Gluten-free? Rockets and Smarties in Canada.

Are both candies in the photo above Smarties? Yes and No. In the USA the ones on the bottom are called Smarties, but in Canada they are called Rockets.

When Canadians and Americans talk about the candies called Smarties, they are not talking about the same product. One is gluten-free and one contains gluten. I had a confusing argument with an American friend of mine who is also a celiac. I said, "Wish I could eat Smarties, too bad they contain gluten." She replied, "But, why not they are gluten-free?" After a bit of confusion and looking on the interent, we discovered that Smarties in Canada and Smarties in the USA aren't the same thing.

In Canada, we call the above candy Rockets. In the USA they are called Smarties. The US company changed it's name from Ce De Candy, Inc to Smarties, Inc in 2011. So, in Canada we call these slightly sweet tablet candies 'Rockets" and they are gluten-free.

In Canada, the above candy is known as Smarties. Similar to M & M's. They are a small round chocolate covered in a hard colourful shell. And, they contain gluten. They are made by the Nestle company in Canada, who own the trademark "Smarties". Because of this Rockets in Canada can't be called Smarties.

Also, Canadian "Smarties" aren't sold in the USA.

Just goes to show that Celiac's always need to do research and take nothing at face value!

Note: These are my personal experiences and opinions. Always seek out a medical opinion for medical concerns. Not sponsored. If sponsored I will always say so at the top of the post.