Identifying whether or not Chewy SweeTarts, a favorite gummy candy, are vegan can be a challenging task.
The difficulty often arises from manufacturers concealing the nature and sources of their ingredients, making it tough for conscious consumers to discern.
But don’t worry! This article will delve into the truth about these sweet and sour candies and aid you in maintaining your vegan lifestyle.
Are Chewy SweeTarts Vegan?
No, Chewy SweeTarts are not vegan. There are specific ingredients in this chewy candy that are not suitable for a vegan diet.
The ingredient that definitely makes Chewy SweeTarts non-vegan is egg albumen. Egg albumen is another term for egg whites, which clearly come from animals and are therefore not vegan-friendly.
Furthermore, mono- and diglycerides can be sourced from both plant and animal sources, and the source of these are not disclosed. Therefore, we cannot guarantee this ingredient is vegan either.
Is Chewy SweeTarts Cruelty-Free?
No, Chewy SweeTarts are not cruelty-free. They contain artificial ingredients, particularly food coloring, that are routinely tested on animals.
Furthermore, the ingredient corn syrup comes from corn that is probably produced using genetically modified organisms (GMO). GMO products are tested on animals to ensure their safety for human consumption.
What Are Chewy SweeTarts Made Of?
To understand why Chewy SweeTarts are not vegan, let’s break down the list of ingredients found in these fruity flavors:
- Dextrose
- Corn syrup
- Hydrogenated coconut oil
- Maltodextrin
- Less than 2% of DL-malic acid
- Calcium stearate
- Egg albumen
- Natural flavors
- Mono- and diglycerides
- Carnauba wax
- Blue 1 lake
- Blue 2 lake
- Red 40 lake
- Yellow 5 lake
- Yellow 6 lake
Dextrose
Dextrose is a simple sugar derived from plant starches, usually cornstarch. While it’s vegan as it comes from plants, it might sometimes be refined using bone char, although this isn’t always the case.
Corn Syrup
Corn syrup is also derived from plants, making it generally vegan. However, note that most corn is genetically modified, sometimes using animal genes, which could raise ethical concerns for some vegans due to animal testing.
Hydrogenated Coconut Oil
Coconut oil is plant-based and generally considered vegan. However, the way it’s sourced can sometimes raise ethical concerns, even though it’s not directly related to animal harm.
Maltodextrin
Maltodextrin is 100% vegan because all of its ingredients come from plants. It can be derived from corn, potato, wheat, rice, or tapioca.
DL-Malic Acid
Malic Acid is vegan friendly. It can technically be derived from animals but in practice, it’s not.
Calcium Stearate
Calcium Stearate can be derived from either animal fat or plants. Without specific information from the manufacturer, it’s hard to determine if the one used in Chewy SweeTarts is vegan.
Egg Albumen
As previously mentioned, egg albumen is the white part of an egg, making it not vegan friendly.
Natural Flavors and Food Colorings
The other ingredients listed, such as natural flavors and food colorings, could potentially be derived from animal sources, but without additional information from the manufacturer, it’s impossible to confirm.
Vegan Alternatives to Chewy SweeTarts
If you’re looking for some vegan-friendly alternative brands to Chewy SweeTarts, there are plenty of options available on the market. Try some of these popular vegan gummy candies:
Always be sure to check the ingredients and manufacturer’s information to ensure the product aligns with your dietary preferences and ethics. A great deal of candy manufacturers will call candy vegan even when it’s not.
Look out for sugar — to ensure it’s not processed with bone char, buy organic food. Look out also for mono- and diglycerides, glycerin, stearate, and vitamin D3, all potentially animal-derived ingredients.
Conclusion
Chewy SweeTarts are not vegan due to the presence of egg albumen, and potentially other ingredients, depending on their source, which the makers of SweeTarts do not disclose.
It’s always important to read ingredient lists carefully if you’re following a vegan diet. If in doubt, reach out to the manufacturer for further information or choose a product that is clearly labeled as vegan.
Keep making choices that help the earth and all its inhabitants!