What candy can vegans eat? A comprehensive guide to cruelty-free confections

October 26, 2025 •

4 min read

Did you know many candies, even those without dairy, contain hidden animal products like gelatin and carmine? Navigating the confectionery aisle can be tricky for those on a plant-based diet, making it crucial to know what candy can vegans eat? This article will provide the knowledge you need to indulge your sweet tooth while staying true to your vegan principles.

Quick Summary

This guide details how to identify accidentally vegan and certified vegan candies. It explains common animal-derived ingredients like gelatin, carmine, and shellac. It also covers the controversial use of bone char in sugar processing and clarifies the ambiguity of 'natural flavors,' offering a list of popular plant-based options.

Key Points

Check Labels Carefully: Read ingredient lists for animal-derived products like gelatin, carmine (E120), shellac, and dairy components.
Be Cautious with Chewy Candies: Many gummies and soft chews rely on gelatin for their texture, so verify the ingredients or seek out gelatin-free brands.
Consider the 'Sugar' Source: Refined white sugar can be processed with bone char, a personal ethical consideration for many vegans. Look for organic or beet sugar for a guaranteed vegan option.
Investigate 'Natural Flavors': Since natural flavors can come from animal or plant sources, certified vegan products are the safest bet for avoiding animal derivatives.
Explore Dedicated Vegan Brands: Brands like YumEarth, Unreal, and Cocomels specialize in plant-based treats, taking the guesswork out of your selection.
Recognize Regional Differences: The vegan status of a candy can vary by country due to different formulations. US and UK versions of the same product, like Sour Patch Kids or Starburst, may have different ingredients.
Choose Ethical Alternatives: Even for vegan items, consider ethical issues like unsustainable palm oil production, which some vegans choose to avoid.

Essential Ingredients to Avoid

To determine what candy can vegans eat, it's vital to recognize the animal-derived ingredients to look out for on a nutrition label. A single ingredient can make an otherwise plant-based product unsuitable for a vegan diet. Common culprits include:

Gelatin: This is one of the most common non-vegan ingredients in chewy and gummy candies. It is a protein derived from boiling the skins, bones, and connective tissues of animals like cows and pigs.
Carmine (Cochineal): Used as a red food coloring, this is produced from crushed-up cochineal beetles. It may also be listed as E120, cochineal extract, or carmine lake.
Confectioner's Glaze (Shellac): This ingredient, used for a shiny coating, is made from the secretions of lac bugs.
Dairy Products: Ingredients like milk, milk fat, whey, casein, and lactose are present in many chocolate and creamy candies.
Beeswax: Used to prevent sticking and add a glossy finish to certain sweets.
Honey: A bee product often used as a natural sweetener.

The Truth About Sugar and "Natural Flavors"

Beyond the obvious animal-based ingredients, some components in candy require a closer look, as their vegan status can be ambiguous.

The Sugar Dilemma

Most refined white sugar in the U.S. comes from sugarcane and may be processed and whitened using bone char, which is made from charred cattle bones. The final product does not contain bone char, but its use makes the sugar non-vegan for many strict vegans. In contrast, beet sugar and organic sugar are consistently vegan, as they are not filtered with bone char. The decision to consume candy with non-organic cane sugar is a personal ethical choice. PETA suggests that if you are uncertain, focusing on the broader impact of a vegan lifestyle is more important than stressing over sugar processing.

Decoding “Natural Flavors”

Labeling laws for "natural flavors" are not always helpful for vegans, as the flavor source isn't required to be disclosed. While many are plant-based, they can also be derived from animal sources, including meat, seafood, eggs, or dairy. For those who want to be certain, seeking products labeled as certified vegan is the most reliable method.

Popular “Accidentally Vegan” Candies

Fortunately, many widely available candies are free of animal products and considered "accidentally vegan." Some favorites include:

Skittles (Most Flavors): After reformulating around 2015 to remove gelatin and carmine, most standard Skittles flavors are now vegan-friendly in the US and UK. Always check the label for new or limited editions, which may differ.
Sour Patch Kids: The US version is generally vegan, using modified cornstarch instead of gelatin. The UK version often contains gelatin, so label-reading is essential depending on location.
Swedish Fish: These chewy red candies are typically made without gelatin and are considered vegan.
Airheads: These taffy-like chews are gelatin-free and a popular vegan choice.
Twizzlers: Standard Twizzlers twists are vegan, as they do not contain gelatin or dairy.
Dots: This chewy, gumdrop-style candy is another gelatin-free option.
Jolly Rancher Hard Candy and Lollipops: These hard candies are vegan, though some Jolly Rancher gummies may not be.

Dedicated Vegan Candy Brands

For those who prefer a guarantee of vegan ingredients and sourcing, several brands specialize in or offer certified vegan products.

YumEarth: Offers a wide range of organic, allergy-friendly sweets like lollipops, fruit snacks, and licorice. Most products are certified vegan.
Cocomels: Specializes in dairy-free, coconut milk-based caramels, providing a delicious vegan alternative to traditional caramels.
Unreal Snacks: Provides vegan versions of classic candies, including dark chocolate coconut bars and peanut butter cups made with fair trade chocolate.
SmartSweets: Focuses on low-sugar gummies and offers many vegan options like Sweet Fish and Sour Blast Buddies, using plant-based alternatives to gelatin.
Katjes: A European brand with many plant-based gummies clearly labeled as vegan.

Comparing Popular Candies: Vegan or Not?


Candy Brand	Vegan Status	Key Ingredients to Check
Starburst (US)	Not Vegan	Contains gelatin. The UK version is vegan.
Starburst (US) Minis	Likely Vegan	Typically gelatin-free, but always check the ingredients as formulations can change.
Starburst (UK)	Vegan	The standard fruit chews are gelatin-free.
Sour Patch Kids (US)	Vegan	Uses modified corn starch instead of gelatin. Some vegans avoid due to sugar and natural flavor concerns.
Sour Patch Kids (UK)	Not Vegan	Contains gelatin.
Skittles (Most Flavors)	Vegan	Gelatin and carmine were removed from most formulations around 2015. Check limited editions.
Twizzlers	Vegan	All twist flavors are vegan, free of gelatin and dairy.
Swedish Fish	Vegan	Made without gelatin.
Jolly Rancher (Hard)	Vegan	The hard candies and lollipops are vegan.
Cocomels Caramels	Vegan	A brand specializing in coconut milk-based caramels.

The Rise of Certified Vegan Candy

As the demand for plant-based options grows, more brands are creating candies explicitly labeled as vegan. These products offer clear peace of mind, eliminating the need to decode ambiguous ingredients or contact manufacturers. From organic fruit snacks to chocolate bars, the options continue to expand, offering ethical and delicious choices for every type of sweet tooth. The best strategy is to look for the certified vegan logo or check for brands known for their commitment to plant-based products, such as YumEarth or Unreal Snacks.

Conclusion

While many traditional candies rely on animal-derived ingredients, the vegan candy landscape is flourishing with delicious and ethical alternatives. The key is to become an informed shopper, carefully reading ingredient labels to spot hidden animal products like gelatin and carmine. Whether you opt for an accidentally vegan classic like Skittles or choose a dedicated vegan brand like Cocomels, there's a world of cruelty-free confections waiting to be explored. Staying mindful of ambiguous ingredients like certain sugars and "natural flavors" ensures your choices align with your vegan values.

Where to Find More Information

For more specific questions and up-to-date lists of accidentally vegan products, consult reputable resources like VeganFriendly.org.uk or PETA.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, many fruit-flavored candies are not vegan. Some of the most common culprits are chewy or gummy candies that contain gelatin, which is derived from animal parts. Other animal-derived ingredients like carmine (red dye) and confectioner's glaze are also found in some fruity sweets.

Yes, in most regions, standard Skittles flavors are now considered vegan. The manufacturer removed gelatin and carmine (a red dye made from insects) from the formula around 2015. However, always check the label for newer, limited-edition flavors, as they might have different ingredients.

It depends on the country. The US version of Sour Patch Kids is generally vegan, as it uses modified cornstarch for its chewiness instead of gelatin. However, the UK version often contains gelatin and is not vegan. It's best to check the ingredients list based on your location.

Some refined white sugar is processed using bone char, a filter made from charred cattle bones, to achieve a stark white color. While the bone char is filtered out and not in the final product, its use makes the sugar non-vegan for some. Alternatives like beet sugar and organic sugar do not use this process.

The term "natural flavors" is ambiguous and can be sourced from either plants or animals. Unless a product is certified vegan, there's no guarantee the flavors are plant-derived. If you want to be completely certain, it is safer to stick to products that are explicitly labeled vegan or contact the manufacturer.

Confectioner's glaze, also known as shellac, is a shiny coating used on many candies. It is made from the secretions of the female Indian lac bug, which is not considered vegan.

No, not all gummies contain gelatin. Many vegan gummy brands use plant-based alternatives like pectin, agar-agar, or tapioca starch to achieve a chewy texture. Brands like YumEarth, Annie's, and Katjes offer gelatin-free gummies.