Understanding Your Sweets: What Sweets Contain Animal Products?

November 5, 2025 •

4 min read

Up to 40% of consumers are unaware that many common food products, including sweets, contain hidden animal derivatives like gelatin and carmine. For those following a vegetarian, vegan, halal, or kosher diet, knowing what sweets contain animal products is essential for making informed dietary choices.

Quick Summary

This guide reveals common animal-derived ingredients like gelatin, dairy, and shellac found in many sweets. It explains how to identify these components on labels and offers insight into plant-based alternatives for ethical and dietary choices.

Key Points

Gelatin is a primary animal product: Derived from animal collagen, it's used to create the chewy texture in many popular gummy candies and marshmallows.
Carmine is an insect-based red dye: This vibrant red coloring comes from crushed cochineal insects and is found in some red candies, yogurts, and drinks.
Shellac provides a glossy finish: Also known as confectioner's glaze, this coating is made from lac bug secretions and adds shine to candies like jelly beans.
Dairy is present in many chocolates and caramels: Common dairy derivatives like milk powder, whey, and casein are used for texture and flavor in milk chocolate, nougat, and toffees.
Label reading is key: Due to hidden ingredients, checking for "vegan" or specific ingredient certifications is the most reliable way to avoid animal products.
Plant-based alternatives are widely available: As consumer demand grows, manufacturers are increasingly using plant-based substitutes like pectin and agar-agar to create delicious, animal-free sweets.

Common Animal Products in Confectionery

Many popular sweets, from chewy gummies to glossy candies, contain animal-derived ingredients that are not always obvious. These components serve specific functions, such as creating texture, adding color, or providing a shiny finish. For those who avoid animal products for ethical or religious reasons, reading labels is the most reliable way to identify these hidden ingredients.

Gelatin: The Source of Chew

Gelatin is perhaps the most well-known animal product in confectionery. It is a protein derived from the collagen found in the bones, skin, and connective tissues of animals, typically pigs and cows. Its gelling properties are what give many sweets their characteristic chewy, jiggly texture.

Sweets containing gelatin often include:

Gummy candies (bears, worms, rings)
Marshmallows
Jelly beans
Some fruit snacks
Certain jelly desserts and puddings

Fortunately, many modern manufacturers now use plant-based alternatives to gelatin to appeal to a wider audience. Common substitutes include pectin (derived from fruits) or agar-agar (sourced from seaweed).

Carmine: The Red Bug Dye

For centuries, carmine, also known as cochineal extract or Natural Red 4 (E120), has been used to create a vibrant red dye. This coloring is made by crushing the dried bodies of female cochineal insects, which live on prickly pear cacti. While its use provides a stable red color, its animal origin is a major concern for many consumers.

Products that might contain carmine include:

Red-colored candies
Some yogurts and ice creams (especially strawberry or raspberry flavored)
Fruit-flavored drinks
Certain baked goods and glazes

Due to consumer rejection and allergic potential, some manufacturers are moving towards plant-based alternatives like beetroot extract or lycopene from tomatoes.

Shellac: The Lac Bug's Glaze

If a candy has a high-gloss, smooth finish, there is a good chance it contains shellac. Also listed as confectioner's glaze, resinous glaze, or E904, shellac is a resin secreted by the female lac bug to form a protective cocoon. This secretion is harvested, processed, and used to coat various foods to provide shine and seal in moisture.

Sweets commonly coated with shellac include:

Jelly beans
Certain chocolate-covered nuts or raisins
Some hard candies
Candy corn

This ingredient is not suitable for vegans and many vegetarians, who can instead look for products finished with plant-based coatings or left unglazed.

Dairy and Other Animal Fats

Milk-based products are a common animal derivative in many sweets, particularly chocolates, caramels, and nougats. Ingredients like milk powder, whey, casein, and butterfat are used to create creamy textures and specific flavor profiles.

Common dairy ingredients include:

Milk chocolate, including popular candy bars containing it
Caramels and toffees
Cream-based fillings and nougat

Beyond dairy, some sweets and baked goods may contain other animal-derived ingredients such as L-cysteine (from duck feathers or pig bristles) or beeswax. As with other hidden ingredients, checking the label is crucial.

Comparing Animal-Based vs. Plant-Based Ingredients

To make informed decisions, it helps to know the animal-based ingredients and their common plant-based counterparts.


Ingredient	Animal Source	Common Use in Sweets	Plant-Based Alternative
Gelatin	Collagen from pigs/cows	Gummy candies, marshmallows, jelly beans	Pectin (from fruits), Agar-Agar (from seaweed)
Carmine (E120)	Crushed cochineal insects	Red candies, fruit snacks	Beetroot extract, Lycopene (from tomatoes)
Shellac (E904)	Lac bug secretions	Glossy candy coatings	Plant-based waxes or glazes
Milk/Dairy	Cow's milk	Milk chocolate, caramels, nougat	Plant-based milk (oat, almond, soy), coconut cream
Beeswax (E901)	Honeybees	Candy coatings, sometimes used in gums	Carnauba wax (from palm leaves)

Making Conscious Choices

With a growing demand for ethical and allergen-friendly options, many companies now offer vegan or plant-based versions of classic sweets. The key to navigating the candy aisle is to become a vigilant label reader. While some animal-derived ingredients are clearly listed, others, particularly those acting as minor processing aids, may be masked. A "vegan" or "vegetarian" certification logo is the easiest way to ensure a product is free from all animal ingredients. For specific concerns, such as halal or kosher restrictions, looking for the appropriate certification is essential.

By understanding the ingredients and their origins, consumers can align their treat choices with their dietary and ethical values. The good news is that the availability of delicious, animal-free alternatives is on the rise, making it easier than ever to enjoy sweets responsibly.

Conclusion

In conclusion, many common sweets contain hidden animal products, including gelatin, carmine, and shellac, which are used for texture, color, and shine. Dairy ingredients are also prevalent, especially in chocolate-based confections. For individuals seeking to avoid animal derivatives, reading product labels carefully is critical. The market for vegan and plant-based sweets is expanding, offering excellent alternatives for those with dietary restrictions or ethical preferences. Awareness and label scrutiny are your best tools for making sweet, conscious choices. For more in-depth information, you can refer to resources like the Vegetarian Resource Group.

Frequently Asked Questions

Gelatin is a protein extracted from the collagen in the bones, skin, ligaments, and tendons of animals, most commonly pigs and cows.

Carmine is a red dye made from the crushed bodies of cochineal insects. It's used to give a red or pink color to various foods, including candies, fruit snacks, and some ice creams.

Not all, but many get their shine from confectioner's glaze, which is a shellac resin secreted by lac bugs. Plant-based alternatives are also used, so checking the label is necessary.

Look for ingredients such as milk solids, milk powder, whey, casein, butterfat, and cream, which are derived from cow's milk.

While many unintentionally vegan products exist, it is safest to look for official 'vegan' or 'plant-based' certification logos. Reformulations can occur, and some ingredients, like sugar processed with bone char, may not be considered vegan by all.

Plant-based alternatives to gelatin include agar-agar (from seaweed), pectin (from fruit), and carrageenan (from red seaweed), all of which can be used to create gel-like textures.

No, many red candies now use plant-based colorants like beetroot extract, paprika, or synthetic dyes instead of carmine.

Bone char is a charcoal-like material made from animal bones. It is sometimes used in the refining process of white sugar, though the final sugar product does not contain animal particles. This is a gray area for some vegans.