Unexpectedly Vegan: Mainstream Brands You Can Enjoy
Many popular candies are 'accidentally vegan' because their recipes naturally exclude animal products. While always a good practice to double-check ingredients, especially for limited-time flavors, these mainstream options are widely considered safe for vegans.
Accidentally Vegan Classics:
- Skittles: Famous for their vibrant colors and fruity flavors, most Skittles varieties are vegan-friendly, with the brand having removed gelatin and carmine in many regions.
- Sour Patch Kids: These chewy, sour, and sweet candies are free from animal-derived ingredients.
- Swedish Fish: The iconic chewy red fish are made without gelatin. However, some variants may contain beeswax, so checking the label is advised.
- Smarties (U.S. Version): The colorful, compressed-dextrose tablets are a classic vegan choice.
- Airheads: These chewy, tangy candies are free of animal products.
- Twizzlers: This licorice-style candy is a safe bet for a vegan treat.
- Dots: These chewy gumdrops are gelatin-free.
- Jolly Rancher Hard Candies: The hard candy and lollipop versions are typically vegan, though some newer chewy products may contain gelatin.
- Atomic Fireballs: These hot cinnamon hard candies contain no animal ingredients.
- Brach's Hard Candies: Many of Brach's hard candies, such as Cinnamon Hard Candy and Root Beer Barrels, are vegan.
Dedicated Vegan Brands and Products
For those who prefer to support exclusively vegan companies or want a wider variety of specialized vegan candy, many brands offer 100% plant-based products.
Certified Vegan Brands:
- Go Max Go Foods: This company specializes in recreating popular candy bars in a 100% vegan format, including versions of Snickers and Milky Way.
- Cocomels: Known for their delicious, creamy coconut milk caramels.
- No Whey! Foods: Offers a wide range of chocolate-based treats, all free from dairy, peanuts, tree nuts, and gluten.
- Enjoy Life Foods: Provides numerous allergen-friendly chocolate candies, including snack bars and seasonal treats.
- YumEarth: This brand produces a variety of vegan-friendly organic candies, such as lollipops and fruit chews.
- SmartSweets: Known for their low-sugar options, many of their products like Sourmelon Bites and Fruity Gummy Bears are plant-based.
A Guide to Reading Candy Labels for Hidden Ingredients
Not all candy that appears vegan is, so knowing what ingredients to look for is crucial. Animal-derived components can appear in surprising forms, from gelling agents to colorings.
Common Non-Vegan Ingredients to Avoid:
- Gelatin: A gelling agent made from animal collagen, it is a primary ingredient in most traditional gummy candies and marshmallows.
- Beeswax (E901): Used as a glaze to give candies a shiny finish and prevent sticking.
- Confectioner's Glaze (E904 or Shellac): Made from the resin secreted by the female lac bug.
- Carmine (E120): A red food coloring derived from crushed cochineal beetles.
- Dairy Products: Includes milk, casein, whey, and milk fat, which are common in chocolates and creamy candies.
- Honey: Sweetener produced by bees and thus not vegan.
- Albumen: Egg white, sometimes used in nougat or other fluffy candies.
Comparing Vegan vs. Traditional Candy
| Feature | Traditional Gummy Candy | Vegan Gummy Candy | Traditional Chocolate Bar | Vegan Chocolate Bar |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gelling Agent | Gelatin (animal-derived) | Pectin, Agar-Agar, Carrageenan (plant-based) | - | - |
| Glazing | Beeswax, Confectioner's Glaze | Carnauba wax (plant-based) | Shellac (E904) | Carnauba wax (plant-based) |
| Red Coloring | Carmine (E120) | Fruit and vegetable juices | Carmine (E120) | Fruit and vegetable juices |
| Creaminess | Milk, milk solids, whey, casein | Coconut milk, rice milk, oat milk | Milk, milk solids, whey, casein | Coconut milk, rice milk, oat milk |
| Ethical Source | Contains animal by-products | Contains no animal ingredients | Contains animal by-products | Contains no animal ingredients |
Conclusion
With a little knowledge of what to look for on ingredient labels, finding what candies are 100% vegan is simpler than ever. The vegan candy market is robust, offering everything from classic accidentally vegan favorites to gourmet plant-based creations. Whether you're navigating a grocery store or a specialty shop, you can satisfy your sweet tooth without compromising your values. As consumer demand for plant-based options grows, more companies are reformulating their products, making it increasingly easy to find delicious, animal-free treats for all occasions. For a more comprehensive list of accidentally vegan products, you can explore resources like the PETA website.
