Is Heath Bars Gluten Free?

Yes, Heath Bars are not gluten-free. They contain malted milk which is derived from barley, a gluten-containing grain.
Is Heath Bars Gluten Free?

Health Benefits

  • Rich in energy and calories, beneficial for those needing to gain weight
  • Contains calcium, important for bone health
  • Provides iron, which helps prevent anemia
  • Contains small amounts of protein
  • Offers quick energy through simple carbohydrates
  • Contains some B vitamins that support metabolism
  • Provides a moderate source of phosphorus for bone health
  • Contains small amounts of potassium for heart function
  • The almonds in Heath bars provide some healthy fats
  • Offers a mood-boosting effect through sugar content
  • Contains antioxidants from the chocolate coating
  • Provides a quick source of glucose for brain function

Who Should Avoid

  • Individuals with diagnosed celiac disease (Heath Bars contain malted barley flour)
  • People with non-celiac gluten sensitivity
  • Those with dairy allergies (contains milk products)
  • Individuals with nut allergies (manufactured in facilities with nuts)
  • People with soy allergies (may contain soy ingredients)
  • Diabetics (high sugar content)
  • Individuals with phenylketonuria (PKU) due to artificial sweeteners
  • Those with severe lactose intolerance
  • Individuals on calorie-restricted diets
  • People with certain heart conditions who need to limit saturated fats
  • Children under age 3 (choking hazard)
  • Those with digestive disorders like IBS

Gluten Free Alternatives

  • Toffee Almond Bark - Made with roasted almonds, butter, and sugar. Crisp texture with rich caramel flavor and gluten free ingredients.
  • Chocolate Caramel Rice Crisp Bars - Created with puffed rice, chocolate, and caramel. Crunchy alternative with similar sweet profile.
  • Sunflower Seed Brittle - Crafted from toasted sunflower seeds and caramelized sugar. Provides similar crunch and sweetness to traditional toffee bars.
  • Quinoa Toffee Clusters - Composed of puffed quinoa, chocolate, and caramel. Gluten free with added protein and nutty undertones.
  • Almond Butter Toffee Squares - Prepared with almond butter, chocolate, and caramelized sugar. Offers rich flavor and crunchy texture without gluten.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is a Heath Bar completely gluten-free?

No, Heath Bars contain malted milk which contains barley and wheat, making them not gluten-free.

Do Heath Bars contain any hidden wheat ingredients in their toffee?

Heath Bars contain wheat flour in their toffee. The wheat flour is used as a binding agent in the toffee mixture.

Could the manufacturing process of Heath Bars involve cross-contamination with gluten-containing products?

Heath Bars are manufactured in facilities that also process wheat products, creating a risk of cross-contamination with gluten. While the main ingredients don’t contain gluten, Hershey’s cannot guarantee the bars are gluten-free due to shared equipment.

What type of malt is used in Heath Bars and is it gluten-free?

Heath Bars contain barley malt and are not gluten-free.

Are the artificial flavors in Heath Bars derived from any gluten sources?

Heath Bars do not contain gluten-derived artificial flavors. All artificial flavors in Heath Bars are gluten-free.
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Dr. Anne Verstegen

Dr. Anne Verstegen specializes in orthomolecular therapy and nutritional coaching. With a background in public health research and management, she focuses on addressing health concerns through dietary approaches, gut health optimization, and stress reduction strategies. As Glutenfreeda's professional editor, she reviews all content to ensure accuracy, safety, and alignment with current nutritional science.

We Try Our Best

We understand how important it is to have trustworthy information when managing a gluten-free lifestyle, which is why we carefully source all our content from respected health and nutrition experts. You can find these trusted references listed below: 

  1. National Institutes of Health (NIH)

  2. Coeliac UK

  3. Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health

  4. Mayo Clinic

  5. World Health Organization (WHO)

  6. Celiac Disease Foundation

While we’re committed to sharing the most accurate and helpful gluten-free guidance possible, we’re human and sometimes things slip through the cracks.

If something doesn’t look quite right to you or if you have any questions, we’d genuinely appreciate you contacting us. It helps us keep improving and ensures everyone gets the reliable information they deserve.

The information on this site is for educational purposes only and doesn’t replace professional medical advice. If you suspect gluten sensitivity, consult with a healthcare provider before changing your diet.