Are Swedish Fish Gluten Free? (Find Out Now!)


Are Swedish Fish Gluten Free

Swedish Fish have a specific flavor and texture that makes them a stand-out among gummies. Sweet and firm, these gummies are a great snack to keep around for afternoon treats or movie candy.

All flavors of Swedish Fish gummy candy contain zero gluten ingredients, but they are not labeled gluten-free. Swedish Fish are made mostly of sugar, corn syrup, artificial and natural flavors and colors. The best gluten-free and healthier alternatives are Smart Sweets Sweet Fish, Kiss My Keto Fish Friends, and Candy People Sugar-Free Swedish Gummy Candy.

Today we’ll explore the difference between certified and un-certified gluten-free foods, investigate the ingredients in Swedish Fish and discover some healthy alternatives to the delicious gummy treat. Let’s dig in!

Why should food be certified gluten-free?

Food doesn’t have to carry a certification to be gluten-free. There are just as many naturally gluten-free foods that aren’t labeled as such as there are ones that carry the certification. A product that has a gluten-free certification is guaranteed to be free from gluten proteins and is tested to ensure the product meets standards. Products that aren’t certified gluten-free could contain small amounts of gluten or have been cross-contaminated during processing.

What is the history of Swedish Fish?

The gummy treats were made by a Swedish candy producer in the 1950’s and were specifically aimed at U.S. consumers. They are shaped like fish as a tribute to the importance of fish – the animal – in the Swedish diet.

These days, Swedish Fish are made in Sweden and in Canada and are owned by the Cadbury Adams Company. They come in several different flavors, including the original flavor and Tropical – as well as two different sizes: original and mini. They have the word “Swedish” branded on the side of each gummy fish and there is a “Black Herring” variety that you can try. That flavor combines black licorice with salt and is available mostly in Sweden.

Are Swedish Fish Healthy?

High in Sugar and modified and heavily processed ingredients, these gummy treats stick to your teeth and can contribute to cavities and gum disease. Swedish Fish can contribute to your risk of developing diabetes. They also contain Red 40, which has been shown to contribute to hyperactivity in children.

What is Carnauba Wax?

Carnauba wax is used to protect candy from melting and to create the shiny outer shell of many candies. Its main job is to provide stability. Carnauba wax comes from palm trees found only in Brazil. While it is found in only one place on earth, it comes from a renewable resource making carnauba wax fall under the labels of vegan and eco-friendly.

Are Swedish Fish high in sugar?

Swedish Fish have a notoriously high amount of sugar, especially for the number of calories they provide. The first three ingredients in Swedish Fish are forms of sugar, and they stick to your teeth and gums, contributing to cavities.

Swedish Fish Nutritional Information

Swedish Fish Original Flavor

Ingredients:

  • Sugar
  • Invert Sugar
  • Corn Syrup
  • Modified Corn Starch
  • Citric Acid
  • White Mineral Oil
  • Natural and Artificial Flavor
  • Red 40
  • Carnauba wax

Nutrition Facts (per 30 g. serving):

  • Calories – 110
  • Total Carbohydrates – 27 g
  • Total Fat – 0 g / 0%
  • Sodium – 25 mg / 1%
  • Sugars – 23 g
  • Protein – 0 g

Swedish Fish Mini Tropical Flavor

Ingredients:

  • Sugar
  • Invert Sugar
  • Corn Syrup
  • Modified Corn Starch
  • Citric Acid
  • White Mineral Oil
  • Natural and Artificial Flavor
  • Titanium Dioxide
  • Carnauba Wax
  • Colors

Nutrition Facts (per 30 g. serving):

  • Calories – 110
  • Total Carbohydrates – 27 g
  • Total Fat – 0 g / 12%
  • Sodium – 25 mg / 1%
  • Sugars – 23 g
  • Protein – 0 g

Healthy Gluten-Free Fish Gummy Alternatives

Smart Sweets Sweet Fish

SMART SWEETS Gummy Sweet Fish, 5.3 OZ These sweet gummies are certified gluten-free, non-GMO and are free from sugar alcohol.

Ingredients:

  • Non-GMO Soluble Corn Fiber
  • Allulose
  • Isomalto-Oligosacchrides
  • Modified Potato Starch
  • Natural Berry Flavor
  • Citric Acid
  • Malic Acid
  • Fruit and Vegetable Juice For Color
  • Coconut Oil
  • Carnauba Wax
  • Monk Fruit Extract

Nutrition Facts (per 50 g. serving):

  • Calories – 100
  • Total Carbohydrates – 42 g
  • Total Fat – 0 g / 0%
  • Sodium – 70 mg / 3%
  • Dietary Fiber – 13 g / 46%
  • Sugars – 3 g
  • Protein – 0 g

Kiss My Keto Fish Friends

Kiss My Keto Candy Fish Friends — Low Sugar (1g), 80 Calories, Low Carb Candy Gummies with MCT Oil | Vegan Friendly, Non-GMO, Gluten Free Keto Sweets | 2g Net Carbs — 6 Individually Wrapped Packs These gummies contain no gluten ingredients and are low in sugar for a sweet snack that’s still shaped like a fish.

Ingredients:

  • Non-GMO Soluble Corn Fiber
  • Soluble Tapioca Fiber
  • Erythritol
  • Glycerin
  • Pectin
  • Citric Acid
  • Sodium Nitrate, Agar-Agar
  • Natural Berry Flavors (Blueberry, Raspberry)
  • Coconut Oil
  • Purple Carrot Juice Concentrate
  • Medium Chain Triglycerides (Palm, Palm Kernel Oil)
  • Stevia Leaf Extract
  • Carnauba Wax

Nutrition Facts (per 50 g. serving):

  • Calories – 80
  • Total Carbohydrates – 37 g
  • Total Fat – 0 g / 0%
  • Sodium – 70 mg / 3%
  • Dietary Fiber – 31 g / 48%
  • Sugars – < 1 g
  • Protein – 0 g

Wholesome Organic Assorted Mini DelishFish

Wholesome! Organic Assorted Mini DelishFish 6 oz (6 pack), 6 Count (Pack of 6), (Packaging May Vary) These sweet mini gummies are certified gluten-free and are meant to be eaten by the handful. They come in a variety of colors in easy-to-grab packets.

Ingredients:

  • Cane Sugar
  • Tapioca Syrup
  • Apple Juice
  • Agave Powder
  • Native Starch Blend (Tapioca Starch, Corn Starch)
  • Tapioca Dextrose
  • Citric Acid
  • Natural Flavors
  • Colored with Vegetable Extracts
  • Sodium Citrate
  • Sunflower Oil
  • Carnauba Wax

Nutrition Facts (per 40 g. serving):

  • Calories – 145
  • Total Carbohydrates – 36 g
  • Total Fat – 0 g / 0%
  • Sodium – 30 mg / 1%
  • Dietary Fiber – 0 g / 0%
  • Sugars – 28 g
  • Protein – 0 g

Candy People Sugar-Free Swedish Gummy Candy

Candy People Sugar-Free Swedish Gummy Candy – Gluten-Free, Fat-Free Gummies – Cola Bottles, Marshmallow Pigs, Exotic Fruit, Fish These gluten-free and fat-free gummies are shaped like fish and taste great, without a lot of preservatives and artificial coloring.

Ingredients:

  • Maltitol
  • Corn Starch
  • Lactic Acid
  • Malic Acid
  • Citric Acid
  • Artificial Flavors
  • Grape Skin Extract
  • Carmine

Nutrition Facts (per 30 g. serving):

  • Calories – 114
  • Total Carbohydrates – 28 g
  • Total Fat – 0 g / 0%
  • Sodium – 0 mg / 0%
  • Dietary Fiber – 0 g / 0%
  • Sugars – 0 g
  • Protein – 0 g

Trader Joe’s Scandinavian Swimmers Fish Gummies

Trader Joe's Scandinavian Swimmers Gummy Candy Fish and Sea Life Shapes, 2 PACK (total of 28 oz) 14 oz Gluten Free These fish-shaped gummies are labeled gluten-free and come in a variety of flavors in one package.

Ingredients:

  • Cane Sugar
  • Invert Sugar
  • Tapioca Syrup
  • Modified Corn Starch
    Dextrose
  • Citric Acid
  • Acidity Regulator
  • Natural Flavors
  • Fruit and Vegetable Extracts for Color
  • Sodium Citrate
  • Sunflower Oil
  • Carnauba Wax
  • Spirulina for Color

Nutrition Facts (per 28 g. serving):

  • Calories – 100
  • Total Carbohydrates – 26 g
  • Total Fat – 0 g / 0%
  • Sodium – 20 mg / 3%
  • Dietary Fiber – 0 g / 50%
  • Sugars – 19 g
  • Protein – 0 g

Other Gluten-Free Gummy Alternatives

Yum Earth Gummy Bears

YumEarth Gluten Free Gummy Bears, Assorted Flavors, Fruit Flavors, 43 Snack Packs Certified Gluten-Free and Allergen-Friendly, these gummy bears come in a mixture of flavors including pomegranate pucker, mango tango and strawberry smash.

Ingredients:

  • Rice Syrup
  • Cane Sugar
  • Gelatin
  • Corn Starch
  • Apple Juice Concentrate
  • Citric Acid
  • Colored with Concentrates (carrot, apple, black currant, pumpkin, radish, lemon, paprika)
  • Natural Flavors
  • Sunflower Oil
  • Carnauba Wax

Nutrition Facts (per 19.8 g. serving):

  • Calories – 70
  • Total Carbohydrates – 15 g
  • Total Fat – 0 g / 0%
  • Sodium – 0 mg / 0%
  • Dietary Fiber – 0 g / 0%
  • Sugars – 12 g
  • Protein – 1 g

Behave Sweet and Sour Gummies

This company has two versions of their gummies, both with the same ingredients: a sweet style and a sour style. They are certified gluten-free.

Ingredients:

  • Soluble Tapioca Fiber
  • Allulose
  • Kosher Gelatin
  • Chicory Root Fiber
  • Natural Lychee
  • Passion Fruit
  • Raspberry Flavor
  • Plant Fibers
  • Rice Flour
  • Monk Fruit
  • Citric Acid
  • Malic Acid
  • Lactic Acid
  • Fruit and Vegetable Juice For Color
  • Sunflower Oil
  • Carnauba Wax

Nutrition Facts (per 50 g. serving):

  • Calories – 60
  • Total Carbohydrates – 30 g
  • Total Fat – 0.5 g / 0%
  • Sodium – 10 mg / 3%
  • Dietary Fiber – 14 g / 50%
  • Sugars – 1 g
  • Protein – 4 g

Better Bears Gummy Variety Pack

These fruit snacks come in a package with a variety of flavors and are certified gluten-free. They are low in sugar and sweetened with stevia.

Ingredients:

  • Isomaltooligosaccharide
  • Modified Potato Starch
  • Pectin
  • Natural Flavor
  • Citric Acid
  • Sodium Citrate
  • Malic Acid
  • Coconut Oil
  • Fruit and Vegetable Juice for Color
  • Stevia Leaf Extract
  • Carnauba Wax

Nutrition Facts (per 50 g. serving):

  • Calories – 50
  • Total Carbohydrates – 39 g
  • Total Fat – 33 g / 14%
  • Sodium – 60 mg / 3%
  • Dietary Fiber – 33 g / 50%
  • Sugars – 1 g
  • Protein – 0 g

Annie’s Organic Bunny Fruit Snacks

Annie's Organic Bunny Fruit Snacks, Variety Pack, Gluten Free, Vegan, 24 ct These fruity fruit snacks are labeled gluten-free and are low in sugar. Annie’s gummies are also flavored and colored with natural ingredients.

Ingredients:

  • Tapioca Syrup
  • Cane Sugar
  • Tapioca Syrup Solids
  • Pear Juice Concentrate
  • Water
  • Pectin
  • Citric Acid
  • Sodium Citrate
  • Ascorbic Acid
  • Sunflower Oil
  • Organic Color
  • Natural Flavor
  • Carnauba Wax

Nutrition Facts (per 23 g. serving):

  • Calories – 70
  • Total Carbohydrates – 19 g
  • Total Fat – 0 g / 0%
  • Sodium – 55 mg / 2%
  • Dietary Fiber – 0 g / 0%
  • Sugars – 11 g
  • Protein – 0 g

Farley’s & Slathers Gummi Worms

Farley's & Sathers Candy, Gummy Worms, 3.25 Ounce, Pack of 12 All the gummies made by Farley’s & Slathers contain no gluten ingredients, but they are not certified gluten-free.

Ingredients:

  • Corn Syrup
  • Sugar
  • Gelatin
  • Citric Acid
  • White Grape Juice Concentrate
  • Hydrogenated Coconut Oil
  • Natural and Artificial Flavor
  • Carnauba Wax
  • Colors
  • Beeswax

Nutrition Facts (per 41 g. serving):

  • Calories – 120
  • Total Carbohydrates – 30 g
  • Total Fat – 0 g / 0%
  • Sodium – 0 mg / 0%
  • Dietary Fiber – 0 g / 0%
  • Sugars – 26 g
  • Protein – 2 g

Related Questions

Are Swedish Fish vegan?

Swedish Fish are usually vegan, but ingredients vary slightly depending upon the variety of gummy you get. Check the ingredients to make sure they aren’t made with beeswax. Most are made with carnauba wax, which is made from a palm tree in Brazil. Swedish Fish don’t contain gelatin.

Are Swedish Fish kosher?

No, Swedish Fish are not officially kosher certified. To be certified kosher, the company would have to go through all seven steps of the process with an approved rabbinic agency to ensure product ingredients, facility and production is within kosher guidelines.

Are there allergens Swedish Fish?

All varieties of Swedish Fish are free from all the 8 major allergens. They are not certified gluten-free, but contain no gluten ingredients, no nuts, no dairy products, no soybeans, no eggs, and no shellfish.

Are there harmful chemicals in Swedish Fish?

Swedish Fish contain Red 40. Studies have shown the artificial coloring can lead to hyperactivity in children and can increase the chance of having cancer.

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Jessica Else

Jessica Else is a nutrition writer who has a passion for health and wellness. As a breast cancer survivor and a celiac, Jessica sticks to a gluten-free, nutrient-dense diet and lives an active lifestyle. Yoga, hiking and gardening are her favorite ways to stay healthy and engaged with life and she’s dedicated to helping others discover what they can do to boost wellness in their own lives.

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