Trying to work out if Skittles are vegan is a tough task.
Mars Wrigley, the company that makes Skittles, masks the actual ingredients behind vague terms such as “natural colors and flavors” and even when they do give you a full list, they never include how those ingredients were made.
To ensure that you are only eating foods that align with your vegan values, I’ve investigated the ingredients and manufacturing process of Skittles. Here’s what I found.
Are Skittles Vegan?
No. Unfortunately, Skittles are not vegan. Most of the ingredients in Skittles may seem vegan friendly at first glance, but one key ingredient is not: the sugar.
The sugar used in Skittles is refined white sugar. This type of sugar is not vegan because it is typically processed using bone char. Bone char is a type of charcoal that is made from the bones of cows. It is used to process sugar to make it white.
Granted not all refined sugar is filtered through bone char, but it’s hard to know which brands do it this way and which don’t. Skittles do not use certified vegan sugar, so we can’t be sure that their sugar isn’t processed with bone char.
Are Skittles Cruelty Free?
No. Skittles are not cruelty free. The colors used in Skittles are tested on animals such as mice, rats, and rabbits to ensure that they are safe for human consumption. After the animal testing, the animals are then promptly killed.
This means that animal suffering is involved in the manufacturing of Skittles and they are not cruelty free.
What Are Skittles Made Of?
Here are the ingredients of the original Skittles:
- Sugar
- Corn syrup
- Hydrogenated palm kernel oil
- Citric acid
- Tapioca dextrin
- Modified cornstarch
- Natural and artificial flavors
- Colors (Red 40 Lake, Titanium Dioxide, Red 40, Yellow 5 Lake, Yellow 5, Yellow 6 Lake, Yellow 6, Blue 2 Lake, Blue 1, Blue 1 Lake)
- Sodium citrate
- Carnauba wax
Let’s break down each ingredient of the original Skittles:
Sugar
Not all sugar is filtered using bone char. Some, like beet sugar, are vegan. However, the sugar used for skittle is refined white sugar that is very likely to be processed with bone char.
Corn syrup
Corn syrup is a liquid sweetener made from cornstarch. It does not contain any animal products.
Hydrogenated palm kernel oil
This is a type of vegetable oil that has been treated with hydrogen gas to solidify it. It is often used in place of animal fats, such as lard, in food products. Hydrogenated palm kernel oil is vegan.
Citric acid
This is a sour-tasting compound that is found in many fruits and vegetables. It can be made synthetically or derived from citrus fruits. Citric acid is vegan.
Tapioca dextrin
This is a type of starch that is derived from the cassava plant. It is used as a thickening agent in many food products. Tapioca dextrin is vegan.
Modified corn starch
This is a type of starch that has been treated with chemicals to change its properties. It is often used as a thickening or stabilizing agent in food products. Modified corn starch is safe for vegans to consume.
Natural and artificial flavors
Natural and artificial flavorings are added to food products to enhance taste. Natural flavors are derived from plant or animal sources. Artificial flavors are created in a laboratory. The natural flavors in Skittles are likely vegan because its flavors are fruit based.
Coloring
These are dyes that are added to food products to give them color. They can be derived from plants, animals, or minerals. Most dyes are from petroleum and some are from plants and minerals, but some are from insects. The coloring in Skittles is derived from petroleum, so it’s vegan, but food dyes are routinely tested on animals.
Sodium citrate
This is a type of salt that is derived from citric acid. It is used as a flavor enhancer or emulsifier in many food products. Sodium citrate is vegan.
Carnauba wax
This is a type of wax that is derived from the leaves of the carnauba palm tree. It is used as a coating or glazing agent in many food products.
Why Aren’t Skittles Vegan?
It’s clear that Skittles are not vegan because they contain refined white sugar. Refined sugar is generally considered not vegan because it is processed using bone char.
Are Sour Skittles Vegan?
No. Sour Skittles are not vegan because they contain the same controversial refined sugar as the Original Skittles. This product is not safe for vegan consumption.
Are Wild Berry Skittles Vegan?
No. Wild Berry Skittles are not vegan because they contain the same controversial refined sugar as the Original Skittles. This product is not safe for vegan consumption.
Are Tropical Skittles Vegan?
No. Tropical Skittles are not vegan because they contain the same controversial refined sugar as the Original Skittles. This product is not safe for vegan consumption.
Are Brightside Skittles Vegan?
No. Brightside Skittles are not vegan because they contain the same controversial refined sugar as the Original Skittles. This product is not safe for vegan consumption.
Are Once in a Blue Moon Skittles Vegan?
No. Once in a Blue Moon Skittles are not vegan because they contain the same controversial refined sugar as the Original Skittles. This product is not safe for vegan consumption.
Vegan Alternatives to Skittles
If you’re looking for a vegan-friendly alternative to Skittles, there are many companies that make vegan candies.
- Airheads
- Hubba Bubba Gum
- Mary Jane Candy
- Mamba
- Swedish Fish (some of them have beeswax, it’s important to check the label)
These candies are listed as vegan by the company that makes them. However, it is always best to check the ingredients label to make sure that they do not contain any animal ingredients.
Final Words
Skittles are considered vegan by many people because they do not contain any animal-derived ingredients. However, the sugar the candy uses is an uncertified refined white sugar and very likely is processed using bone char.
The artificial colors are also routinely tested on animals, which is certainly not cruelty free.
For these reasons, I do not recommend eating Skittles if you are trying to live a vegan lifestyle. There are many delicious vegan alternatives to Skittles that you can enjoy instead!
But as always, the best way to be sure that a product is vegan is to check the ingredients label.