Tag: Carnauba wax

The global vegan gummy candy market was valued at over $1.1 billion in 2024 and is growing, fueled by brands like Sour Patch Kids, which eschew traditional animal-based thickeners. This begs the question for many curious consumers: what do sour patches use instead of gelatin to create their iconic, chewy, and irresistibly sour bite?

Over 80 years ago, food researchers first discovered that applying a protective wax could prevent moisture loss in produce, and today, that shiny coating on your apple is a highly refined and regulated substance. Concerns surrounding whether apple wax is safe to eat have proliferated in recent years due to viral videos and misinformation, but food safety experts widely agree that these edible coatings pose no health risk and are not toxic.

Did you know that many fruits, including apples and cucumbers, produce their own natural, waxy coating, but this protective layer is washed away during processing? To replace this lost barrier and extend freshness, producers apply a new layer of edible coating, commonly a food-grade wax, to the fruit before it reaches the supermarket shelf.

According to the USDA, organic citrus, including oranges, can indeed be coated with a food-grade wax. This practice often surprises consumers who assume organic produce is entirely untreated, but it is necessary to preserve freshness during transportation and retail. The crucial difference is the type of wax used, which must be derived from natural, non-synthetic sources.

An apple's shiny, waxy surface is often a source of curiosity and debate on platforms like Reddit, with many questioning its origin on organic varieties. All apples naturally produce their own protective wax layer, but organic apples may also have a food-grade wax added after harvesting to replace the natural coating removed during washing. This added wax is sourced from natural substances, unlike the sometimes petroleum-based waxes used on conventional produce.

Did you know that some jelly beans are not vegetarian or vegan due to their coating? The hard, shiny exterior that gives these candies their iconic crunch and gloss can be a complex mixture of ingredients, making it important to know what is the coating of a jelly bean made of.

According to Grand View Research, the vegan confectionery market is projected to expand significantly, driven by a growing interest in animal-product alternatives. These treats, which skip gelatin, dairy, and other animal derivatives, rely on a host of innovative plant-based ingredients to achieve their desired textures and flavors, answering the question: what are the ingredients in plant based candy?.

Not all jellybeans are vegan, with many popular brands containing animal by-products like gelatin or beeswax. Knowing which jellybeans are vegan requires careful label reading and awareness of sneaky non-vegan ingredients hidden in the ingredient list.

According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, confectioners glaze (shellac) is generally recognized as safe for food use. While many candies use this insect-derived glaze for shine, the answer for M&Ms is more nuanced, depending on the product variety and location.

While most chewing gum might seem vegetarian, a surprising number of popular brands contain hidden animal-derived ingredients. This makes it essential for anyone following a plant-based diet to learn exactly what chewing gum is vegetarian and how to identify it on store shelves.