Are Brach’s Candy Canes Vegan and Cruelty-Free? The Sweet Truth

June 2, 2023

Figuring out if Brach’s Candy Canes are vegan can be tricky.

The Ferrara Candy Company subsidiary uses some vague ingredients and it can be hard to tell which are vegan.

To make sure you only eat foods that align with your vegan diet and lifestyle, I’ve investigated the ingredients and production processes of Brach’s Candy Canes. Here’s what I found.

Are Brach’s Candy Canes Vegan?

No. Brach’s Candy Canes are not vegan.

Brach’s Candy Canes have several animal products in the form of beeswax and shellac. They also contain sugar that is likely to be processed with bone char.

Beeswax is used to make the candy canes shiny and smooth. It’s also used as a binding agent.

Shellac is another ingredient that comes from animals. It’s made from the lac beetle and it’s used to give the candy canes a glossy finish.

Brach’s Candy Canes also have sugar, and as we all know, refined sugar is often filtered using bone char.

Bone char is made by heating animal bones at a very high temperature until they turn into charcoal.

This process is used to make the sugar white.

Not all sugar is filtered using bone char, but it’s hard to know which kind is used in Brach’s Candy Canes. Big companies often source their sugar from many suppliers, so it’s difficult to track where it comes from.

So, unless the sugar is explicitly labeled “organic,” “raw,” or “unrefined,” it’s best to assume it was filtered with bone char and therefore not safe for vegan consumption.

Are Brach’s Candy Canes Cruelty-Free?

Unfortunately, Brach’s Candy Canes are also not cruelty-free.

Their candy canes contain artificial colors and these are often tested on animals to ensure they are safe for human consumption.

Animal testing is a gruesome and unnecessary process that causes immense suffering to animals.

So, if you’re looking for a vegan and cruelty-free candy cane, Brach’s is not the right choice.

Are Any Candy Canes Vegan?

Many popular candy canes, including Brach’s Candy Canes, Jelly Belly Candy Canes, and Spangler Candy Canes are not suitable for people on a vegan diet. These commercial candy canes often contain beeswax, shellac, and sugar that has likely been filtered with bone char.

Fortunately, there are some vegan candy canes available on the market. These candy canes are made with plant-based ingredients and they don’t contain any animal products.

You can find vegan candy canes at some health food stores or online.

What Are Brach’s Candy Canes Made Of?

Here are the ingredients of Brach’s Candy Canes:

  • Sugar
  • Corn syrup
  • Acacia (gum arabic)
  • Titanium dioxide (color)
  • Modified food starch (corn)
  • Confectioner’s glaze (shellac)
  • Coconut oil
  • Peppermint oil
  • Carnauba wax
  • White mineral oil
  • Artificial flavor
  • Beeswax
  • Sunflower lecithin
  • Colors (Red 40, Red 3, Blue 1, Yellow 6)

Let’s break down each ingredient of Brach’s Candy Canes:

Sugar

Sugar is the main ingredient of Brach’s Candy Canes. It’s what gives the candy its sweet taste. Brach’s sugar is very likely not safe for vegan consumption.

Corn syrup

Corn syrup is a liquid sweetener made from cornstarch. It’s often used in candy because it’s cheaper than sugar. Corn syrup is vegan.

Acacia (gum arabic)

Acacia is a tree gum that’s used as a thickening and binding agent. It’s vegan.

Titanium dioxide (color)

Titanium dioxide is a white pigment that’s used to make the candy canes white. It’s vegan.

Modified food starch (corn)

Modified food starch is a thickening agent made from corn. It’s vegan.

Confectioner’s glaze (shellac)

Shellac is a resin secreted by the lac beetle. It’s used to make the candy canes glossy. Shellac is not vegan.

Coconut oil

Coconut oil is oil extracted from coconuts. It’s used as a binding agent in the candy canes. Coconut oil is vegan.

Peppermint oil

Peppermint oil is an essential oil made from peppermint leaves. It’s used to flavor the candy canes. Peppermint oil is vegan.

Carnauba wax

Carnauba wax is a plant-based wax made from the leaves of the carnauba palm. It’s used to make the candy canes shiny. Carnauba wax is vegan.

White mineral oil

Mineral oil is a liquid made from petroleum. It’s used as a binding agent in the candy canes. Mineral oil is vegan.

Artificial flavor

The artificial flavor in Brach’s Candy Canes is likely not vegan. Artificial flavors are often made with animal products.

Beeswax

Beeswax is wax made by bees. It’s used to make the candy canes shiny and smooth. Beeswax is not vegan.

Sunflower lecithin

Sunflower lecithin is a fat found in sunflower seeds. It’s used as an emulsifier in the candy canes. Sunflower lecithin is vegan.

Colors (Red 40, Red 3, Blue 1, Yellow 6)

The colors in Brach’s Candy Canes are likely vegan, but not cruelty-free. Artificial colors are often tested on animals.

Why Aren’t Brach’s Candy Canes Vegan?

Brach’s candy canes are not vegan because they contain several animal-derived ingredients, including shellac, beeswax, and refined sugar. They also contain artificial food colors that are tested on animals.

Shellac is a resin secreted by the lac beetle. Beeswax is derived from bees, and sugar is often filtered with bone char.

So, if you’re looking for a vegan candy cane, Brach’s is not the right choice.

There are many vegan candy canes on the market that don’t contain any animal-derived ingredients. Just be sure to check the label before you buy!

Are Brach’s Peppermint Crushed Candy Canes Vegan?

No. Brach’s Peppermint Crushed Candy Canes are not vegan. They contain refined sugar as well as shellac and beeswax.

This candy cane is not safe for vegan consumption.

Are Brach’s Cherry Rainbow Canes Vegan?

No. Brach’s Cherry Rainbow Canes are not vegan. They contain refined sugar as well as shellac and beeswax.

This candy cane is not safe for vegan consumption.

Are Brach’s Red & White Mint Canes Vegan?

No. Brach’s Red & White Mint Canes are not vegan. They contain refined sugar as well as shellac and beeswax.

This candy cane is not safe for vegan consumption.

Are Brach’s Wintergreen Canes Vegan?

No. Brach’s Wintergreen Canes are not vegan. They contain refined sugar as well as shellac and beeswax.

This candy cane is not safe for vegan consumption.

Are Brach’s Funfetti Candy Canes Vegan?

No. Brach’s Funfetti Candy Cane is not vegan. They contain refined sugar as well as shellac and beeswax.

This candy cane is not safe for vegan consumption.

Are Brach’s Rainbow Punch Candy Canes Vegan?

No. Brach’s Rainbow Punch Candy Canes are not vegan. They contain refined sugar as well as shellac and beeswax.

This candy cane is not safe for vegan consumption.

Are Brach’s Peppermint Mini Canes Vegan?

No. Brach’s Peppermint Mini Canes are not vegan. They contain refined sugar as well as shellac and beeswax.

This candy cane is not safe for vegan consumption.

Are Brach’s Jumbo Mint Canes Vegan?

No. Brach’s Jumbo Mint Canes are not vegan. They contain refined sugar as well as shellac and beeswax.

This candy cane is not safe for vegan consumption.

Are Brach’s Candy Canes Dairy-Free?

These candy canes are dairy-free, and most hard candies don’t really have dairy in them to begin with, but some may have traces of milk from cross contamination during processing.

Some high-quality gourmet candy canes may be made with cream instead of milk, so if you have a dairy allergy, it’s always best to check the label or contact the manufacturer before consuming.

Vegan Alternatives to Brach’s Candy Canes

If you’re looking for a vegan candy cane, there are many delicious options on the market! Here are a few of my favorites:

The candy canes produced by these brands are all vegan and delicious! Never again will you have to miss out on the joy of candy canes just because you care about animals.

Final Word

So, there you have it! Brach’s Candy Canes are not vegan because of their use of sugar filtered with bone char, shellac, and beeswax. However, there are many delicious vegan candy canes on the market that will satisfy your sweet tooth without harming any animals.

But as always, be sure to check the label before you buy to make sure the product meets your dietary needs and preferences. Enjoy your candy canes!