I just wanted to share something that I recently noticed in case it affects anyone else here.
Since Jelly Belly was acquired by Ferrara Candy Company, the packaging has changed (and has also been significantly been reduced in size, but we’ll save that for r/shrinkflation), and their gluten-free labeling is now gone. I just opened a new package and noticed these changes, which gave me pause. Ferarra’s FAQs are useless and state to reach out to the company directly, which is what I did.
Unfortunately, the response I received from a less than friendly agent (most likely a bot) was basically a copy/paste of their FAQ, saying essentially reiterating that consumers should check the packaging for a gluten-free claim or certification, and that manufacturing locations and processes can vary. They also wouldn't explicitly confirm whether the product is still gluten-free.
To me, the removal of the gluten-free labeling combined with the lack of a clear answer makes it hard to feel confident continuing to eat them. It's really disappointing, especially since they've been considered a reliable option for years… one of the few readily available candies left that I can actually enjoy.
Has anyone else noticed this or gotten a different response? Sigh… it feels like everyday our world gets a little bit smaller.