Is fudge strips Gluten Free?

The Ingredient Breakdown

As a food scientist, I look at the ingredient list to determine safety, and the composition of fudge strips leaves no room for doubt regarding gluten content. The very first ingredient listed is enriched flour. While the term "enriched" refers to added vitamins like niacin and iron, the base of this ingredient is wheat flour. Wheat is one of the three primary grains containing gluten, alongside barley and rye.

Beyond the flour, the product is flagged for containing milk (via whey) and soy (via soybean oil and soy lecithin). While these are allergens rather than gluten sources, they indicate that the manufacturing environment is not dedicated to gluten-free production. There is a high probability of cross-contamination, and the label explicitly states it contains wheat ingredients.

Nutritional Value

From a nutritional standpoint, fudge strips are best viewed as an occasional treat rather than a health food. The calorie density is moderate, but the sugar content is significant, coming from sugar, invert sugar, and molasses. This combination provides a quick spike in blood glucose. Additionally, the fat profile includes vegetable oils like soybean and palm kernel. While acceptable for a standard diet, these strips do not offer substantial fiber or protein to balance the carbohydrate load.