Startup CPG Newswire:
Essential Candy® Achieves Official GFCO Gluten-Free Certification

PRESS RELEASE — NEWS PROVIDED BY Dean Ernst for Essential Candy

GREENVILLE, SC (NOVEMBER 2025) — Essential Candy®, a woman-owned, plant-powered wellness brand based in South Carolina, has officially earned its Gluten-Free Certification from the Gluten-Free Certification Organization (GFCO), one of the most trusted verification programs in the world.

While the company’s functional lozenges have always been gluten-free, the new certification provides third-party validation that every product meets the strict GFCO standard of less than 10 parts per million (ppm), exceeding the FDA’s 20 ppm guideline. The achievement reinforces Essential Candy®’s commitment to transparency, safety, and consumer trust.

“Achieving GFCO certification provides an added level of assurance and demonstrates our dedication to the highest quality and safety standards,” said Tracy Ernst, Founder and Co-Owner of Essential Candy®. “Our customers have trusted us for years to deliver plant-powered wellness products made with real ingredients and integrity.”

“This certification reflects our mission to create clean, functional lozenges that support wellness without compromise,” added Dean Ernst, Co-Owner. “We’re proud to offer a product that people with dietary sensitivities can enjoy with confidence.”

The certification complements Essential Candy®’s other credentials, including GMP certification, FDA registration, and inspection by the South Carolina Department of Agriculture. Each lozenge is vegan, non-GMO, dairy-free, soy-free, and crafted with organic ingredients in small batches at the company’s Greenville facility, ensuring purity and consistency.

Founded in 2018 by Tracy Ernst after helping a friend through cancer treatments, Essential Candy® began with a mission to create plant-based lozenges that provide comfort and care through natural botanicals. Today, the company continues to grow nationally while staying true to its Candy With A Purpose™ mission—donating a bag of lozenges for every purchase to individuals and support groups facing health challenges.

As Essential Candy® expands into major retailers, including Walmart, this new certification strengthens its position in the better-for-you and functional wellness space, underscoring the brand’s belief that wellness should be simple, honest, and powered by plants.

About Essential Candy

Essential Candy manufactures plant-powered lozenges infused with organic botanical extracts. Rooted in the mission of “Candy With A Purpose,” the company donates products to individuals and support groups facing health challenges. Founded by Tracy Ernst in 2019 and headquartered in Easley, South Carolina, Essential Candy continues to expand its product lines and retail presence nationwide.

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