium Sorbate (preservative), Polysorbate 60, Sodium Citrate, Sodium Phosphate, Caramel Color, Vanillin (artificial Flavor), Yellow 6, Red 40.

Smucker's Microwaveable Hot Caramel Topping

Smucker's Microwaveable Hot Caramel Topping also appears to be made with no gluten ingredients, per the website:

Smucker's Microwaveable Hot Caramel Topping ingredients include:

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Corn Syrup, Sugar, Nonfat Milk, Soybean Oil, Fully Hydrogenated Cottonseed Oil, Contains 2% Or Less Of: Modified Corn Starch, Molasses, Potassium Sorbate (Preservative), Salt, Mono And Diglicerides, Sodium Phosphate, Sodium Citrate, Xanthan Gum, Cream Solids (From Milk), Natural Flavors, Soy Lecithin.

Smucker's Magic Shell Caramel Flavored Topping 

Smucker’s Magic Shell Caramel Flavored Topping is a product that hardens when drizzled over ice cream, making a hard shell. It is made without gluten ingredients and comes in a plastic bottle.

Smucker’s Magic Shell Caramel Flavored Topping ingredients include:

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Sugar, Sunflower Oil, Coconut Oil, Milk, Nonfat Milk, Contains 2% Or Less Of: Whey Powder (From Milk), Salt, Cocoa, Natural And Artificial Flavor, Yellow 6 Lake, Yellow 5 Lake, Soy Lecithin, Blue 2 Lake.

Smucker’s Simple Delight Salted Caramel

Smucker’s Simple Delight Salted Caramel is made without gluten ingredients and comes in a small glass jar.

Smucker’s Simple Delight Salted Caramel ingredients include:

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Corn Syrup, Sugar, Nonfat Milk, Butter (Cream [From Milk], Salt), Molasses, Sodium Citrate, Vanilla Extract, Sea Salt.

The Takeaway on Smucker’s Caramel Sauces and Toppings

Smucker’s makes a number of caramel toppings for ice cream that are made without gluten ingredients, and likely safe for people with celiac disease. But they also make at least one that contains barley malt and is unsafe.

It's really important to read labels and check website information carefully, because similar products can easily confuse people looking to buy gluten-free caramel toppings. It's an easy mistake to make, so check labels carefully.