Identifying whether or not Life Savers Gummies is vegan can indeed be a challenging task.
This difficulty largely arises from manufacturers often obscuring the true nature and source of their ingredients.
This article aims to demystify these complexities and help guide you, the passionate vegan enthusiast, along the path of ethical and conscious consumption.
Are Life Savers Gummies Vegan?
Sadly, the answer to this question is no, Life Savers Gummies are not vegan friendly. They are not vegan because they contain gelatin, which is derived from boiling animal skin, bones, and connective tissues.
While it’s the only candy ingredient in this list that comes directly from animal-based sources, it’s enough to fail our vegan test.
Furthermore, the presence of sugar may be a deal breaker for some vegans. While it’s happening less and less, mass-produced sugar is often processed with bone char to make it white. Since many manufacturers don’t disclose the source of their sugar, it’s impossible to say this sugar wasn’t processed with ground-up animal bones.
Are Life Savers Gummies Cruelty-Free?
Unfortunately, these Life Savers candies also fall short on the cruelty-free scale. The reason, once again, is the presence of gelatin, a product of the meat industry that involves the harm and exploitation of animals.
Not only that, but Life Savers hard candies and gummies alike contain artificial colors that are routinely tested on animals. They’re not cruelty-free.
What Are Life Savers Gummies Made Of?
Life Savers Gummies are a beloved candy known for their bright colors and fruity flavors. These chewy delights have been around for years, captivating taste buds of all ages. But what exactly goes into these fruity candies?
Below is a comprehensive list of the ingredients found in Life Savers Gummies:
- Corn syrup
- Sugar
- Water
- Gelatin
- Natural and artificial flavors
- Citric acid
- Modified cornstarch
- Mineral oil
- Carnauba wax
- Artificial colors (Red 40, Yellow 5, Blue 1)
Corn Syrup
Corn syrup is a sweet, viscous liquid produced from cornstarch. It’s primarily used in candies to provide sweetness and maintain the right texture. Corn syrup is vegan friendly because it’s made from plant-based materials.
Sugar
Sugar, a common sweetener in candies, comes from sugar cane or sugar beet plants. In Life Savers Gummies, it provides sweetness and improves texture.
The vegan status of sugar can be contentious because some sugar is processed using bone char from animals, making it potentially non-vegan. However, it’s difficult to determine the exact processing method used for the sugar in Life Savers Gummies.
Water
Water, the universal solvent, is used in almost all food products to combine ingredients. It’s completely vegan because it doesn’t come from an animal source.
Gelatin
Gelatin is a protein obtained by boiling skin, tendons, ligaments, and/or bones from animals. In gummy candies like Life Savers Gummies, gelatin is used to give the candy its distinctive chewy texture. Since it is derived from animal sources, gelatin is not vegan.
Natural and Artificial Flavors
These are a mixture of both naturally derived and synthetically made flavorings used to give Life Savers Gummies their distinct fruity flavors. The sources of these flavors can vary widely, and while many are vegan, some may come from animal sources. Therefore, without specific information from the manufacturer, it’s challenging to ascertain their vegan status.
Citric Acid
Citric acid is a natural acid found in many fruits and vegetables, primarily citrus fruits. It’s added to Life Savers Gummies to provide a tart, fruity flavor. Citric acid is vegan friendly.
Modified Cornstarch
Modified cornstarch is a derivative of corn, used as a thickener and stabilizer in food products. It helps to give Life Savers Gummies their shape and prevents them from melting or sticking together. Modified cornstarch is vegan friendly because it is derived from corn.
Mineral Oil
Mineral oil is a colorless and odorless oil that’s often used in candy production as a releasing agent to prevent candies from sticking to their molds. It is vegan because it’s a petroleum by-product, not an animal one.
Carnauba Wax
Carnauba wax comes from the leaves of the carnauba palm tree. It’s used to give candies like Life Savers Gummies a shiny appearance. Carnauba wax is plant derived and thus, it’s vegan.
Artificial Colors (Red 40, Yellow 5, Blue 1)
Artificial colors are synthetic food dyes used to give food products a vibrant and appealing color. Red 40, Yellow 5, and Blue 1 are all derived from petroleum and are vegan. However, they are routinely tested on animals, which raises ethical concerns among many vegans.
Vegan Alternatives to Life Savers Gummies
Despite the disappointment of Life Savers Gummies not being vegan friendly, fear not! There are a plethora of other delicious, ethical gummy treats available:
- YumEarth Gummy Fruits: These are gelatin-free, gluten-free, and colored using fruit juice.
- Annie’s Organic Bunny Fruit Snacks: These are also gelatin-free and come in a variety of flavors.
- SmartSweets: Low in sugar, high in fiber, completely vegan and utterly delicious.
Conclusion
In conclusion, while the Life Savers Gummies brand may tantalize the taste buds with their fruity flavors and slightly tart treat, they unfortunately do not pass the vegan-friendly and cruelty-free tests, mainly due to the inclusion of gelatin.
Fortunately, many vegan alternatives provide the same sweet enjoyment, without compromising on ethics or taste.
As compassionate consumers, the power to make positive choices for animals and our planet lies in our hands, and knowing what’s in our food is the first step towards making those conscious choices.