Nutrition Diet: What sweets are accidentally vegan?

October 8, 2025 •

4 min read

Did you know that many popular sweets and candies are accidentally vegan, simply by omitting animal-derived ingredients? With a growing number of people adopting plant-based diets, discovering that some mainstream brands offer treats free of animal products can be a pleasant surprise. This guide helps you identify what sweets are accidentally vegan as part of a mindful nutrition diet.

Quick Summary

This guide reveals how to spot and identify accidentally vegan sweets and snacks by checking ingredient labels for hidden animal products like gelatin and dairy, offering a list of popular options.

Key Points

Check Labels Carefully: Always read ingredient lists, as recipes can change without notice, and a product that was once vegan may not be in the future.
Know Your Hidden Culprits: Be aware of animal-derived ingredients like gelatine, shellac (E904), and cochineal (E120) that are commonly used in sweets.
Embrace the Unexpected: Many mainstream and budget-friendly products, from popular candies to biscuits, are accidentally vegan, expanding your options significantly.
Maintain Moderation: Even vegan sweets are typically high in sugar and should be consumed sparingly as part of a healthy, balanced nutrition diet.
Prioritise Whole Foods: A robust vegan diet should be built on whole foods like fruits, vegetables, and grains, with sweets acting as an occasional treat.
Be Mindful of Cross-Contamination: For strict vegans, check for cross-contamination warnings, even on products without animal ingredients, as they may be processed in shared facilities.

Navigating a plant-based diet can be a delicious journey filled with discoveries, especially when it comes to snacking and satisfying a sweet tooth. While many confectionery companies now offer intentionally vegan products, a surprising number of everyday sweets have always been free of animal ingredients by chance. These 'accidentally vegan' items are a welcome find for those adhering to a vegan lifestyle or simply exploring more plant-based options.

Understanding 'Accidentally Vegan'

The term 'accidentally vegan' refers to products that were not created or marketed specifically for vegans, but whose ingredient lists contain no animal products. These can range from popular candies to certain cookies and baked goods. The key is vigilant label reading, as recipes can change, and what was once vegan may no longer be. It is especially important to distinguish between 'vegan' and 'vegetarian' products, as many gummy sweets labeled as vegetarian still contain beeswax or other non-vegan additives.

Common Animal-Derived Ingredients to Watch For

To become a pro at spotting accidentally vegan treats, you must know which ingredients to avoid. These are often hidden in plain sight, and their origins are not always obvious. Here is a list of some common culprits:

Gelatine: Used as a gelling agent in many gummy sweets, this substance is derived from the bones, skin, and ligaments of animals, typically pigs or cows.
Shellac (E904): A resin secreted by the female lac bug, it is used to create a shiny, hard coating on candies and is not vegan.
Cochineal (E120) / Carmine: This red food coloring is made from crushed scale insects. It is important to note that many brands, like Skittles in the UK, have since removed this ingredient.
Dairy: Ingredients like milk powder, whey, lactose, and casein are derived from milk and are found in many chocolates, cookies, and creamy sweets.
Beeswax: A common coating on some sweets and gummy candies, it is a product of bees and is avoided by most vegans.

Popular Accidentally Vegan Candies and Sweets

Many household-name treats are accidentally vegan, providing delicious options for those following a plant-based nutrition diet. While regional variations exist, here are some widely known examples from US and UK sources:

Skittles (most flavours): In the UK, most flavours are now vegan, having removed cochineal and gelatin. Check labels in other regions as ingredients can differ.
Starburst (most flavours): Like Skittles, many Starburst products have become accidentally vegan.
Oreos (Original): The classic cookie is widely considered accidentally vegan, though they carry a cross-contamination warning for milk.
Swedish Fish: These chewy, fish-shaped candies are typically free of gelatin.
Sour Patch Kids: The sour and sweet gummies are a reliable accidentally vegan option.
Jolly Rancher Hard Candy and Lollipops: Most of these hard candies are free of animal products.
Smarties (US Version): This American candy is a popular accidentally vegan choice.
Hard Candies: Many traditional boiled sweets and fruit drops, such as Sherbet Lemons, are naturally vegan.
Some Biscuits: Certain plain biscuits like Bourbons and Custard Creams (in the UK) are accidentally vegan.

Table: Common Candy Ingredients - Vegan vs. Non-Vegan


Feature	Typically Vegan (Plant-based)	Typically Non-Vegan (Animal-derived)
Gelling Agent	Pectin, Agar-Agar, Corn Starch	Gelatine (from animal collagen)
Glazing	Carnauba wax, Soy Lecithin	Shellac (E904), Beeswax
Red Coloring	Red beet extract, Paprika, Lycopene	Cochineal / Carmine (E120)
Fats	Vegetable Oils, Cocoa Butter	Butterfat, Milk solids
Thickener	Maltodextrin, Tapioca Starch	Milk Powder, Whey

Nutrition and Moderation: A Sweet Reminder

While discovering accidentally vegan options expands your choices, it is important to remember that they are still treats. From a nutritional standpoint, many are high in sugar and calories, and the vegan label does not automatically make them a health food. A well-planned vegan diet, like any healthy diet, should focus on a variety of whole plant foods such as fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts, seeds, and whole grains. The World Health Organization advises limiting intake of free sugars for overall health, and this guidance applies equally to vegan sweets. Enjoying these treats in moderation is key to maintaining a balanced and healthy nutrition diet. For comprehensive guidance on building a healthy vegan diet, resources like The Vegan Society offer excellent, science-backed information on sourcing essential nutrients.

Conclusion: Mindful Indulgence on a Vegan Diet

Embracing a plant-based lifestyle doesn't mean giving up all your favourite sweet indulgences. By becoming an expert label reader and knowing which ingredients to avoid, you can confidently identify what sweets are accidentally vegan and enjoy them as part of a balanced nutrition diet. From childhood favourites to classic hard candies, many surprises await on supermarket shelves. Remember to enjoy these items in moderation and focus on a diverse array of whole plant foods for your primary nutritional needs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, many vegans consider original Oreos to be accidentally vegan, as their ingredients do not include milk or eggs. However, some variants contain animal products, and the original may have a cross-contamination warning for milk from shared equipment.

Gelatine is a gelling agent derived from the collagen found in animal parts, such as bones, skin, and tendons. Since it is an animal-derived product, it is not vegan and is commonly found in gummy sweets and jellies.

Vegans should watch out for colourings like cochineal or carmine (E120), a red dye made from crushed insects. Some brands have removed this, but labels should always be checked.

Not necessarily. Accidental veganism refers only to the absence of animal products. The nutritional profile, which can be high in sugar and processed ingredients, remains the same as conventional sweets. Moderation is key for a healthy nutrition diet.

Most Skittles flavors sold in the UK and some other regions are accidentally vegan, as the company removed animal-derived ingredients like gelatin and cochineal. However, regional variations exist, so checking the label is always the safest option.

Shellac (E904) is a resin secreted by the female lac bug and is used as a hard, shiny glaze on some sweets. As an animal product, it is not considered vegan.

Several popular biscuits in the UK are accidentally vegan, including Bourbons, Custard Creams, and Plain Hobnobs. However, as with all packaged goods, it's wise to read the ingredients list before purchasing.