Figuring out whether Airheads Bites are vegan can be a complicated task.
Airheads Bites is a brand of Perfetti Van Melle, a large candy company that also owns products such as Mentos and Chupa Chups. They have access to many ingredients that may or may not be vegan.
To make sure you only eat foods that align with your vegan diet, I’ve looked into the ingredients and production methods of Airheads Bites.
Here’s what I’ve found.
Are Airheads Bites Vegan?
Sadly, these tangy, chewy bites are not suitable for vegans. Airheads Bites contain beeswax. This substance is used as a glazing agent and gives the candy its shiny appearance.
Beeswax is made by bees to build their honeycombs. Beeswax is used in many products, including candles, cosmetics, and chewing gum.
In addition to beeswax, Airheads Bites also contain shellac. This ingredient is used to make the candy coating shine. Shellac is a resin that comes from the lac bug. This bug secretes a sticky substance that hardens when it comes into contact with air. As it is an animal product, shellac is not vegan.
Airheads also contain refined sugar, which may or may not have been filtered with animal bone char. Animal bone char is made from the bones of cows, pigs, and horses. The bones are heated at high temperatures until they turn into charcoal. This charcoal is then used to remove impurities from the sugar.
Not all sugar is filtered with bone char, however. Airheads bites are made by a large food brand that sources their sugar from multiple sources, though, so it is difficult to say for certain whether the sugar used in Airheads is vegan.
Are Airhead Bites Cruelty-Free?
The company that makes Airheads does not test the product on animals. However, Airheads bites do contain artificial colors that are tested on animals, as required by the FDA. These artificial colors are Red 40, Yellow 6, Blue 1, and Yellow 5.
Are Any Airheads Vegan?
Airheads, the candy brand in general, is not vegan. Most candies in their lineup have refined sugar that may or may not have been filtered with animal bone char. Some, like Airheads Bites, may also contain gelatin, beeswax, shellac, and other animal-based ingredients.
What Are Airheads Bites Made Of?
Here are the ingredients of Airheads Bites:
- Sugar
- Glucose syrup
- Maltodextrin
- Dextrose
- Hydrogenated coconut oil
- Citric acid
- Modified cornstarch
- Food starch modified potato
- Sorbitol
- Artificial flavors
- Glycerine
- Rice starch
- Carnauba wax
- Beeswax
- Shellac
- Gellan gum
- Sucrose esters of fatty acids
- Colors (Red 40, Yellow 6, Blue 1, Yellow 5)
Let’s break down each ingredient of Airheads Bites:
Sugar
Sugar is a carbohydrate made from sucrose. Sugar comes from sugar cane and sugar beets. It’s also found in smaller amounts in fruits and vegetables.
It is unsure if the sugar in Airheads Bites is vegan because refined sugar can be processed using bone char. “Unrefined,” “raw,” or “organic” sugar are always vegan.
Glucose syrup
Glucose syrup is a type of liquid sugar made from glucose. Glucose is a simple sugar found in fruits and vegetables. Glucose syrup is often used as a sweetener or thickening agent in food. Glucose syrup is usually made from corn.
Maltodextrin
Maltodextrin is a carbohydrate made from maltose. Maltose is a sugar found in grains such as barley and wheat. Maltodextrin is usually made from plant-based sources.
Dextrose
Dextrose is a sugar made from glucose. Glucose is a simple sugar found in fruits and vegetables. Dextrose is often used as a sweetener or thickening agent in food. Dextrose is usually made from corn.
Hydrogenated coconut oil
Coconut oil is a type of fat extracted from the flesh of coconuts. Hydrogenated coconut oil is coconut oil that’s been treated with hydrogen gas. This process makes the coconut oil solid at room temperature. Hydrogenated coconut oil is made from plant-based sources.
Citric acid
Citric acid is a type of citrus acid found in lemons and other fruits. Citric acid is often used as a preservative or flavoring agent in food. Citric acid is vegan.
Modified cornstarch
Modified corn starch is a type of cornstarch that’s been treated with chemicals. This process makes the cornstarch more resistant to heat and moisture. The ingredient is made from plant-based sources.
Modified potato starch
Potato starch is a type of starch made from potatoes. Modified potato starch is potato starch that’s been treated with chemicals. This process makes the potato starch more resistant to heat and acid. This modified food starch is vegan.
Sorbitol
Sorbitol is a type of sugar alcohol that’s made from glucose. Sugar alcohols are a type of carbohydrate found in plants. Sorbitol is often used as a sweetener or thickening agent in food. Sorbitol is made from plant-based sources.
Artificial flavors
Artificial flavors are chemicals that are used to mimic the taste of natural flavors. Artificial flavors are often used in food to enhance flavor. Artificial flavors these days are made with synthetic ingredients, making them vegan.
Glycerine
Glycerine is a fatty alcohol made from glycerol, found in fats and oils. Glycerine is often used as a sweetener or thickening agent in food. Glycerine is usually made from plant-based sources.
Rice starch
Rice starch is a type of starch made from rice. Rice starch is often used as a thickening agent in food. Rice starch is not made with any animal-based ingredients.
Carnauba wax
Carnauba wax is a type of wax made from the leaves of the carnauba palm tree. Carnauba wax is often used as a coating or polish in food. Carnauba wax is usually made from plant-based sources.
Beeswax
Beeswax is a natural product made by bees to build their hives. It is secreted from the bee’s abdomen and used to make a honeycomb. Beeswax is not vegan because it is an animal product.
Shellac
Shellac is a resin that’s made from the secretions of the lac bug. Shellac is often used as a coating or polish in food. Shellac is an animal product.
Gellan gum
Gellan gum is a type of food additive that’s made from bacteria, which is neither plant nor animal. Gellan gum is often used as a thickening agent in food. Gellan gum is not made with any animal-based ingredients.
Sucrose esters of fatty acids
Sucrose esters of fatty acids are a type of emulsifier made from sucrose and fatty acids. Sucrose esters of fatty acids are usually made from plant-based sources.
Red 40, Yellow 6, Blue 1, and, Yellow 5
Red 40, Yellow 6, Blue 1, and Yellow 5 are artificial colors made from synthetic dyes. These artificial colors are considered vegan because they don’t use any animal-based ingredients in their processing.
Why Aren’t Airheads Bites Vegan?
Airheads Bites are not vegan because they contain beeswax, shellac, and refined sugar that is not vegan.
Beeswax is a natural product made by bees to build their hives. It is secreted from the bee’s abdomen and used to make a honeycomb. Shellac is a resin that’s made from the secretions of the lac bug.
Refined sugar is plant based, but may go through a process that uses animal bone char. This is a deal-breaker for many vegans.
Are Airheads Candy Bars Vegan?
No. Airheads Bars may not contain beeswax and shellac but they do contain refined sugar that is not vegan.
It is not safe for vegan consumption.
Are Airheads Soft-Filled Bites Vegan?
No. Airheads Soft Filled Bites contain gelatin. Gelatin is a protein made from the skin, bones, and connective tissues of animals. Gelatin is clearly a non-vegan ingredient and should be avoided by anyone following a vegan lifestyle.
Are Airheads Gummies Vegan?
No. Airheads Gummies contain gelatin. Gelatin is a protein made from the skin, bones, and connective tissues of animals. Gelatin is a non-vegan ingredient.
Airheads Gummies also contain beeswax, which is a natural product made by bees to build their hives. Beeswax is an animal product and should be avoided by vegans.
Is Airheads Gum Vegan?
No. Airheads Gum contains carmines. Carmine is a red food coloring that’s made from the crushed shells of cochineal beetles. Carmine is not vegan because it comes from an animal source.
It is not safe for vegan consumption.
Are Airheads Xtremes Candy Belts Vegan?
No. Airheads Xtremes Candy Belts contain refined sugar. It is not safe for vegan consumption.
Are Airheads Xtremes Bites Vegan?
No. Airheads Xtremes Bites contain gelatin. Gelatin is a protein made from the skin, bones, and connective tissues of animals. Gelatin is clearly a non-vegan ingredient and should be avoided by anyone following a vegan lifestyle.
Are Airheads Xtremes Sourfuls Vegan?
No. Airheads Sourfuls = contain gelatin. Gelatin is a protein that’s made from the skin, bones, and connective tissues of animals. Gelatin is clearly a non-vegan ingredient and should be avoided by anyone following a vegan lifestyle.
Vegan Alternatives to Airheads Bites
If you’re a big fan of Airheads but you’re sticking to a vegan diet, don’t worry. There are plenty of candy brands that offer vegan options these days.
- Dots Candy
- Orileys Vegan Jujubes Gummy Candy Assorted Fruit Flavour Sour Candy
- Smarties Candy Roll
- SweeTarts Original Candy
- Bottle Caps Candy
Final Words
Airhead Bites are not vegan because they contain beeswax, shellac, and refined sugar. If you’re looking for a tasty treat that aligns with your ethical values, there are many other options on the market. Be sure to check labels and ingredient lists to make sure that the product is indeed vegan before purchasing.