Demystifying vegan lollies: What to look for
For many years, the word "vegan" and "lollies" seemed mutually exclusive, especially when it came to chewy, gelatin-based treats. However, as the plant-based market has grown, so too has the availability of delicious, cruelty-free confectionery. The key lies in understanding which common ingredients are derived from animals and, therefore, not vegan. The most notorious culprit is gelatine, a gelling agent made from boiled animal parts, often found in gummies. Other common non-vegan additives include beeswax and cochineal, a red food colouring made from crushed insects.
To find vegan lollies, you can look for explicitly labelled products or hunt for "accidentally vegan" treats. These are products that weren't necessarily created for the vegan market but happen to be free from animal products. Popular examples include many hard candies and certain fruit chews that don't rely on gelatine for their texture.
The crucial ingredients to check
When reading a lolly's ingredients list, there are several key items to watch out for. Becoming an expert in label-reading is an essential skill for any vegan with a sweet tooth.
Gelatine and its vegan alternatives
- Gelatine: The number one ingredient to avoid in gummy or jelly sweets, derived from animal collagen.
- Vegan Alternatives: Modern lollies often use plant-based thickeners instead. Look for pectin (from fruit), agar-agar (from seaweed), or carrageenan (from red algae) for that signature chewiness.
Beeswax, shellac, and glazes
- Beeswax (E901): Often used to give lollies a shiny, protective coating. Since it comes from bees, it is not vegan.
- Confectioner's Glaze (Shellac, E904): This shiny glaze is derived from the resin of the female lac bug and is not vegan.
- Vegan Alternatives: Vegan-friendly glazes are available, but many brands simply omit the coating, resulting in a slightly less shiny but equally delicious product.
Animal-based colourings
- Cochineal (Carmine, E120): A vibrant red food colouring made from crushed insects.
- Natural Red 4: This is another name for carmine, and it should be avoided.
- Vegan Alternatives: Safe vegan red colourings are often derived from vegetable juices like beetroot or anthocyanins from berries.
Dairy ingredients
- Milk, milk solids, whey, casein: These dairy-based ingredients are commonly found in cream-flavoured lollies, caramel, and milk chocolates. Always double-check.
A comparison of common lolly types
To simplify your search, here is a comparison of how different types of lollies fare in the vegan-friendly category.
| Lolly Type | Likelihood of being Vegan | Key Ingredients to Check |
|---|---|---|
| Chewy/Gummy | Low | Gelatine, beeswax, shellac, carmine. |
| Hard Candy | High | Usually vegan, but check for beeswax or dairy. |
| Fruit Chews/Taffy | Variable | May contain gelatine or egg whites (e.g., some large Laffy Taffy). |
| Lollipops | High | Most hard lollipops are vegan. Creamy flavours may contain dairy. |
| Foam/Marshmallow | Low | Almost always contains gelatine, though vegan versions exist (e.g., Dandies). |
| Liquorice | Variable | Mostly vegan, but depends on the brand; check for gelatine. |
| Sour Sweets | High | Most sour sweets are vegan, but always check the label. |
Popular brands and their vegan options
Many mainstream and specialty brands offer vegan lollies, making it easier than ever to find a tasty treat. While lists are helpful, always cross-reference with the latest packaging, as ingredients can change.
Accidentally vegan favourites
- Skittles: All flavours are vegan-friendly, as they no longer contain carmine or gelatine.
- Sour Patch Kids: These are accidentally vegan and don't contain any gelatine.
- Twizzlers: The original strawberry flavour is vegan.
- Jolly Ranchers: Most hard candies are vegan; however, their chewy versions sometimes contain gelatine.
- Dum Dums: These classic lollipops are vegan.
Explicitly vegan brands
- Candy Kittens (UK): Offers a range of explicitly vegan gummies.
- Free From Fellows (UK/AU): Specialises in vegan and sugar-free sweets.
- Jealous Sweets (UK): Provides a variety of gelatine-free and natural flavour gummies.
- YumEarth: Offers organic, allergen-free, and vegan lollipops and chews.
- Katjes (EU): A German brand well-known for its wide selection of vegan fruit gums and liquorice.
Conclusion: Navigating the vegan lolly landscape
With a bit of knowledge and a few minutes to check the ingredients, navigating the world of vegan lollies is simple. The proliferation of plant-based options means there's a vegan alternative for almost every type of sweet, from hard candies to chewy gummies. By understanding which ingredients are off-limits and recognising the growing list of accidentally and intentionally vegan brands, you can easily find lollies that align with an ethical, plant-based diet. Your sweet tooth doesn't have to be sacrificed in your vegan journey—in fact, it might just find some exciting new flavours along the way. For further reading and a deeper dive into the ethics of veganism, the organization Veganuary provides extensive guides on plant-based living.
