Are Ring Pops Gluten Free? (Yes, Here’s Why)


Are Ring Pops Gluten Free

If you’re looking for some 90’s nostalgia, you may consider reaching for an iconic ring pop. Ring pops have dominated the candy realm since the ’90s, and are still commonly seen commercially today. These individually wrapped jewelry candies are easy to keep on hand for a tart and fruity snack.

All Ring Pop flavors are gluten-free and completely safe for those with celiac disease and gluten intolerances. Ring Pops mainly contain sugar, corn syrup, artificial flavors and coloring. None of these ingredients contain wheat, barley, or gluten. Other gluten-free alternatives to Ring Pops include YumEarth Organic Lollipops, GoOrganic Organic Hard Candies, and Zollipops Original Assorted.

With ring pops being all-accessible, let’s take a closer look at ring-pops and their ingredients. In the end, you’ll understand what makes ring pops entirely gluten-free and know what to look for when shopping for gluten-free alternatives.

What is in Ring Pops?

Manufactured by a company called Topps, ring pops are a sibling brand to other popular candies like Bazooka Bubble Gum, Push Pop, Baby Bottle Pop, and Juicy Drop. Surprisingly, all of these candies are gluten-free.

Because Ring Pops are made by a single company, similar ingredients are apparent across flavors. The main ingredients in the original ring pop candies are:

  • Sugar
  • Corn Syrup
  • 2% or Less of Lactic Acid
  • Sodium Lactate
  • Natural and Artificial Flavors
  • Coloring and Dyes

These ingredients vary often based on the specific flavor and color of the ring pop, but generally, a ring pop will include all of these. None of these ingredients contain any wheat or barley, making them safe for vegan consumption.

This means that ring pops are entirely gluten-free, which makes them preferable options to other candies like M&Ms, Milky Ways, and Mars Bars. It also makes them a more accessible type of candy, as it won’t cause problems for people with celiacs and gluten intolerances.

Are all Flavors of Ring Pops Gluten-Free?

While the ingredients don’t contain any wheat or barley, it can be hard to tell with the presence of certain sugar powders. Luckily, none of the additives that ring pops contain have the possibility of gluten! Coloring and dyes only have the possibility of animal products, which don’t contain any glutenous proteins.

  • When looking for glutenous products in candies, make sure to look at any of the products that contain pretzels, wafers, and cookie pieces. All of these contain a high amount of wheat flour, which will make them surpass the 20 ppm or “gluten-free” limit.
  • While this isn’t the case for ring pops, many candies have a possibility of cross-contamination within their factories. This can make candy unsafe for people with celiac disease and is a good reason that you should look for how well the candy company guards its gluten-free products.

A really good indicator of whether a candy contains gluten is the warnings on the packages. Common allergens are often listed under a “This Contains” label. Multiple laws have been passed requiring brands to list common allergens under this label, meaning that gluten content can be found easily due to the presence of wheat and barely.

Ring Pops Hard Candy Nutrition Facts

Ring Pop Cherry Flavored Candy

Nutrition Facts (Per 1 Piece):

  • 60 Calories
  • 0g Calories from Fat
  • 0g Total Fat
  • 35mg Sodium
  • 14g Total Carbohydrates
  • 7g Total Sugars
  • 7g Added Sugars
  • 0g Protein

Ingredients:

  • Sugar
  • Corn Syrup
  • Lactic Acid
  • Sodium Lactate
  • Natural and Artificial Flavors
  • Red 3
  • Blue 1

Ring Pop Strawberry Flavored Candy

Nutrition Facts (Per 1 Piece):

  • 45 Calories
  • 0 Calories from Fat
  • 0g Total Fat
  • 0g Trans Fat
  • 10mg Sodium
  • 10g Total Carbohydrates
  • 8g Sugars
  • 8g Added Sugars
  • 0g Protein

Ingredients:

  • Sugar
  • Corn Syrup
  • Buffered Lactic Acid
  • Natural and Artificial Flavors
  • Red 40

Ring Pop Twisted Blue Raspberry Watermelon

Nutrition Facts (Per 1 Piece):

  • 60 Calories
  • 0 Calories from Fat
  • 0g Total Fat
  • 0g Trans Fat
  • 55mg Sodium
  • 14g Total Carbohydrates
  • 11g Sugars
  • 0g Protein

Ingredients:

  • Sugar
  • Corn Syrup
  • Buffered Lactic Acid
  • Natural and Artificial Flavors
  • Pear Juice Concentrate
  • Titanium Dioxide
  • Yellow 5 Lake
  • Red 40 Lake
  • Red 3

Ring Pop Twisted Berry Blast

Nutrition Facts (Per 1 Piece):

  • 60 Calories
  • 0g Total Fat
  • 0g Trans Fat
  • 55mg Sodium
  • 14g Total Carbohydrates
  • 11g Sugars
  • 7g Added Sugars
  • 0g Protein

Ingredients:

  • Sugar Corn Syrup
  • Lactic Acid
  • Sodium Lactate
  • Natural and Artificial Flavors
  • Red 3
  • Blue 1

Ring Pop Gummy Candies Nutrition Facts

Ring Pop Gummy Rings

Nutrition Facts (Per 4 pieces):

  • 110 Calories
  • 0g Total Fat
  • 5mg Sodium
  • 25g Total Carbohydrates
  • 15g Total Sugars
  • 15g Added Sugars
  • 2g Protein

Ingredients:

  • Glucose Syrup
  • Sugar
  • Water
  • Gelatin
  • Sorbitol
  • Citric Acid
  • Malic Acid
  • Artificial Flavor
  • Pectin
  • Palm Oil
  • Carnauba Wax
  • Red 40
  • Yellow 5
  • Blue 1

RingPop Gummy Gems

Nutrition Facts (Per 30g):

  • 100 Calories
  • 0g Total Fat
  • 0mg Sodium
  • 22g Total Carbohydrates
  • 3g Protein

Ingredients:

  • Glucose Syrup
  • Sugar
  • Water
  • Gelatin
  • Citric Acid
  • Sorbitol
  • Natural and Artificial Flavors
  • Malic Acid
  • Glycerin
  • Coconut Oil
  • Pectin
  • Sodium Citrate
  • Carnauba Wax
  • Titanium Dioxide
  • Yellow 5
  • Red 40
  • Blue 1
  • Yellow 6

Healthier Alternatives to Ring Pop Candies

While Ring Pop candies are completely safe for gluten-free consumption, they aren’t the healthiest option available. There are many other gluten-free alternatives with less added sugar, fewer calories, and with fewer artificial and natural flavorings.

Many of these alternatives may not carry the iconic shape of ring pops but are packed with the same addictive flavors. All of these can also fit into pumpkins or stockings for holidays and other family fun. There are multiple other ways to make ring pops at home as well, which would be a fun family activity.

YumEarth Organic Pops

YumEarth Organic Lollipops, Variety Pack, 50 lollipops - 10.9 oz (pack of 1) - Allergy Friendly, Non GMO, Gluten Free, Vegan (Packaging May Vary) YumEarths organic pops are made of vegetable and fruit concentrate that gives them their bright color and sweet taste. These lollipops are kosher, gluten-free, USDA organic, and vegan. Organic and allergen-friendly, these pops are a healthier alternative. The flavorings include strawberry, pomegranate, peach, cherry, grape, mango, watermelon, and razzmatazz berry.

Nutrition Facts (Per 2 Pops):

  • 45 Calories
  • 0g Total Fat
  • 0g Saturated Fat
  • 0g Trans Fat
  • 0mg Cholesterol
  • 0mg Sodium
  • 11g Total Carbohydrates
  • 0g Dietary Fiber
  • 8g Total Sugars
  • 8g Added Sugars
  • 0g Protein

Ingredients:

  • Organic Cane Sugar
  • Organic Brown Rice Syrup
  • Citric Acid
  • Ascorbic Acid
  • Natural Flavors
  • Organic Concentrates
  • Turmeric

GoOrganic Organic Hard Candies

GoOrganic Organic Hard Candies, Honey, 3.5 Ounce Bag (Pack of 6) Hillside candy has offered amazing alternatives to candy with clean label products and organic sugar alternatives. This candy is free of GMOs, gluten, soy, casein, nut, animal products, the top 10 allergens, and artificial flavors and colors. Made with all organic ingredients, this is a perfect way to enjoy the goodness of hard candy without the extra additives.

Nutrition Facts (Per 4 Pieces):

  • 60 Calories
  • 0g Total Fat
  • 0g Saturated Fat
  • 0g Trans Fat
  • 0mg Cholesterol
  • 0mg Sodium
  • 16g Total Carbohydrates
  • 0g Dietary Fiber
  • 10g Total Sugars
  • 10g Added Sugars
  • 0g Protein

Ingredients:

  • Organic Cane Sugar
  • Organic Brown Rice Syrup
  • Citric Acid
  • Organic Flavoring

Zollipops Original Assorted

Zollipops Clean Teeth Lollipops AntiCavity Sugar Free Candy with Xylitol for a Healthy Smile Great for Kids Diabetics and Keto Diet oz Bag, Natural Fruit Variety, 3.1 Ounce Zollipops is an innovative brand of candy that puts extra work into making sure its ingredients are accessible. These lollipops are sugar-free, gluten-free, non-GMO, vegan, dairy-free, and only contain natural flavors and coloring. Regular candies may contain a lot of citric acids, which will wear down tooth enamel over time. These lollipops come in strawberry, orange, grape, raspberry, original, cherry, peach, green apple, caramel & green apple,  tropical assorted, and many more flavors.

Nutrition Facts (Per 3 Lollipops):

  • 30 Calories
  • 0g Total Fat
  • 0g Saturated Fat
  • 0g Trans Fat
  • 0mg Cholesterol
  • 0mg Sodium
  • 15g Total Carbohydrates
  • 0g Dietary Fiber
  • 0g Total Sugars
  • 0g Added Sugars
  • 15g Sugar Alcohol
  • 0g Protein

Ingredients:

  • Isomalt Syrup
  • Erythritol
  • Citric Acid
  • Natural Flavors
  • Beetroot Juices
  • Stevia
  • Turmeric
  • Grape Extract
  • Annatto Extract

Surf Sweets Sour Worms

Surf Sweets Sour Worms, 2.75-Ounce Bags (Pack of 12) SurfSweets sour worms make a great healthy alternative to ring pop gummies, delivering 100% of their vitamin c intake with real fruit juices and natural coloring and flavors. Despite being candy, these are Non-GMO, gluten-free, vegan, soy-free, and casein-free. These come in cherry, grapefruit, grape, lemon, orange, and strawberry flavors.

Nutrition Facts (Per 8 Pieces):

  • 130 Calories
  • 0g Total Fat
  • 0g Saturated Fat
  • 0g Trans Fat
  • 0mg Cholesterol
  • 120mg Sodium
  • 32g Total Carbohydrates
  • 1g Dietary Fiber
  • 23g Sugar
  • 0g Protein

Ingredients:

  • Organic Cane Sugar
  • Organic Tapioca Syrup
  • Citric Acid
  • Pectin
  • Organic Grape Juice Concentrate
  • Sodium Citrate
  • Ascorbic Acid
  • Organic Black Carrot Juice Concentrate
  • Organic Turmeric
  • Organic Annatto
  • Natural Flavors

Final Thoughts

Ring pops are completely safe for those with celiacs and gluten intolerances, but there are healthier alternatives. In order to make sure that your candy is safe for people who can’t eat gluten, make sure to check the allergens on the candy that you buy. Doing so can make all of the difference for the safety of your family and friends.

Related Questions

Are Ring Pops Vegan?

Not all Ring Pops products are vegan. This is because of the presence of gelatin and other animal-based products in gummy versions of the ring pops, as well as potential milk products that result from cross-contamination.

Is Ring Pop Discontinued?

While Ring Pop as a brand is not being discontinued, multiple flavors of hard candy Ring Pops are. These flavors include Star Gazer Grape and the Cotton Candy/Bubble Gum mix.

How Long Do Ring Pops Stay Good For?

Ring Pops remain good for up to 12 months at a normal room temperature. It may be much more beneficial for lollipops to stay in the freezer, in order to elongate their shelf life. This also works if you live in a particularly hot and humid environment.

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Isabella LoCicero

Isabella is a food blogger and writer of about two years. Her experience around food was greatly influenced by the family around her, and eventually, she wanted to start debunking popular diet myths to improve the lives of the people around her. When she's not writing, Isabella is often hanging out with her adorable akita, Kuma.

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