Navigating Candy Ingredients: What to Avoid and Embrace
For vegans, enjoying a sweet treat requires a careful eye on ingredient labels. Many common candy ingredients are derived from animal sources, making them off-limits. Knowing what to watch for is the first step toward confident candy shopping.
Common non-vegan candy ingredients to avoid
- Gelatin (E441): Derived from the boiled bones, tendons, and ligaments of animals, gelatin is a primary ingredient used to give chewy candies like gummies and marshmallows their texture.
- Confectioner's Glaze (E904 or Shellac): This shiny, hard coating is made from the resin secreted by the female lac insect.
- Carmine (E120 or Cochineal): This red pigment is made from crushed female cochineal insects.
- Dairy: Milk, whey, casein, and butter are common in chocolates, caramels, and creamy candies. These are animal-derived and should be avoided.
- Honey: Produced by bees, honey is not considered vegan.
- Bone Char Sugar: While some brands use bone char to process and whiten their sugar, it is important to note that many vegan brands use alternative filtration methods. For strictest vegans, certified organic sugar is a safe bet, as it never involves bone char.
Plant-based substitutes
To create vegan-friendly versions of classic candies, manufacturers use plant-based alternatives:
- Agar-Agar or Pectin: These plant-based gelling agents are derived from seaweed and fruits, respectively, and are used as vegan substitutes for gelatin.
- Plant-Based Milk: Coconut, oat, and rice milks are used to create creamy, dairy-free chocolate and caramel.
- Natural Food Colorings: Brands use natural plant-based pigments to achieve vibrant colors without relying on carmine.
Accidentally vegan candies: mainstream options
Many popular, readily available candy brands are surprisingly vegan. These are often called "accidentally vegan" because they weren't originally marketed toward a plant-based audience, but their ingredients happen to be animal-free. It's always best to double-check labels, as formulations can change.
A list of accidentally vegan candies
- Sour Patch Kids: These chewy, sour sweets do not contain gelatin.
- Skittles: The classic chewy Skittles are free from animal products.
- Airheads: This chewy taffy-like candy is typically vegan.
- Twizzlers: Most Twizzlers flavors are vegan-friendly.
- Dots: This chewy gumdrop is a classic vegan option.
- Smarties (U.S. version): These classic hard candies are vegan. Note: The European version is not vegan due to dairy in its formula.
- Jolly Rancher Hard Candies: The hard candy version is generally vegan, but check labels on gummies and chews.
- Swedish Fish: The classic red version is vegan, though some varieties may contain beeswax, so check the label.
Dedicated vegan brands
For those who want to be 100% sure their candy is vegan or are seeking higher-quality, specialty items, many brands focus exclusively on plant-based products. These are often available at specialty grocery stores or online.
Top vegan candy brands
- YumEarth: Specializes in organic, allergy-friendly sweets, including lollipops, fruit snacks, and gummy bears.
- No Whey! Foods: Offers a wide range of chocolate products, from candy bars to seasonal treats, all free of the top allergens.
- Cocomels: Known for its creamy caramels made with coconut milk, offering a rich, dairy-free indulgence.
- Unreal Snacks: Provides vegan versions of classic candy bars, such as dark chocolate peanut butter cups and coconut bars.
- Dandies: Creates vegan marshmallows, perfect for s'mores or hot cocoa.
Comparison of vegan candy types
| Candy Type | Common Vegan Ingredients | Examples of Brands/Products | Caveats & Considerations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gummies | Pectin, agar-agar, sugar, natural flavorings | Sour Patch Kids, YumEarth Gummies, Surf Sweets | Most conventional gummies contain gelatin. Always check for certified vegan labels or ingredients. |
| Chewy Taffy | Corn syrup, sugar, plant-based emulsifiers | Airheads, Twizzlers, Laffy Taffy | Generally safer than gummies, but always check for unexpected dairy ingredients in certain flavors. |
| Hard Candy | Sugar, corn syrup, plant-based flavorings | Jolly Rancher (hard), Smarties (US), Dum Dums | One of the most reliably vegan categories, but double-check any glossy coatings for shellac. |
| Chocolate | Cacao, cocoa butter, plant-based milk (oat, soy), sugar | Unreal Snacks, Enjoy Life, Hershey's Plant Based | Milk chocolate traditionally contains dairy. Opt for dark chocolate or specialized plant-based versions. |
| Caramels | Coconut cream, sugar, plant-based butter | Cocomels, Go Max Go | Most traditional caramels contain dairy butter and cream. Vegan caramels use plant-based fats and milks. |
Tips for finding vegan candy
- Look for certification logos: The easiest way to confirm a product is vegan is to find a certified vegan logo on the packaging.
- Read the ingredient list: Scan the ingredient list for key animal-derived ingredients like gelatin, casein, whey, and beeswax. Ingredients are typically listed in descending order of quantity.
- Check brand websites: If you're unsure about a product's vegan status, visiting the company's official website can often provide clarity, especially regarding sourcing of ambiguous ingredients like sugar or flavorings.
- Beware of cross-contamination: While some products may not have animal ingredients, they might be processed on shared equipment with non-vegan products. If this is a concern, seek out certified vegan or allergy-friendly brands.
- Explore online vegan retailers: Websites specializing in vegan food often carry a broader selection of specialty and artisanal vegan candies that are not available in traditional stores.
Conclusion: sweet success on a vegan diet
With a little bit of knowledge and a quick scan of the label, finding delicious and exciting vegan-friendly candy is easier than ever. From mainstream favorites to dedicated plant-based brands, the options are plentiful for anyone following a vegan diet. By understanding which ingredients to avoid and which brands to trust, you can satisfy your sweet tooth without compromising your ethical choices. Enjoying candy as a vegan doesn't mean giving up on flavor or fun; it simply means becoming a more informed and conscious consumer. Armed with this guide, you can confidently explore the world of cruelty-free confections.
