Determining whether or not Swedish Fish are vegan can be difficult.
Food brands often hide the true nature of their ingredients behind vague or misleading names.
This article uncovers the truth to support you in your vegan lifestyle.
Are Swedish Fish Vegan?
No, Swedish Fish candy is not vegan. Swedish Fish contain ingredients that are derived from animals or have been tested on animals:
- Carnauba wax: This comes from the leaves of a Brazilian palm tree. It’s used to give Swedish Fish a shiny coating. However, carnauba wax is often harvested by exploiting workers and harming the environment. It may also be contaminated with animal-derived substances, such as beeswax or shellac.
- Palm oil: This comes from the fruit of a palm tree. It makes Swedish Fish soft and chewy. However, palm oil production is one of the leading causes of deforestation, habitat loss, and animal suffering. Many animals, such as orangutans, elephants, and tigers, are killed or displaced by palm oil plantations.
- Artificial flavors: These are synthetic substances added to Swedish Fish for a fruity taste. However, artificial flavors are often tested on animals to determine their safety and effects. Some artificial flavors may also contain animal-derived ingredients such as castoreum, which comes from the anal glands of beavers.
Are Swedish Fish Cruelty-Free?
No, Swedish Fish candies are not cruelty-free. They contain ingredients that are either derived from animals or have been tested on animals. Additionally, Swedish Fish is owned by Mondelēz International, a multinational company that tests its products and ingredients on animals when required by law.
What Are Swedish Fish Made Of?
According to the Wikipedia page for Swedish Fish, here are the ingredients:
- Sugar
- Invert sugar
- Corn syrup
- Modified cornstarch
- Citric acid
- Natural and artificial flavor
- White mineral oil
- Carnauba wax (manufactured in Canada) or beeswax (manufactured in Turkey)
- Red (dye) #40
- Yellow (dye) #6
- Yellow (dye) #5
- Blue (dye) #1
Sugar
Sugar is a sweetener that comes from either sugarcane or sugar beet plants. It gives Swedish Fish its sweetness and texture. Sugar may or may not be vegan depending on how it’s processed.
Some sugar producers use bone char, which is made from animal bones, to filter and whiten their sugar. This makes the sugar non-vegan because it contains traces of animal products.
Invert sugar
Invert sugar is made by breaking down sucrose into glucose and fructose. It gives Swedish Fish its moisture and softness. Invert sugar may or may not be vegan depending on how it’s processed.
Some invert sugar producers use animal-derived enzymes, such as invertase, to catalyze the reaction. This makes invert sugar non-vegan because it contains traces of animal products.
Corn syrup
Corn syrup is made from cornstarch. It gives Swedish Fish its sweetness and viscosity. It’s usually vegan-friendly because it does not contain any animal products or by-products.
Modified cornstarch
Modified cornstarch is made from corn and chemically altered to improve its properties. It gives Swedish Fish its shape and structure. Modified cornstarch is usually vegan because it does not contain any animal products or by-products.
Citric acid
Citric acid is found naturally in citrus fruits. It gives Swedish Fish its sourness and acidity. Citric acid may or may not be vegan depending on how it’s produced.
Some citric acid producers use animal-derived substances, such as molasses or whey, as feedstocks for the fermentation process. This makes the citric acid non-vegan because it contains traces of animal products.
Natural and artificial flavor
Natural and artificial flavors are substances added to Swedish Fish to give them their fruity taste. Natural flavors are derived from natural sources, such as plants or animals, while artificial flavors are synthesized in laboratories. Natural and artificial flavors may or may not be vegan depending on their sources and methods of production.
Some natural and artificial flavors may contain animal-derived ingredients, such as castoreum, which comes from the anal glands of beavers, or carmine, which comes from the crushed bodies of cochineal insects. Some natural and artificial flavors may also be tested on animals to determine their safety and effects.
White mineral oil
White mineral oil is a type of oil derived from petroleum. It’s used to give Swedish Fish a shiny coating and prevent them from sticking together. White mineral oil is usually vegan because it doesn’t contain any animal products or by-products.
Carnauba wax (manufactured in Canada) or beeswax (manufactured in Turkey)
Carnauba wax is a type of wax that comes from the leaves of a Brazilian palm tree. It gives Swedish Fish a shiny coating. Carnauba wax isn’t vegan because it’s often harvested by exploiting workers and harming the environment. It may also be contaminated with animal-derived substances such as beeswax or shellac.
Beeswax comes from the honeycombs of bees. It gives Swedish Fish a shiny coating. Beeswax isn’t vegan because it’s produced by exploiting bees. Bees are often killed, injured, or stressed by the extraction process. They are also fed with sugar or corn syrup instead of their own honey, which affects their health and nutrition.
Red (dye) #40
Red (dye) #40 gives Swedish Fish its red color. It’s also known as Allura Red AC or E129. Red #40 may or may not be vegan depending on how it’s tested. Some Red #40 producers test their products on animals to comply with regulatory requirements. This makes Red #40 non-vegan because it involves animal suffering.
Yellow (dye) #6
Yellow (dye) #6 gives Swedish Fish its yellow color. It’s also known as Sunset Yellow FCF or E110. Yellow #6 may or may not be vegan depending on how it’s tested. Some Yellow #6 producers test their products on animals to comply with regulatory requirements. This makes Yellow #6 non-vegan because it involves animal suffering.
Yellow (dye) #5
Yellow (dye) #5 gives Swedish Fish its yellow color. It’s also known as Tartrazine or E102. Yellow #5 may or may not be vegan depending on how it’s tested. Some Yellow #5 producers test their products on animals to comply with regulatory requirements. This makes Yellow #5 non-vegan because it involves animal suffering.
Blue (dye) #1
Blue (dye) #1 gives Swedish Fish its blue color. It’s also known as Brilliant Blue FCF or E133. Blue #1 may or may not be vegan depending on how it’s tested. Some Blue #1 producers test their products on animals to comply with regulatory requirements. This makes Blue (Dye) #1 non-vegan because it involves animal suffering.
Why Aren’t Swedish Fish Vegan?
Swedish Fish are not vegan because they contain ingredients derived from animals or tested on animals, such as carnauba wax, palm oil, artificial flavors, and synthetic food dyes. These ingredients are either harmful to animals, humans, or the environment, or involve animal exploitation or suffering.
Are Swedish Fish Oreos Vegan?
The Swedish Fish Oreo variety is Swedish Fish-flavored filling between two chocolate wafers. Swedish Fish Oreo is not vegan because it contains ingredients that are derived from animals, such as milk, whey, lactose, and honey.
Are Assorted Swedish Fish Vegan?
The Assorted Swedish Fish variety has different colors and flavors, such as orange, lemon-lime, grape, and cherry-berry. Assorted Swedish Fish aren’t vegan because they contain ingredients derived from animals or tested on animals, such as carnauba wax, palm oil, artificial flavors, and synthetic food dyes.
Are Swedish Fish Jelly Beans Vegan?
Swedish Fish Jelly Beans are a variety of Swedish Fish that have jelly bean shape and texture. They are not vegan because they contain ingredients that are derived from animals or have been tested on animals, such as beeswax, gum arabic, and synthetic food dyes.
Beeswax comes from the honeycombs of bees. Gum arabic comes from the sap of acacia trees. Synthetic food dyes give Swedish Fish Jelly Beans their colors. These ingredients are either harmful to animals, humans, or the environment, or involve animal exploitation or suffering.
Vegan Alternatives to Swedish Fish
If you love Swedish Fish but want to avoid animal-derived or animal-tested ingredients, you may be wondering if there are any vegan alternatives to this candy. Fortunately, there are some options that you can try. Here are some vegan alternatives to Swedish Fish:
- Organic vegan gummy bears: These are gummy bears that are made with organic ingredients and natural flavors and colors. They do not contain any gelatin, corn syrup, or artificial additives. You can find them online or in some health food stores.
- Sour Patch Kids: These are sour gummy candies that are shaped like kids. They do not contain any gelatin, beeswax, or carmine. However, they do contain sugar and corn syrup that may be processed with bone char or animal-derived enzymes. They also contain synthetic food dyes that may be tested on animals.
- Annie’s Organic Bunny Fruit Snacks: These are fruit snacks that are shaped like bunnies. They are made with organic ingredients and natural flavors and colors. They do not contain any gelatin, corn syrup, or artificial additives. You can find them in some grocery stores or online.
- YumEarth Organic Fruit Snacks: These are fruit snacks that are made with organic ingredients and natural flavors and colors. They do not contain any gelatin, corn syrup, or artificial additives. You can find them in some grocery stores or online.
- SmartSweets Gummy Bears: These are gummy bears that are made with natural ingredients and plant-based fibers. They do not contain any sugar, corn syrup, or artificial additives. You can find them online or in some health food stores.
Conclusion: Are Swedish Fish Vegan?
Swedish Fish are not vegan because they contain ingredients derived from animals or tested on animals. These ingredients include carnauba wax, palm oil, artificial flavors, and synthetic food dyes.
Swedish Fish also has varieties that aren’t vegan, such as Swedish Fish Oreo and Swedish Fish Jelly Beans. However, there are some vegan alternatives to Swedish Fish that you can try, such as Organic Vegan Gummy Bears and Sour Patch Kids.
We hope this article has helped you learn more about Swedish Fish and its vegan status. Thank you for reading and supporting your vegan lifestyle!