Trying to find out if Good & Plenty is vegan can be difficult.
Licorice makers often mask their ingredients behind vague terms, such as “natural flavor,” and even when they do give you a full list, it can be hard to determine which are animal products and which aren’t.
To make sure you are only eating foods that align with your vegan diet and lifestyle, I’ve investigated the ingredients and production processes of Good & Plenty.
Here’s what I found.
Is Good & Plenty Licorice Candy Vegan?
No. Good & Plenty Licorice Candy is not vegan.
Good & Plenty is a type of licorice candy that is coated in a hard candy shell. The traditional flavor is pink with a white interior. Sadly, vegans can’t enjoy this treat because it contains carmine, confectioner’s glaze, and refined sugar.
Carmine is a red food coloring made from crushed cochineal bugs, and confectioner’s glaze, or shellac, is a resin secreted by the female lac bug.
Then there’s sugar. Sugar is technically vegan, but the way sugar is processed often involves using bone char, which is made from the bones of cows. Unless the sugar in the product is labeled “raw,” “organic,” or “unrefined,” it is probably not vegan.
Is Good & Plenty Cruelty Free?
No. Good & Plenty is not cruelty free.
Good & Plenty Licorice Candy is not tested on animals at any point in its production. However, it does contain ingredients that are routinely tested on animals, such as artificial color.
Animal testing is a cruel and inhumane practice that often leaves innocent animals disfigured, maimed, and dead. There are alternative methods of testing that do not involve animals and are even more reliable. So, food brands don’t really have an excuse to continue testing on animals.
What Is Good & Plenty Licorice Candy Made Of?
Here are the ingredients of Good & Plenty Licorice Candy:
- Sugar
- Corn syrup
- Enriched wheat flour (flour, niacin, ferrous sulfate, thiamin mononitrate, riboflavin, folic acid)
- Licorice extract
- Gum acacia
- Cornstarch
- Salt
- Natural flavor
- Artificial flavor
- Rice starch
- Artificial color (carmine color, Red 40 lake)
- Caramel color
- Confectioner’s glaze
- Carnauba wax
Let’s break down each ingredient of Good & Plenty Licorice Candy:
Sugar
Sugar is a primary ingredient in most candy. It is made from sugarcane or sugar beets, both plants, so it is technically vegan friendly. However, sugar is often processed using bone char, which is made from the bones of cows.
Corn syrup
Corn syrup is a liquid sweetener made from cornstarch. It is used in candy to keep it moist and to prevent sugar crystals from forming. Corn syrup is vegan friendly.
Enriched wheat flour
Enriched wheat flour is made by adding vitamins and minerals to regular wheat flour. These vitamins and minerals include niacin, iron, thiamin, riboflavin, and folic acid. Enriched wheat flour is vegan friendly.
Licorice extract
Licorice extract is made from the root of the licorice plant. Licorice extract gives Good & Plenty candy its licorice flavor. Licorice extract is vegan friendly.
Gum acacia
Gum acacia is a gum made from the sap of the acacia tree. It is used to add texture and prevent sugar crystals from forming. Gum acacia is vegan.
Cornstarch
Cornstarch is a starch made from corn. It is used to thicken candy and prevent it from sticking. Cornstarch is vegan.
Salt
Salt is used to add flavor and to prevent the candy from sticking. Salt is vegan.
Natural flavor
Natural flavor is made from natural ingredients and is used to add flavor to food. Natural flavor can be from plant or animal sources, but Good & Plenty licorice candy likely uses plant-based natural flavor given the nature of the product.
Artificial flavor
Artificial flavor is made from synthetic ingredients. It is used to add flavor to food. Artificial flavor is vegan.
Rice starch
Rice starch is a starch made from rice. It is used to thicken candy and prevent it from sticking. Rice starch is vegan.
Artificial color
Artificial color is often made from synthetic ingredients. It is used to add color to food. Artificial color can be both vegan and non-vegan but not cruelty free, because it is almost always tested on animals.
Carmine is a red pigment made from crushing insects. It is not vegan.
Red 40 lake is a red food colorant made from coal tar. It is vegan.
Caramel color
Caramel color is a food coloring that is often made from caramelized sugar. It is likely not vegan because of the refined sugar used to make it.
Confectioner’s glaze
Confectioner’s glaze is made from shellac, which is made from the secretion of the lac beetle. It is used to give the candy a shiny finish. Confectioner’s glaze is not vegan.
Carnauba wax
Carnauba wax is made from the leaves of the carnauba palm tree. It is used to add shine and prevent sticking. Carnauba wax is vegan.
Why Isn’t Good & Plenty Vegan?
Good & Plenty, unfortunately, is not vegan because it contains carmine, confectioner’s glaze and refined sugar. Carmine is made by crushing cochineal bugs, confectioner’s glaze is made from shellac, which is made from the secretion of the lac beetle, and sugar is often processed using bone char.
Are Reese’s Halloween Milk Chocolate Miniatures Peanut Butter Cups Vegan?
No. Reese’s Halloween Milk Chocolate Miniatures Peanut Butter Cups contain milk.
These chocolate peanut butter cup candies are not safe for vegan consumption.
Are Hershey’s Halloween Props Milk Chocolate Candy Bars Vegan?
No. Hershey’s Halloween Props Milk Chocolate Candy Bars contain milk.
These candy bars are not safe for vegan consumption.
Are Kit Kat Witch’s Brew White Creme Snack Size Candy Bars Vegan?
No. Kit Kat Witch’s Brew White Creme Snack Size Candy Bars contain milk.
These candy bars are not safe for vegan consumption.
Are Hershey’s Cookies ‘N’ Creme Snack Size Fangs Vegan?
No. Hershey’s Cookies ‘N’ Creme Snack Size Fangs contain milk.
These fang-shaped cookies are not safe for vegan consumption.
Are Reese’s Milk Chocolate Peanut Butter Snack Size Pumpkins Vegan?
No. Reese’s Milk Chocolate Peanut Butter Snack Size Pumpkins contain milk, whey, and sugar.
These chocolate pumpkins are not safe for vegan consumption.
Vegan Alternatives to Good and Plenty
Craving some licorice flavor to get you through the Halloween season? Don’t worry, there are many delicious vegan licorice candies on the market that are comparable in taste and texture to Good & Plenty and contain no animal-derived ingredients. Some of my favorites include:
- Red Vines Licorice Candies
- Panda Licorice Candies
- Wiley Wallaby Licorice Candies
- YumEarth Organic Licorice
These are just a few of the many delicious vegan options available. So if you’re looking for an alternative to Good & Plenty candies, you’re sure to find one that you love in a candy aisle.
Final Words
So there you have it! Good & Plenty is not vegan because it contains carmine, confectioner’s glaze, and refined sugar. While it may be a disappointment to some, there are plenty of delicious vegan licorice candies on the market to satisfy your sweet tooth. You won’t have to feel left out at your next Halloween party with all of these delightful vegan candy options. And, who knows, maybe one day Good & Plenty will be reformulated to be vegan friendly. Until then, happy candy hunting!