What Candy Has Bugs In It? Decoding Hidden Ingredients

October 12, 2025 •

3 min read

It takes nearly 100,000 lac bugs to produce just one pound of the shellac flakes used for some confectioner's glaze. When considering what candy has bugs in it, it's not a matter of whole insects, but rather the surprising use of insect-derived products for color and shine.

Quick Summary

Many popular candies use insect byproducts like shellac for gloss or carmine for red coloring, which are derived from lac bugs and cochineal beetles, respectively. Consumers can identify these ingredients by reading product labels carefully.

Key Points

Carmine is a red dye: Made from crushed cochineal insects, it gives some candies their pink or red color and must be clearly labeled.
Shellac creates a glossy coat: Known as confectioner's glaze, this resinous secretion from lac bugs provides a shiny, protective finish to many coated candies.
Check labels for specific names: To avoid insect products, look for carmine, cochineal extract, confectioner's glaze, and resinous glaze.
Many brands offer vegan alternatives: Due to consumer demand, a growing number of candy manufacturers are replacing insect-derived ingredients with plant-based alternatives.
Gelatin is not insect-based: Although gelatin is an animal byproduct found in many gummy candies, it is derived from animal bones and skin, not insects.
Some foods contain insect fragments: The FDA allows a small, unavoidable amount of insect fragments in food, which is different from intentional insect-derived additives.

Uncovering Insect-Derived Ingredients in Candy

The notion of bugs in our candy is unsettling for many, especially vegetarians, vegans, or those with ethical or religious dietary restrictions. However, the presence of these ingredients is often subtle, listed under less obvious names on the ingredients list. Understanding these terms is the first step in making an informed choice about your confectionery.

The Sticky Truth About Confectioner's Glaze

One of the most common insect-derived ingredients is shellac, often disguised as "confectioner's glaze" or "resinous glaze". This glossy, edible coating is used on many hard-shelled and coated candies to give them a shiny finish and help preserve them. Shellac is a natural resin secreted by the female lac bug, a small insect native to the forests of India and Thailand. The resin is scraped from tree branches, processed, and then dissolved in alcohol to create a liquid glaze. While some brands have switched to vegan alternatives, historically, this glaze was used on a variety of popular sweets. Examples include:

Junior Mints
Lemonheads
Some jelly beans
Boston Baked Beans

It is important to note that many companies have changed their formulas over time. For instance, Skittles famously removed both shellac and carmine from their UK products, and in recent years, their US version has become largely vegan. The key is to always check the most current ingredients list on the packaging.

Carmine: The Crushed Beetle Behind Red Coloring

Another significant insect-based ingredient is carmine, a vibrant red dye extracted from the crushed bodies of cochineal insects. These tiny scale insects are harvested from cacti in Central and South America. Carmine, sometimes listed as "cochineal extract" or "Natural Red 4," is used in a wide range of red, pink, and purple foods, not just candy. Due to potential allergic reactions, the FDA now requires this ingredient to be explicitly named on labels as either "carmine" or "cochineal extract". Examples of products that may use or have used carmine include:

Some red-colored yogurt and juices
Red velvet cake mix
Certain brands of gummy clusters
Some ice creams

Since labeling rules changed, many manufacturers have also found alternative, non-insect colorings, but the ingredient is still prevalent in many products.

Navigating Ingredient Lists

Knowing the alternative names for insect-derived ingredients is crucial for anyone looking to avoid them. Here is a handy reference list to keep in mind while shopping:

For Lac Bug Secretion: Look for confectioner's glaze, resinous glaze, shellac, or pure food glaze.
For Cochineal Beetles: Look for carmine, cochineal extract, or Natural Red 4.

Reading the fine print is the most reliable way to ensure a candy aligns with your dietary preferences, as brand recipes and regional formulations can differ.

Comparison of Bug-Based Candy Additives


Feature	Carmine (Cochineal Extract)	Shellac (Confectioner's Glaze)
Source	Cochineal scale insects	Secretions from lac bugs
Function	Red, pink, or purple food coloring	Glossy protective coating
Look for	"Carmine," "Cochineal Extract," "Natural Red 4"	"Confectioner's Glaze," "Resinous Glaze," "Shellac"
Common Candies	Historically in Skittles, some gummies	Junior Mints, Lemonheads, some jelly beans
Status	Required to be explicitly labeled	Typically labeled under its more common name

Conclusion: Making Informed Choices

While the practice of using insect byproducts for food may seem unusual, it has been part of food production for centuries. The use of shellac provides a durable, shiny coat, and carmine offers a stable, vibrant red color, functions that can be difficult to replicate with entirely plant-based ingredients. However, as consumer demand for transparency and vegan options grows, more companies are moving towards alternative ingredients. Shoppers who want to ensure their candy is bug-free should make a habit of checking the ingredient list for terms like "carmine" and "confectioner's glaze." In the end, what you choose to eat is a personal decision, and being informed allows you to make the choice that is right for you. You can find out more about the ethical and scientific considerations of food additives by checking reputable sources like the Center for Science in the Public Interest.

Frequently Asked Questions

Confectioner's glaze is another name for shellac, a glossy, natural resin made from the secretions of the female lac bug.

Current Skittles recipes in many regions do not contain insect-derived ingredients; however, older formulations and some international versions previously used carmine and shellac.

The FDA mandates that carmine be clearly listed as either "carmine" or "cochineal extract," a rule in effect since 2011.

No, additives like carmine and shellac are used for color and texture, not for flavor. They do not impart a buggy taste to the candy.

Yes, many vegan-friendly alternatives are available. For example, some companies use corn-based glazes instead of shellac, and plant-based dyes instead of carmine.

Yes, both carmine and shellac are FDA-approved food additives deemed safe for consumption, though some individuals may have allergic reactions to carmine.

Gelatin is sourced from animal bones and skin, not insects, so it's a separate animal-derived ingredient often found in gummy candies. Many vegan gummies use plant-based alternatives.