What are the most common non-vegan ingredients in candy?
Many animal products used in candy manufacturing are not always obvious. While milk in milk chocolate is a clear indicator, other ingredients like gelatin, shellac, and carmine can be hidden in the ingredients list and often go unnoticed by those new to veganism. To confidently identify vegan and non-vegan options, it's crucial to understand these key components.
Gelatin: The chewy culprit
Gelatin is one of the most common and widely recognized non-vegan ingredients in candy. Derived from animal collagen—which comes from the skin, bones, and connective tissues of cows and pigs—it is responsible for the chewy, gummy texture of many popular confections. If a candy is chewy, bouncy, or has a jelly-like consistency, there's a good chance it contains gelatin.
- Where it's found: Gummy bears, gummy worms, marshmallows, jelly beans, and some fruit snacks.
- How to identify: Look for "gelatin" or "gelatine" on the ingredient list.
- Vegan alternatives: Many brands now use plant-based gelling agents like agar-agar (derived from seaweed) or pectin (from fruits).
Shellac and confectioner's glaze: The glossy coating
The shiny, hard coating found on many hard candies is often not vegan. Confectioner's glaze, also known as resinous glaze, is typically made from shellac, a resin secreted by the female lac bug. A single pound of shellac can require the collection of resin from thousands of insects, making it a non-vegan ingredient.
- Where it's found: Jelly beans, M&M's, Junior Mints, Milk Duds, and some sprinkle toppings.
- How to identify: Check the label for "confectioner's glaze," "shellac," or the code E904.
- Vegan alternatives: Plant-based options often use glazes derived from corn protein or carnauba wax.
Carmine and cochineal: The red dye from insects
That vibrant red or pink color in some candies can come from an insect source. Carmine, also known as cochineal extract or E120, is a red dye made from crushed cochineal beetles. This ingredient is not always obvious and can be found in red, pink, or purple varieties of many candies.
- Where it's found: Red gummy candies, colored hard candies, and some red fruit-flavored snacks.
- How to identify: Look for "carmine," "cochineal extract," "Natural Red 4," or "E120" on the label.
- Vegan alternatives: Many manufacturers use plant-based food colorings derived from beets, carrots, or other vegetables.
Dairy and milk derivatives: Beyond milk chocolate
While most people know that milk chocolate isn't vegan, some dairy ingredients are less obvious and can hide in various candy types. Dairy derivatives are used to add creaminess, texture, and flavor to a wide range of confectionery products.
- Where it's found: Milk chocolate, caramel, toffee, milk duds, and candies containing milk powders.
- How to identify: Look for ingredients like milk, milkfat, casein, whey, and lactose.
- Vegan alternatives: A growing number of brands offer dairy-free chocolate and caramels made with plant-based milks like coconut, oat, or soy.
Honey and beeswax: Bee products
Products from bees, including honey and beeswax, are not considered vegan. Honey is a sweetener often used in natural or artisanal candies, while beeswax is used as a glaze or coating to prevent candies from sticking together.
- Where it's found: Some natural hard candies, lozenges, and chewy treats.
- How to identify: The ingredients "honey" or "beeswax" (E901) will be clearly listed.
- Vegan alternatives: Plant-based alternatives include maple syrup, agave nectar, and carnauba wax.
Comparison of vegan vs. non-vegan candies
To better illustrate the differences, here is a comparison of some common non-vegan candies and their typical vegan counterparts or alternatives.
| Candy Type | Common Non-Vegan Example | Key Non-Vegan Ingredients | Vegan Alternative | Key Vegan Ingredients |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gummies | Haribo Gummy Bears | Gelatin (pork or beef) | Surf Sweets Gummy Bears | Pectin, organic fruit juice |
| Marshmallows | Kraft Jet-Puffed Marshmallows | Gelatin | Dandies Vegan Marshmallows | Tapioca syrup, carrageenan |
| Chocolate Candies | M&M's | Milkfat, skim milk, lactose | Unreal Dark Chocolate Crispy Quinoa | Organic dark chocolate, tapioca syrup |
| Hard Candies | Altoids | Gelatin | Jolly Rancher Hard Candy | Sugar, corn syrup (check for bone char) |
| Candy Bars | Snickers | Milk chocolate (milk, lactose) | Go Max Go Vegan Candy Bars | Cane sugar, cocoa butter, plant-based fats |
| Jelly Beans | Jelly Belly Jelly Beans | Confectioner's glaze, beeswax | Jelly Belly Gelatin-Free Jelly Beans | Sugar, tapioca dextrose, plant-based wax |
How to read labels effectively for a vegan diet
Becoming a savvy label-reader is a critical skill for any vegan. Don't be fooled by front-of-package claims like "natural flavors" or "dairy-free," as they don't guarantee a product is fully vegan. A thorough scan of the entire ingredients list is the only way to be certain.
Here are some key steps for checking candy labels:
- Scan for obvious animal products: Quickly check for words like milk, eggs, honey, and butter. This will eliminate most dairy-based chocolates and caramels immediately.
- Look for hidden animal ingredients: Dig deeper for less common names, such as whey, casein (both milk proteins), lactose, gelatin, and carmine.
- Investigate insect-derived additives: Search for "confectioner's glaze," "shellac," and "carmine" or "cochineal extract".
- Be mindful of sugar: Some white sugar is processed with bone char, a form of animal charcoal. This is a gray area for many vegans, but it's important to be aware. Seek out candies with organic cane sugar, which is not typically processed with bone char.
- Check for cross-contamination warnings: Statements like "may contain milk" are not vegan, as they indicate cross-contamination risks during manufacturing.
The growing market for vegan candy
As the demand for plant-based foods increases, so does the availability of vegan candy options. Many companies, both large and small, are creating delicious vegan versions of classic treats, often using innovative plant-based ingredients to mimic the textures and flavors of traditional candy.
- Plant-based gel alternatives: Instead of animal-based gelatin, many brands now use plant-derived gelling agents like pectin (from fruits), agar-agar (from seaweed), and tapioca starch.
- Dairy-free creamy treats: Vegan caramels and creamy chocolates use alternatives like coconut milk, oat milk, or cashew milk to achieve their smooth texture.
- Cruelty-free coatings and colors: Plant-based waxes, like carnauba wax, and vegetable-derived colorings are replacing insect-based shellac and carmine.
Conclusion
Understanding what candy is not vegan friendly is a key skill for maintaining a vegan diet. By paying close attention to labels and identifying ingredients like gelatin, confectioner's glaze (shellac), and carmine, you can confidently navigate the candy aisle and make informed, ethical choices. With the growing number of delicious vegan alternatives on the market, you can still enjoy a wide variety of sweet treats without compromising your values. As a final piece of advice, always double-check the ingredient list, as formulations can change over time. The best approach is to seek out products explicitly labeled as vegan, or stick to brands you know and trust.
For more in-depth nutritional information on specific ingredients, consult resources like the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) on additives like carmine: https://www.cspi.org/chemical-cuisine/carminecochineal.
