Gluten Free Colin the Caterpillar: Release Date, Price

After 35 years of customer requests, M&S has finally launched a gluten-free Colin the Caterpillar, landing in stores and online on 28 January 2026. Here’s everything you need to know about the release date, price, and availability.

Release date: 28 January 2026 —
Price: £9.50 —
Availability: All M&S stores and Ocado —
Years after original launch: 35

Here’s a quick overview of the gluten-free Colin the Caterpillar specs based on available sources.

When did the gluten free Colin the Caterpillar come out?

Exact launch date and time

• The gluten-free Colin the Caterpillar launched on 28 January 2026, marking 35 years after the original debuted (Good Housekeeping UK).
• It went on sale simultaneously across M&S stores and through Ocado online on the morning of the launch.

Official announcement from M&S

• M&S confirmed the release via social media and press releases, with trade publication British Bakeryinfo reporting it as “the most requested innovation” the bakery team had ever received (British Bakeryinfo).
• The launch was widely covered by Good Housekeeping UK, which noted that gluten-free shoppers had been asking for the product for years.

“The most requested innovation the bakery team had ever received.” — British Bakeryinfo, quoting M&S

“Gluten-free shoppers had been asking for the product for years.” — Good Housekeeping UK

The pattern: one product, 35 years of requests, and finally a release that shows how deep the gluten-free market really runs. What this means: M&S treated the gluten-free Colin not as a niche afterthought, but as a mainstream release priced and positioned identically to the original.

Is gluten free Colin the Caterpillar coming to Ireland?

Irish M&S stores stock

• Yes, the gluten-free Colin is confirmed available in M&S stores across the Republic of Ireland from the same launch date of 28 January 2026 (Irish Examiner).
• Reporting from the Irish Examiner (regional newspaper) confirmed Irish availability the following day, on 29 January 2026.

Cross-border availability

• The price in Ireland matches the UK: £9.50 (or €11.15 at typical exchange rates).
• Northern Ireland M&S stores also stock the cake. The available sources do not specify Irish Ocado availability, but Irish shoppers can visit their local M&S store directly.

The catch: while store stock is confirmed, there is no explicit mention of Irish Ocado delivery in the sources. Irish shoppers relying on online delivery may need to check local M&S store stock directly.

How much is M&S gluten free Colin the Caterpillar?

Retail price

• The gluten-free Colin the Caterpillar costs £9.50 for a 640g cake, as reported by Good Housekeeping UK.

Comparison to original Colin

• The price matches the original gluten-containing Colin exactly—no premium for gluten-free.
• The gluten-free version is reportedly slightly bigger at 640g versus the original’s 625g, giving 15g more cake for the same price (Good Housekeeping UK).

Six facts, one pattern: price parity. M&S didn’t charge a “free-from” tax. For shoppers used to paying a pound or two extra for gluten-free baked goods, that’s a notable move.

Where can I buy gluten-free Colin the Caterpillar?

In-store at M&S

• Available in all M&S stores across the UK and Ireland from 28 January 2026 (Good Housekeeping UK).

Online via Ocado

• Also sold through Ocado online for home delivery.
• Ocado delivery covers most of mainland UK; check postcode availability on the Ocado website.

The trade-off: in-store guarantees immediate availability, while Ocado offers convenience but may sell out faster during peak birthday-party season. For Irish shoppers, in-store is the safer bet.

Do M&S do a gluten-free Colin the Caterpillar?

Product confirmation

• Yes, M&S has launched a gluten-free version of Colin the Caterpillar, as confirmed by Good Housekeeping UK and British Bakeryinfo.

Dietary suitability

• The cake is gluten-free and suitable for coeliacs (Good Housekeeping UK).
• Buyers should check packaging for other allergens, as the cake may contain milk, eggs, or soya.

The implication: for the estimated 1 in 100 UK adults with coeliac disease, this is a rare moment of genuine inclusion at a mainstream price point. No separate section, no apology—just Colin, free from gluten.

Timeline: The road to a gluten-free Colin

For those planning their purchase, the official M&S gluten-free Colin launch details have confirmed the cake will be available in stores and online from late January.

Frequently asked questions

For British and Irish shoppers, the choice is straightforward: pick it up at your local M&S or order via Ocado. For American fans, the wait continues. For M&S, the gluten-free Colin is a long-overdue answer to 35 years of customer feedback—and a test of how far the free-from market has really come.