Is Snickers Vegan and Cruelty Free? (April, 2024 Update)

Vegans out there might hope there’s a chance that Snickers candy bars are vegan. You never know, right?

Mars, Inc., the food brand that makes Snickers bars, just like many other food brands, has a variety of products, and each variant can have different ingredients that often differ from country to country. Non-vegan ingredients are also often sneaked into the product by using vague terms such as “natural or artificial flavors.”

To make sure you only eat foods that align with your vegan lifestyle and ethical values, I’ve investigated the ingredients and production methods of Snickers bars, and here’s what I’ve found.

Is Snickers Vegan?

Unfortunately, the Snickers candy bar contains several animal-based ingredients, such as milk and eggs. The caramel layer alone contains milk, sugar, butter, and eggs.

So, if you’re looking for a vegan Snickers bar, I’m afraid you’ll be left disappointed. However, there are plenty of other delicious vegan chocolate bars for you to enjoy instead!

Is Snickers Cruelty Free?

Yes. Snickers bars are cruelty free. This candy bar does not contain any products or ingredients that have been tested on animals at any stage of production.

Mars, Inc. has also been using sustainable palm oil since 2015. This means that the palm oil they use is certified by the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil and engages in sustainable harvesting practices.

So, while Snickers bars aren’t vegan, they are cruelty free.

What Are Snickers Bars Made Of?

Here are the ingredients of Snickers chocolate candy bar:

Milk chocolate (sugar, cocoa butter, chocolate, skim milk, lactose, milkfat, soy lecithin)
Peanuts
Corn syrup
Sugar
Palm oil
Skim milk
Lactose
Salt
Butter
Egg whites
Artificial flavor

Let’s break down each ingredient of Snickers bars:

Milk chocolate

Milk chocolate is made with sugar, cocoa butter, chocolate, and milk. It also often contains soy lecithin, which is a common emulsifier. This ingredient alone makes Snickers bars non-vegan.

Peanuts

Peanuts are a type of legume that grows underground. They’re a common allergen, but are often found in candy bars and other desserts. Peanuts are vegan friendly.

Corn syrup

Corn syrup is a type of sugar that’s made from cornstarch. It’s a common ingredient in candy and other desserts. Corn syrup is a vegan-friendly ingredient.

Sugar

Sugar is a common ingredient in candy and other sweets. Refined sugar is often processed with animal bone char to make it white. Not all sugar types are filtered with bone char, but large companies often source their sugars from several different suppliers, so it’s difficult to tell if the sugar in Snickers is vegan or not, and Mars, Inc. has yet to get back to me about whether they use bone char-processed sugar.

Palm oil

Palm oil is a type of vegetable oil made from the fruit of palm trees. It’s a common ingredient in candy and other products. Palm oil is a vegan-friendly ingredient. However, the production of palm oil has been linked to rainforest destruction and animal habitat loss, which is why some vegans avoid it.

Skim milk

Skim milk is a type of milk that has had the cream removed. It’s a common ingredient in candy and other desserts. Skim milk is derived from cows and is, therefore, non-vegan.

Lactose

Lactose is a type of sugar that’s found in milk. It’s a common ingredient in candy and other desserts. Lactose is derived from animals.

Salt

Salt is a type of mineral that’s used to add flavor or as a preservative. It’s a common ingredient in many foods. Salt is vegan.

Butter

Butter is a type of fat that’s made from milk. It’s a common ingredient in candy and other desserts. Butter is derived from animals.

Egg

Eggs, of course, come from chickens, making them non-vegan.

Artificial flavor

Artificial flavor is a type of flavoring that’s made in a laboratory. It’s a common ingredient in candy and other products. Artificial flavor is usually considered vegan friendly.

Why Isn’t Snickers Vegan?

Many people’s favorite candy bar, Snickers, is, unfortunately, not vegan. Snickers contain a bunch of ingredients that vegans avoid, such as milk, butter, and eggs.

In addition to those non-vegan ingredients, Snickers also contains a few controversial ingredients, such as palm oil, natural and artificial flavors, and sugar, which some vegans choose to avoid.

So, if you’re looking for vegan-friendly candy bars, Snickers bars aren’t really the right choice. However, there are plenty of other delicious vegan chocolate candy bars out there for you to enjoy instead!