Are Frooties Vegan and Cruelty Free? (September 2026 Update)

Trying to work out whether Frooties are vegan can be a bit tough.

Candy brands often mask their ingredients behind vague terms such as “artificial and natural flavors,” and even when you can find out what’s inside, it’s not always clear whether those ingredients are vegan.

To ensure that you are only eating food that aligns with your vegan diet and lifestyle, I’ve investigated the ingredients and production processes of Frooties.

Here’s what I found.

Are Frooties Vegan?

No. Frooties are not vegan.

Frooties are a type of coated chewy candy made by Tootsie Roll Industries. Unfortunately, these Tootsie fruit chews are not suitable for vegans.

This chewy candy contains some non-vegan ingredients, such as milk and whey, which are both dairy products.

In addition, Frooties contain questionable sugar. Refined sugar is often processed with bone char, which is made from animal bones, to make them whiter. Unless the sugar is labeled as “organic,” “unrefined,” or “raw,” it’s likely that it was processed with bone char.

Are Frooties Cruelty-Free?

No. Frooties are not cruelty-free.

Frooties are not tested on animals at any point in production. However, this candy contains artificial colors (Yellow 5, Red 40) that are routinely tested on animals.

Animal testing is an outmoded and inhumane practice that needs to be stopped. These poor animals often experience a great deal of suffering during these experiments, and, ultimately, are killed. There are alternative methods of testing that don’t involve animals, so companies have no excuse to continue this cruel practice.

What Are Frooties Made Of?

Here are the ingredients of Mango Frooties:

Sugar
Corn syrup
Palm oil
Condensed skim milk
Whey
Malic acid
Artificial flavor
Soy lecithin
Artificial colors (including FD&C Yellow 5, Red 40)

Let’s break down each ingredient of Frooties:

Sugar

Sugar is a type of carbohydrate that is derived from either sugarcane or sugar beet. Refined sugar is often processed with bone char, which is made from animal bones, which makes it non-vegan. Unless the sugar is labeled as “organic,” “unrefined,” or “raw,” it’s likely that it was processed with bone char.

Corn syrup

Corn syrup is a type of sugar made from cornstarch. It’s a common ingredient in processed foods and is used as a sweetener or to thicken food. Corn syrup is a vegan ingredient.

Palm oil

Palm oil is a type of vegetable oil that is extracted from the fruit of palm trees. It’s a common ingredient in processed foods and cosmetics. Palm oil is a vegan ingredient.

Condensed skim milk

Condensed skim milk is a type of evaporated milk that has had the water removed. It’s made from skim milk, which is a type of non-fat milk. Condensed skim milk is a dairy product and therefore, not vegan.

Whey

Whey is a type of protein that is derived from milk. Whey is a dairy product and, therefore, not vegan.

Malic acid

Malic acid is a type of organic compound that is found in fruits. Malic acid is a vegan ingredient.

Artificial flavor

Artificial flavors are man-made chemicals that are used to mimic the taste of natural flavors. They are commonly found in processed foods, including candy. Artificial flavors are vegan.

Soy lecithin

Soy lecithin is a type of emulsifier that is made from soybeans. It’s used in many processed foods to improve texture or extend shelf life. Soy lecithin is a vegan ingredient.

Artificial colors (including FD&C yellow, red 40)

Artificial colors are man-made chemicals that are used to mimic natural colors. They are made from petroleum and are commonly found in processed foods, including candy. Artificial colors are vegan.

Why Aren’t Frooties Vegan?

Frooties are not vegan because they contain some non-vegan and questionable ingredients, such as milk and whey, and refined sugar. Milk and whey are already a big no-no for vegans because they are both dairy products, and refined sugar is often processed with bone char.