Figuring out whether Fruit Gushers are safe for vegans to consume can be challenging.
Candy brands often mask their ingredients behind vague terms such as “natural flavors,” and even when they do provide a full list of ingredients, it can be difficult to determine which ones are vegan friendly.
To make sure that you’re only consuming food that aligns with your vegan diet, I’ve investigated the ingredients and production processes of Fruit Gushers.
Here’s what I found out.
Are Fruit Gushers Vegan?
No. Fruit Gushers are not vegan.
Fruit Gushers is a type of chewy candy made by Betty Crocker. This candy is popular among children and adults alike. Sadly for vegans, they will not be able to enjoy this candy.
The main ingredients in Fruit Gushers are sugar, corn syrup, and fruit puree. Refined sugar is the main questionable ingredient. It also contains additional questionable ingredients, such as glycerin and monoglycerides.
Sugar is considered non-vegan because it is often processed with bone char. Bone char is a type of animal charcoal that is used to make sugar look whiter. Unless the sugar is labeled “raw,” “organic,” or “unrefined,” it is probably not vegan.
Glycerin, or glycerol, is a clear, odorless liquid that is often used as a preservative or sweetener. It can be derived from plants or animals. Unless it says that the glycerin in the product is vegetable glycerin, it is probably not vegan.
Monoglycerides can also be from plants or animals, but animal-sourced ones are more common because they are cheaper and easier to produce.
These ingredients are not vegan, which means that Fruit Gushers are also not vegan.
Are Fruit Gushers Cruelty-Free?
No. Fruit Gushers are not cruelty-free.
Fruit Gushers are not tested on animals at any point in their production. However, they contain artificial colors, Red 40, Blue 1, and Yellows 5 and 6, all of which are routinely tested on animals.
Animal testing is a gruesome and outdated practice that should be abandoned by all food manufacturers. It only leaves innocent animals disfigured, sick, or dead. There are alternative methods of ensuring product safety that doesn’t involve harming animals so food brands don’t have any excuse to continue this practice.
What Are Fruit Gushers Made Of?
Here are the ingredients of Fruit Gushers Strawberry Splash:
- Sugar
- Corn syrup
- Dried corn syrup
- Pear puree concentrate
- Modified cornstarch
- Fructose
- Maltodextrin
- Palm oil
- Cottonseed oil
- Glycerin
- Grape juice concentrate
- Carrageenan
- Citric acid
- Monoglycerides
- Sodium citrate
- Malic acid
- Vitamin C (ascorbic acid)
- Natural flavor
- Potassium Citrate
- Agar-agar
- Red 40
- Xanthan gum
Let’s break down each ingredient of Fruit Gushers:
Sugar
Sugar is a type of carbohydrate that is found in many plants. It is used as a sweetener in many foods and drinks. Some sugar in the US is filtered through bone char, and since food products don’t disclose what sugar brands they use or if it’s filtered with bone char, it’s safest to assume it’s not vegan unless labeled “organic,” “unfiltered,” or “raw.”
Corn syrup
Corn syrup is a type of sugar that is made from cornstarch. It is used to sweeten food and can be found in many processed foods. Corn syrup is vegan.
Dried corn syrup
Dried corn syrup is a type of corn syrup that has been dried to remove the water content. It is used as a sweetener and can be found in many processed foods. Dried corn syrup is vegan.
Pear puree concentrate
Pear puree concentrate is a type of fruit puree that is made from pears. It is used to add flavor and sweetness to food. Pear puree concentrate is vegan.
Modified cornstarch
Modified cornstarch is a type of cornstarch that has been treated with chemicals. It is used as a thickening agent in many processed foods. Modified cornstarch is vegan.
Fructose
Fructose is a type of sugar that is found in many fruits. It is used as a sweetener in many foods and drinks. Fructose is vegan.
Maltodextrin
Maltodextrin is a type of carbohydrate that is made from starch. It is used as a thickening agent in many processed foods. Maltodextrin is vegan.
Palm oil
Palm oil is a type of vegetable oil that is made from the fruit of palm trees. It is used in many processed foods. Palm oil is vegan.
Cottonseed oil
Cottonseed oil is a type of vegetable oil that is made from cotton seeds. It is used in many processed foods. Cottonseed oil is vegan.
Glycerin
Glycerin is a type of alcohol that is made from fats. It is used in many processed foods. Glycerin can be either vegan or non-vegan depending on how it is sourced. Unless the product lists its glycerin as vegetable glycerin, it is likely sourced from animals.
Grape juice concentrate
Grape juice concentrate is a type of fruit juice that is made from grapes. It is used to add flavor and sweetness to food. Grape juice concentrate is vegan.
Carrageenan
Carrageenan is a type of seaweed extract that is used as a thickening agent in many processed foods. Carrageenan is vegan].
Citric acid
Citric acid is a type of acid that is found in citrus fruits. It is used as a flavoring agent in many foods and drinks. Citric acid is vegan.
Monoglycerides
Monoglycerides are a type of fat that is used as an emulsifier in many processed foods. They can be either vegan or non-vegan depending on how they are sourced. However, animal-sourced monoglycerides are much more common because they are cheaper to produce.
Sodium citrate
Sodium citrate is a type of salt that is made from citric acid. It is used as a flavoring agent in many foods and drinks. Sodium citrate is vegan.
Malic acid
Malic acid is a type of acid that is found in fruits. It is used as a flavoring agent in many foods and drinks. Malic acid is vegan.
Vitamin C (ascorbic acid)
Vitamin C is a type of vitamin that is found in many fruits. It is used as a dietary supplement. Vitamin C is vegan.
Natural flavor
Natural flavors are flavors that are derived from natural sources. They can be either vegan or non-vegan depending on how they are sourced. The natural flavor of Gushers is likely vegan because of the nature of the product (fruit-flavored candy).
Potassium citrate
Potassium citrate is a type of salt that is made from potassium and citric acid. It is used as a flavoring agent in many foods and drinks. Potassium citrate is vegan friendly.
Agar-agar
Agar-agar is a type of seaweed extract that is used as a thickening agent in many processed foods. Agar-agar is vegan friendly.
Xanthan gum
Xanthan gum is a type of carbohydrate that is made from corn sugar. It is used as a thickening agent in many processed foods. Xanthan gum is vegan friendly.
Red 40
Artificial food coloring is added to food to make it more visually appealing. Artificial colors are made from either natural or synthetic sources. Synthetic colors are usually made from petroleum products and are vegan friendly but not cruelty-free.
Why Aren’t Fruit Gushers Vegan?
Gushers are not vegan because they contain some non-vegan ingredients, such as refined sugar, glycerin, and monoglycerides.
Sugar is most commonly filtered in bone char. Glycerin and monoglycerides both can be sourced from plants and animals, but animal sources are cheaper so they are more commonly used in processed foods.
Are Fruit Gushers Strawberry Splash Vegan?
No. Fruit Gushers Strawberry Splash contains sugar, monoglycerides, and glycerin.
This candy is not safe for vegan consumption.
Are Fruit Gushers Tropical Flavor Vegan?
No. Gushers Tropical flavor contains sugar, monoglycerides, and glycerin.
This candy is not safe for vegan consumption.
Are Fruit Gushers Super Sour Berry Vegan?
No. Betty Crocker Fruit Gushers Super Sour Berry contain sugar, monoglycerides, and glycerin.
This candy is not safe for vegan consumption.
Vegan Alternatives to Fruit Gushers
If you’re looking for a vegan alternative to Fruit Gushers, there are many brands that make vegan fruit snacks. Here are some of my favorites:
- YumEarth Organic Chewys Fruit Flavored Candy Chews
- Lovely Candy Co. Organic Sour Chewy Candies
- Torie & Howard Chewie Fruities Organic Candy Pomegranate & Nectarine
- Candy Kittens Tropical Mango
- Torie & Howard Chewie Fruities Organic Candy Lemon & Raspberry
These candies are all vegan and do not contain any animal-derived ingredients. You can feel good about eating them knowing that no animals were harmed or exploited in the making of these delicious snacks!
Final Words
So, there you have it! None of the Fruit Gushers flavors are vegan because they all contain refined sugar, glycerin, and monoglycerides. However, there are many vegan alternatives to Fruit Gushers that are just as delicious. You don’t have to miss out on tasty treats just because you’re vegan! Enjoy!