Figuring out whether Brach’s Conversation Hearts are vegan can be a bit challenging.
Candy ingredients are often masked by vague terms such as “natural and artificial flavors,” which can make it difficult to determine if they’re vegan or not.
To make sure that you are only eating food that aligns with your vegan diet and ethics, I’ve investigated the ingredients and production process of Brach’s Conversation Hearts.
Here’s what I found.
Are Brach’s Conversation Hearts Vegan?
Sadly no. Brach’s Conversation Hearts are not vegan.
Brach’s Valentine candies variety is a special heart-shaped candy for the season of love. They are manufactured by Ferrara Candy Company, which produces a number of items that are not vegan, so it’s not surprising that their Conversation Hearts aren’t vegan either.
The main non-vegan ingredient in Conversation Hearts is gelatin. Gelatin is a protein made from the skin, bones, and connective tissues of animals, such as pigs and cows. It’s commonly used in candies, marshmallows, jelly, and other desserts because of its unique texture and binding properties.
Conversation Hearts also contain sugar, which is more often than not filtered and decolorized using bone char. Bone char is a granular material produced by heating animal bones in order to remove impurities.
So if you’re looking for a vegan-friendly candy to give your vegan loved ones this Valentine’s Day, Brach’s Conversation Hearts are not the right choice. However, there are many delicious vegan candies on the market that are sure to please everyone.
Are Brach’s Conversation Hearts Cruelty-Free?
No. Brach’s Conversation Hearts are not cruelty-free. While the product is not tested on animals, it does have artificial food colorings. Artificial food colorings are often tested on animals to ensure they are safe for human consumption.
Brachs should consider using natural food colorings in their Conversation Hearts so that they’re not contributing to animal suffering.
What Are Brach’s Conversation Hearts Made Of?
Here are the ingredients of Brach’s Conversation Hearts:
- Sugar
- Corn syrup
- Dextrose
- Glycerin
- Gelatin
- Citric acid
- Tragacanth gum
- Natural and artificial flavor
- Blue 2
- Red 40 lake
- Red 3
- Yellow 5 lake
- Yellow 6 lake
- Blue 1 lake
- Blue 2 lake
- Maltodextrin
- Calcium stearate
Let’s break down each ingredient of Brach’s Conversation Hearts:
Sugar
One of the main ingredients, sugar, is a type of carbohydrate that is found in many foods. It can be made from either sugar cane or sugar beet. Sugar is often used as a sweetener in candies and other desserts.
In the US, refined sugar is processed and decolorized with an animal by-product called “bone char,” which is used to remove impurities and give the sugar its white color. In this case, Conversation Hearts candies have unclear sugar sourcing. Unless the sugar is labeled “organic,” “raw,” or “unrefined,” it is best to assume that it is not vegan.
Corn syrup
Corn syrup is a type of sugar that is made from cornstarch. It is used as a sweetener and thickener in many food products. Corn syrup is a vegan ingredient.
Dextrose
Dextrose is a type of sugar that is made from corn or wheat. It is used as a sweetener in many food products. Dextrose is generally a vegan ingredient. However, some companies use animal-derived enzymes during their manufacturing process.
Glycerin
Glycerin is a type of alcohol that is often used as a sweetener or preservative in food products. It can be either plant-derived or animal-derived. In the case of Conversation Hearts, it’s unknown if the glycerin is vegan or not.
Gelatin
As mentioned earlier, gelatin is a protein made from the skin, bones, and connective tissues of animals such as pigs and cows. It’s commonly used in candies, marshmallows, jelly, and other desserts because of its unique texture and binding properties. Gelatin is a non-vegan ingredient.
Citric acid
Citric acid is a type of acid that is often used as a flavoring or preservative in food products. It can be derived from plants or synthetically produced. Citric acid is a vegan ingredient.
Tragacanth gum
Tragacanth gum is a type of gum that is often used as a thickener, stabilizer, and emulsifier in food products. Tragacanth gum is a vegan ingredient.
Natural and artificial flavor
Natural and artificial flavors are often used to enhance the taste or smell of food products. Artificial flavors are synthetic chemicals that are designed to taste or smell like a natural flavor.
Natural flavors can be either plant derived or animal derived. In the case of Conversation Hearts, it’s safe to say that the flavors likely are from plants given that candies don’t usually contain meat.
Blue 2
Blue 2 is a type of food coloring that is often used in candies and other food products. Blue food colorings are usually made from synthetic chemicals. Blue 2 food coloring is a vegan ingredient.
Red 40 Lake
Red 40 Lake is a type of water-insoluble food coloring that is often used in candies and other food products. Red food colorings are usually made from synthetic chemicals. Red 40 Lake is a vegan ingredient.
Red 3
Red food colorings are usually made from synthetic chemicals. Red 3 is derived from fluorone, a synthetic compound. Red food coloring is a vegan ingredient.
Yellow 5 Lake & Yellow 6 Lake
Yellow lake is a type of water-insoluble food coloring known for its stability and resistance to fading. Yellow Lake dyes are usually made from synthetic compounds. Yellow Lake is a vegan ingredient.
Blue 1 Lake & Blue 2 Lake
Blue Lake is a type of water-insoluble food coloring known for its stability and resistance to fading. Blue Lake dyes are usually made from synthetic compounds. Blue Lake is a vegan ingredient.
Maltodextrin
Maltodextrin is a type of carbohydrate that is often used as a thickener, stabilizer, or emulsifier in food products. Maltodextrin is a vegan ingredient.
Calcium stearate
Calcium stearate is a type of salt that is often used as an anti-caking agent in food products. Calcium stearate is a vegan ingredient.
Why Aren’t Brach’s Conversation Hearts Vegan?
This delicious Valentine’s Day treat isn’t vegan because it contains gelatin. Gelatin is a protein made from the skin, bones, and connective tissues of animals such as pigs and cows. While there are plant-based alternatives to gelatin, most commercial brands still use the animal-derived version because it is cheaper and more common.
The Valentine’s Day candy also contains refined sugar that is very likely to be processed with bone char. These two ingredients make Conversation Hearts unsafe for vegan consumption.
Is Brach’s Tiny Conversation Hearts Candy Vegan?
No. Brach’s Tiny Conversation Hearts contain gelatin and questionable ingredients, such as sugar and natural flavors.
This is not a vegan product.
Is Brach’s Large Conversation Hearts Candy Vegan?
No. Brach’s Large Conversation Hearts contain gelatin and questionable ingredients, such as sugar and natural flavors.
This is not a vegan product.
Is Wisecracks “End The Conversation” Hearts! Candy Vegan?
No. Brach’s Wisecracks “End The Conversation” Hearts contain gelatin and questionable ingredients, such as sugar and natural flavors.
This is not a vegan product.
Is Brach’s Heart 2 Heart Tiny Conversation Hearts Candy Vegan?
Yes! Brach’s Heart 2 Heart Tiny Conversation Hearts are vegan! They do not contain gelatin or sugar.
This product is safe for vegan consumption.
Are Brach’s Tropical Fruit Conversation Hearts Boxes Vegan?
No. Brach’s Tropical Fruit Conversation Hearts contain gelatin and questionable ingredients, such as sugar and natural flavors.
This is not a vegan product.
Is Brach’s Other Candy Vegan?
Sadly, no. Most of Brach’s candy, such as Candy Corn, Candy Rolls, Chocolates, and Gummy Bears are not vegan. They all contain gelatin and sugar, which are ingredients vegans avoid.
Vegan Alternatives to Brach’s Conversation Hearts
Looking for a delicious and vegan-friendly alternative to Brach’s love hearts candies? These candy brands are my go-to when I’m looking for a vegan conversation heart:
You can also make them at home to make sure they’re vegan! Here are a few recipes that I like:
- Conversation Hearts By One Green Planet
- Vegan Conversation Hearts by Mayhem in the Kitchen
- Vegan Conversation Hearts Candy by Wee Little Vegans
These products and recipes are great if you’re looking for a vegan alternative to Brach’s Conversation Hearts!
Final Words
Welp, there you have it. Unfortunately, these sweets are not vegan, or even vegetarian. The gelatin and sugar content makes these candies a deal breaker for those on a vegan diet. But don’t worry, there are plenty of other delicious and vegan-friendly options out there for you to enjoy this Valentine’s Day!