The Challenge of Finding Truly Vegan Candy
Adopting a vegan lifestyle goes beyond simply avoiding meat and dairy; it involves scrutinizing ingredients for hidden animal derivatives. This can be particularly challenging with processed foods like candy, where a single non-vegan ingredient can spoil an otherwise plant-based treat. Many popular brands that seem vegan at first glance may contain ingredients with an animal origin or be processed in a way that raises ethical questions for strict vegans. Understanding the full scope of what makes a product non-vegan—from animal-derived additives to ethically controversial processing aids—is crucial for making truly compassionate choices.
Common Non-Vegan Ingredients to Watch Out For
Navigating candy aisles requires vigilance, as several key ingredients are consistently non-vegan. Being able to recognize these on an ingredients list is the first step toward a successful vegan diet. The most common animal-based culprits include:
- Gelatin: A protein derived from the collagen of animal skin, ligaments, tendons, and bones, most often from pigs or cows. Gelatin is used to create the chewy, jiggly texture found in many gummies, marshmallows, and jellybeans.
- Confectioner's Glaze (Shellac): This shiny, hard coating is commonly used on candies to give them a glossy finish and prevent them from sticking together. However, it is a resin secreted by the female lac bug, which is scraped from tree branches along with the insects themselves. Around 100,000 bugs die to produce a single pound of shellac, making it decidedly non-vegan.
- Carmine (E120, Cochineal): This is a red dye made from crushed cochineal insects and was once used in Skittles before they switched to a vegan alternative. It is still found in many brightly colored red or pink candies.
- Beeswax (E901): Derived from honeybees, beeswax is used as a glazing agent to add shine and prevent sticking. Some varieties of Swedish Fish have been known to use beeswax, so it's important to check the label.
- Dairy: Ingredients like milk, whey, and casein are obvious animal products and are common in many chocolate-based candies.
Controversial Ingredients for the Strict Vegan
Beyond the obvious animal-derived ingredients, a deeper dive into the production process reveals other ethically questionable components that some vegans choose to avoid:
- Refined Cane Sugar: While sugar comes from a plant, some cane sugar is refined using bone char—a granular material made from the charred bones of cattle—to filter and whiten the sugar crystals. This practice does not leave any bone char residue in the final product, but strict vegans who oppose all animal products, even as processing aids, will avoid it. Sugar from beets is not processed with bone char and is always vegan.
- Artificial Colors (e.g., Red 40): Many artificial colors are tested on animals, a practice that is non-negotiable for some vegans who oppose all forms of animal cruelty. While the dyes themselves are synthesized in a lab and not animal-derived, the ongoing animal testing makes them a significant ethical concern.
- Palm Oil: This vegetable oil is technically vegan, but its production has been linked to deforestation, habitat loss, and species extinction, particularly for orangutans. Many vegans avoid products containing palm oil due to its devastating environmental impact on animal habitats.
What Candy Is 100% Vegan? A List of Popular Options
Fortunately, there are many popular, widely available candies that are vegan-friendly, though labels should always be checked for regional variations and new recipes.
- Hard Candies and Lollipops
- Smarties (US versions): Free from the top nine allergens, gluten-free, and vegan, with calcium stearate derived from plants.
- Jolly Rancher Hard Candies & Lollipops: These contain no animal products. Note that Jolly Rancher chews and gummies are not vegan as they contain gelatin.
- Ring Pops (Hard Candy Version): The classic hard candy rings are vegan, but the gummy versions often contain gelatin.
- Dum Dums: A classic lollipop that is vegan-friendly.
- Chewy Candies
- Skittles (US versions): Now made without gelatin and carmine, Skittles are considered vegan, but some limited editions may not be.
- Sour Patch Kids: The main varieties are vegan and use modified corn starch instead of gelatin. Some vegans may question the sugar and artificial colors.
- Swedish Fish: The original varieties are free of gelatin, but some packages may contain beeswax, so always check the ingredient list.
- Dots: The classic gumdrop candies are vegan, gluten-free, and nut-free.
- Twizzlers (Twists & Pull 'n' Peel): Classic Twizzlers are confirmed vegan and made without gelatin.
Vegan vs. Not-Always-Vegan: A Comparison Table
| Candy Brand | Vegan Status | Key Ingredients to Check |
|---|---|---|
| Skittles | Generally Vegan | Artificial colors, potential limited-edition variations, palm oil |
| Sour Patch Kids | Generally Vegan | Sugar source, artificial colors |
| Swedish Fish | Generally Vegan | Beeswax in some versions |
| Jolly Ranchers | Hard candies/Lollipops: Vegan. Chewy: Not Vegan | Gelatin in chewy versions |
| Smarties (US) | Vegan | Always check UPC for confirmation of manufacturer |
| Dots | Vegan | Gummy version is vegan, paper button versions are not |
| Mike and Ike's | Not Vegan | Confectioner's glaze (shellac) |
Reading Labels Like a Pro
To confidently choose truly vegan candy, you must become an expert label reader. Here's what to look for:
- Check for an explicit Vegan or Certified Vegan label. This is the most straightforward indicator and takes the guesswork out of the equation.
- Scan for common non-vegan ingredients. Look for names like gelatin, carmine (E120), confectioner's glaze (shellac, E904), and beeswax (E901).
- Evaluate controversial ingredients. Decide where you stand on refined cane sugar, palm oil, and artificial colors based on your personal ethics. While not animal-derived themselves, they represent ethical dilemmas for many vegans.
- Confirming Sugar Sourcing: Unless specified as beet sugar or organic, some cane sugar may have been refined with bone char. Most vegans who are concerned with this either choose organic sugar products or contact the manufacturer to confirm their sourcing.
Conclusion
While the search for a truly 100% vegan candy can involve a bit of extra detective work, the effort is well worth it for those committed to a compassionate lifestyle. The good news is that many beloved candy brands, through recipe changes or inherent plant-based ingredients, are already vegan-friendly. By knowing the key ingredients to avoid and the ethical gray areas to consider, you can enjoy a sweet treat that aligns with your values. Always check the label, as formulations can change, and support brands that are transparent and committed to animal-free products. For further reading and a comprehensive list of popular accidentally vegan foods, PETA offers an excellent resource.(https://www.peta.org/faq/which-candies-are-vegan/)
