Are Gummy Bears Vegan? What’s Lurking in Your Candy

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Gummy bears: chewy, sweet, and totally snackable. But if you’re vegan, you might be wondering—are they actually vegan?

colorful assortment of gummy bears piled together, featuring bright red, yellow, orange, and green candies

Spoiler alert: most of them aren’t! Let’s dive into what’s lurking in your candy and how you can satisfy your sweet tooth with plant-based options.

Why Aren’t Most Gummy Bears Vegan?

The main culprit here is gelatin. It’s made from animal bones and skin, giving gummy bears that chewy texture. Yikes!

While some gummies also use carnauba wax (from palm tree leaves) to make them shiny, gelatin is the real deal-breaker for vegans.

How to Find Vegan Gummy Bears

1. Avoid Gelatin

A clear glass of gelatin with a spoon rests on a white and blue checkered cloth

Look out for the word gelatin on the ingredients list—if it’s there, it’s not vegan. Instead, look for gummies made with agar-agar or pectin.

These plant-based alternatives give that signature chewy texture without the animal products.

2. Check for “Vegan” Labels

A colorful assortment of gummy bears in red, green, yellow, blue, and orange.

To keep it simple, just look for gummies labeled “vegan”. Many brands have hopped on the plant-based train, offering sweet, chewy, and totally vegan-friendly gummy bears.

3. Go for Natural or Organic Brands

Five colorful gummy bears in blue, yellow, clear, orange, and pink stand in a row on a white background

Organic and specialty brands like Surf Sweets, Annie’s Organic, and SmartSweets have vegan gummy options. They skip the gelatin and keep things plant-based, so you can snack guilt-free!

4. Make Your Own!

white bowl brimming with colorful gummy bears in red, green, yellow, and orange hues

Feeling crafty? Make your own vegan gummy bears at home using agar-agar, fruit juice, and sweeteners. It’s easy, fun, and you get to control what goes into your candy!

Conclusion: Gummy Bears and Veganism

While most gummy bears aren’t vegan because of gelatin, there are plenty of vegan-friendly options out there! So go ahead, grab a bag of those plant-based gummies, or make your own, and enjoy a sweet treat without the worry!