Are the Candy Dots Vegan? A Guide to Plant-Based Choices

November 9, 2025 •

4 min read

Recent surveys show a rising interest in plant-based eating. A key consideration for vegans is whether popular treats like candy dots align with their dietary choices. Whether or not candy dots are vegan depends entirely on the specific product.

Quick Summary

Determining if candy dots are vegan involves distinguishing between the various brands available. Examining ingredient lists, especially for gelatin and shellac, is essential. Checking product labels is the most reliable way for vegans to ensure their candy choice is suitable.

Key Points

Know the brand: Tootsie Roll DOTS are vegan because they use modified food starch, while classic paper Candy Buttons are usually not vegan due to gelatin.
Avoid gelatin: Gelatin, a protein from animal collagen, is a common non-vegan ingredient in candy dots, mainly in the paper variety.
Watch for hidden ingredients: Look for shellac (confectioner's glaze), beeswax, and carmine, which are non-vegan and often used for coatings or color.
Look for certifications: Opt for products with "vegan" or reliable third-party certification labels to ensure they have no animal-derived ingredients.
Be careful with glycerin: Glycerin can be from animal or plant sources, so look for "vegetable glycerin" or contact the manufacturer.
Demand drives innovation: The increasing demand for plant-based options means more vegan candy choices, making it easier to find suitable treats.

Decoding the Vegan Status of "Candy Dots"

The answer to the question, "Are the candy dots vegan?" relies on which specific product is being discussed. The term "candy dots" commonly refers to two different candies, each with their own ingredients and vegan suitability. The first are the fruit-flavored gumdrops known as DOTS by Tootsie Roll Industries. The second are the traditional sugar candy buttons, also called Candy Buttons, which are attached to strips of paper.

Tootsie Roll DOTS: Generally Vegan-Friendly

For those following a vegan diet, the good news is that Tootsie Roll DOTS are usually considered vegan. These chewy, fruit-flavored gumdrops are often made with ingredients like corn syrup, sugar, modified food starch, malic acid, natural and artificial flavors, sodium citrate, and artificial colors. The critical ingredient, modified food starch, is a plant-based alternative to gelatin, a common gelling agent derived from animals. DOTS are also certified kosher, which further supports their lack of animal products.

The Challenge of Paper Candy Buttons

In contrast, the classic sugar dots found on paper strips, known as Candy Buttons, are often not vegan. They usually contain gelatin to achieve their hard texture. Gelatin is a protein from the collagen found in animal tissues, typically pigs and cows, and is therefore not appropriate for a vegan diet. While some smaller brands might create a vegan version of these candies, the common variety includes this animal-derived ingredient, sometimes along with egg whites.

Identifying Common Non-Vegan Ingredients in Candy

Vegans need to be aware of ingredients, besides gelatin, that may not be plant-based. These include:

Confectioner's Glaze (Shellac): This coating gives a shiny appearance and is derived from the excretions of the lac insect, making it non-vegan. Many jelly beans and sprinkles use this.
Beeswax: A product of bees, beeswax acts as a coating or stiffening agent in many candies, including some jelly beans and other shiny confections.
Glycerin: This can come from animal fat (tallow) or vegetable oils (soy, palm, coconut). Without the label stating "vegetable glycerin," it can be hard to know the source.
Refined White Sugar: In some cases, refined white sugar is processed using "bone char," which is charred animal bones. Many companies have stopped using this, but it is not universally avoided.
Carmine: This red food coloring is extracted from cochineal insects and is not vegan.

Steps to Verify if Candy Dots Are Vegan

Vegans can determine if candy dots are suitable by following these steps:

Read the label carefully: Always check the ingredients. Look out for gelatin, shellac (confectioner's glaze), beeswax, and glycerin of unknown origin.
Differentiate the brand: Remember the difference between Tootsie Roll DOTS (usually vegan) and paper Candy Buttons (likely not vegan).
Search for certified products: Look for vegan certification labels on the packaging. These labels guarantee the product has no animal-derived ingredients.
Consider contacting the manufacturer: If the ingredient list is unclear, especially about glycerin or artificial colors, contact the company to clarify.

Comparison: Vegan vs. Non-Vegan Candy Dots


Feature	Vegan (Tootsie Roll DOTS)	Non-Vegan (Paper Candy Buttons)
Vegan Status	Yes, usually vegan.	Typically not vegan.
Gelling Agent	Modified food starch, a plant-based ingredient.	Gelatin, derived from animal collagen.
Texture	Chewy gumdrop texture.	Crunchy, hard sugar buttons.
Form	Small, rounded gumdrops in boxes or bags.	Tiny sugar dots on paper strips.
Risk of Animal Ingredients	Low, as confirmed by manufacturer.	High risk due to gelatin and sometimes egg whites.

The Expansion of Plant-Based Confectionery

The rising demand for plant-based products has encouraged many confectionary companies to innovate. Vegan alternatives to traditional candies are more widely available. These products use plant-based options instead of animal-derived ingredients, such as pectin or agar-agar instead of gelatin, or carnauba wax instead of beeswax. This provides more choices for vegans and those with allergies or other dietary limits. Because vegan options are available for many common candy ingredients, consumers can enjoy treats without changing their values or health needs.

Conclusion

Knowing if candy dots are vegan requires identifying the specific brand and checking the ingredient label. The popular chewy gumdrops known as DOTS from Tootsie Roll are vegan because they use modified food starch. However, the hard sugar dots on paper, or Candy Buttons, often include gelatin and are therefore not vegan. By understanding the difference and staying alert for ingredients like shellac and certain food colorings, vegans can enjoy sweets while staying true to their dietary principles. Always read the label and, when unsure, choose products clearly labeled as vegan.

Authoritative Outbound Link

For an in-depth look at vegan and potentially vegan candy, see VegNews' comprehensive list.

Frequently Asked Questions

Tootsie Roll DOTS are chewy, fruit-flavored gumdrops that are vegan. Candy Buttons are the small, hard sugar dots on paper strips and almost always contain gelatin, making them non-vegan.

No, gelatin is not vegan. It is a protein from the collagen in animal bones, tendons, ligaments, and skin, typically from cows and pigs.

Vegan candies often use plant-based alternatives for texture. Common gelatin substitutes include modified food starch, pectin, and agar-agar.

Not always. The shiny coating, often called confectioner's glaze or shellac, comes from the excretions of the lac insect and is not vegan. Carnauba wax is a plant-based vegan alternative.

It depends. A vegetarian may avoid gelatin, which is found in most paper Candy Buttons. However, ovo-vegetarians who eat egg whites might be less concerned with that specific ingredient. Checking the label for any animal products, including gelatin and eggs, is best.

While most artificial colors are synthetic and vegan-friendly, some natural colors are not. Carmine (E120), a red dye, comes from cochineal insects and is not vegan. Some vegans also have ethical concerns about synthetic colors tested on animals.

It is difficult to know for certain without contacting the manufacturer. Some refined white sugar uses bone char, a non-vegan filtering agent. Unless a product is certified vegan or the company confirms its sugar source, it is difficult to know for sure.