Mars bars

[Twizz]

Are mars bars gluten free?  My mum who us Coeliac loves these and used to eat them. But not sure if still gluten free

[apprehensiveengineer]

Depends on the country.

AUS - contains barley (Open Original Shared Link)

USA - Snickers are devoid of gluten ingredients (Open Original Shared Link), Mars bars are imported from Europe

Mars (the company) says that it will label allergens clearly if they are in the product, and provide precautionary statements if there is a risk of CC  (Open Original Shared Link). They don't say this explicitly, but I know from some of their other products (eg. Uncle Ben's rice) that they do label stuff gluten-free (presumably only when they are very sure).

Mars' website(s) are horrendous, and I couldn't find ingredient lists for any other country or region. However, based on their allergen policy, it might be fine to assume that the bars are safe as long as the ingredients list is ok and there are no warnings. Personally, I would want to see them say it's gluten-free either on their website or on the package, but I am quite sensitive.

 

 

[Derek Thompson]

In Europe Mars Bars are not Gluten Free. The easy way to tell is to read the ingredient list as, under European law, any of the 14 main Allergens must be highlighted if found in the product and that includes Cereals containing Gluten. In this case we are talking about Barley Malt. 

[apprehensiveengineer]

Got bored waiting at the grocery checkout and remembered to check the packaging. In Canada Mars Bars appear to not be gluten-free, as they contain barley malt.

It is indeed clearly labelled on the packaging/allergen warning.  

[Derek Thompson]

If anyone needs further proof I have an email from Mars Chocolate UK confirming their Mars Bars are not Gluten Free.