Trying to work out whether gummies are vegan friendly can be challenging.
Gummy makers often mask their ingredients behind vague terms such as “natural ingredients,” and even when they provide a full list of ingredients, it can be hard to tell which ones are vegan and which aren’t.
To make sure that you are only eating food that aligns with your vegan diet and lifestyle, I’ve investigated the ingredients and production process of Gummies.
Here’s what I found.
Are Gummies Vegan?
No. Gummies are not vegan.
Gummies are a type of chewable candy that comes in many different flavors, from many different brands. They are well known for their unique, chewy texture. Unfortunately, most gummies are not suitable for a vegan diet.
Gummies are made with gelatin. Gelatin is a protein that comes from animals. It is made by boiling the skin, tendons, and bones of animals. Because of this, gummies are not considered vegan friendly.
Many gummies also contain refined sugar. Sugar is naturally vegan, but it is often processed with bone char. Bone char is a charcoal-like substance made from animal bones, used to make the sugar whiter. Unless labeled “raw,” “organic,” or “unrefined,” sugar is most likely processed with bone char.
But don’t worry, there are some vegan-friendly gummies on the market. You just have to do your research and read the labels carefully. And when in doubt, contact the company directly to ask about their ingredients and production process.
Are Gummies Cruelty Free?
No. Gummies are not cruelty free.
Gummies are not tested on animals at any point during the manufacturing process. However, they do contain artificial colors. This ingredient is regularly tested on animals to ensure that it is safe for human consumption.
Animal testing is a gruesome and outmoded practice that causes immense suffering and death to millions of innocent animals every year. There are plenty of alternative methods that are safe, effective, and humane. So companies don’t have any excuse to keep using it.
What Are Gummies Made Of?
Here are the ingredients of gummies:
- Corn syrup
- Sucrose
- Gelatin
- Starch
- Water
- Food coloring
- Flavoring
- Citric acid
- Malic acid
Let’s break down each ingredient of gummies:
Corn syrup
Corn syrup is a type of sugar. It is made from cornstarch and is often used to sweeten food. Corn syrup is vegan.
Sucrose
Sucrose is another type of sugar. It is made from sugarcane or sugar beets. Sucrose is vegan unless it is processed with bone char.
Gelatin
Gelatin is a protein that comes from animals. It is made by boiling the skin, tendons, and bones of animals. It is used to give food a chewy texture. Gelatin is not vegan.
Starch
Starch is a type of carbohydrate. It is made from grains, potatoes, or corn. It is used to give food a chewy texture. Starch is vegan.
Water
Water is, well…water. It is used as a solvent and to keep food moist. Water is vegan.
Food coloring
Food coloring is used to give food a certain color. It is made from synthetic sources or from plant extracts. Food coloring is technically vegan, but it is not cruelty-free because it is tested on animals.
Flavoring
Flavoring is used to give food a certain taste or smell. It is made from natural or artificial sources. Artificial flavor is usually vegan, while natural flavors can be derived from both plant and animal sources. But given the nature of gummies (candy), it’s probably vegan.
Citric acid
Citric acid is a type of citrus flavor. It is made from citrus fruits and is used to give food a sour taste. Citric acid is vegan.
Malic acid
Malic acid is another type of citrus flavor. It is made from apples. It is used to give food a sour taste. Malic acid is vegan.
Why Aren’t Gummies Vegan?
Most gummy bears and other gummy candies are not vegan because they contain animal-derived ingredients, including gelatin, and questionable ingredients, such as refined sugar.
Gelatin is a bad ingredient for vegans because it is made from the skin, tendons, and bones of animals. These parts of animals are boiled to extract the protein, gelatin.
Sugar is made from either sugarcane or sugar beets. Sugarcane is often processed with bone char to make it whiter. Unless the sugar is raw, organic, or unrefined, it probably contains bone char.
So, if you want to eat vegan gummies, make sure to check the labels carefully. And when in doubt, contact the company directly to ask about their ingredients and production process.
Are Haribo Gummy Bears Vegan?
No. Haribo Gummy Bears contain gelatin and beeswax.
These gummy bears are not safe for vegan consumption.
Are Black Forest Organic Gummy Bears Vegan?
No. Black Forest Organic Gummy Bears contain gelatin.
These gummy bears are not safe for vegan consumption.
Are YumEarth Gluten-Free Gummy Bears Vegan?
No. YumEarth Gluten-Free Gummy Bears contain gelatin.
These gummy bears are not safe for vegan consumption.
Are Surf Sweets Organic Fruity Bears Vegan?
Yes! Organic Fruity Bears do not contain animal-derived ingredients.
These gummy bears are safe for vegan consumption.
Vegan Alternatives to Gummies
Gummies in general are not vegan, but there are some vegan alternatives out there. Here are some of my favorite gummy candies:
- Project 7 Low Sugar Gummy Bears
- Project 7 Gummy Guppies
- Project 7 Sour Fruit Gummies
- Annie’s Organic Berry Patch Bunny Fruit Snacks
- Surf Sweets Organic Fruity Bears
With these vegan brands, you can enjoy the taste of gummies without harming any animals! You don’t have to sacrifice your morals to enjoy a delicious treat. Or you can create your own homemade vegan gummy bears! There are plenty of vegan gummy bear recipes online. Here are some vegan recipes:
- 3 Ingredient Vegan Gummy Bears Recipe by Wow It’s Veggie
- Vegan Gummy Worms by Fork And Beans
With vegan ingredients, such as organic cane sugar and fruit juice, you can follow a recipe to make your own vegan gummies! Creating your own gummies also allows you to control what goes into them. You can be sure that your gummies are vegan and free of animal products.
Final Words
So, there you have it! Gummy candies are not vegan because they contain animal-derived and questionable ingredients. But there are some vegan alternatives out there that you can enjoy.
You can also make your own vegan gummy bears at home! With some simple ingredients, you can make delicious vegan gummies that are free of any animal products. Enjoy!