Is Jelly Belly Original Gourmet Jelly Bean Gluten Free?

The Ingredient Breakdown

When determining if a candy is truly gluten-free, we have to look beyond the obvious wheat flour and look at the functional ingredients. In the case of Jelly Belly Original Gourmet Jelly Bean, the primary ingredient is sugar and corn syrup, which are naturally gluten-free. However, the texture and structure rely on specific starches that can sometimes be derived from wheat.

The two main flags in this ingredient list are modified food starch and tapioca dextrin. In the United States, manufacturers are not required to disclose the source of the starch unless it is wheat. However, Jelly Belly has historically stated that the modified food starch used in their jelly beans is derived from corn. The tapioca dextrin is also explicitly sourced from tapioca (a root vegetable), making it safe. Additionally, the confectioner's glaze (shellac) is often a concern, but it is not a gluten-containing ingredient.

It is also important to note that while the ingredients are promising, manufacturing practices matter. There is no explicit "gluten-free" certification on the packaging, which means there is a potential, albeit low, risk of cross-contamination in the facility where they are produced.

Nutritional Value

From a nutritional standpoint, Jelly Belly Original Gourmet Jelly Beans are essentially pure sugar. A standard serving size (about 20 beans or 36g) contains approximately 140 calories, all of which come from carbohydrates (35g), specifically 29g of sugar. There is zero fat, zero protein, and no dietary fiber.

While they are fat-free, they are not a nutrient-dense food. The fruit purees (peach, blueberry, apple, etc.) are listed as concentrates, meaning the water has been removed, leaving behind the sugar and flavor compounds. This provides a trace amount of Vitamin C (ascorbic acid is added), but it does not make the candy a healthy choice. For anyone monitoring blood sugar or looking for satiety, these beans provide a quick spike in energy followed by a crash, with little nutritional benefit.