It’s no secret that vegans love to eat, and we like our sweets just as much as the next person. Fortunately, loads of candies are vegan, so we can indulge our cravings (mostly) guilt-free. Most dark chocolate is vegan, as are popular sweet treats such as Smarties (known as Rockets in Canada), Oreos, Airheads, Jujubes, and Swedish Fish (some Swedish Fish containbeeswax, so be sure to check the label). Check out PETA’s database of accidentally vegan foods for a full list, including candy, cookies, and ice cream. You can also shop our custom selection of vegan chocolates, candy, and snacks at the PETA Treat Shop.
While we update the list frequently, companies do change their ingredients from time to time. The main ingredients to watch out for in candy are carmine, which is a red pigment made from the crushed female cochineal insect; gelatin, obtained by boiling the skin, tendons, ligaments, and bones of cows and pigs; and shellac (also called confectioner’s glaze), which gives candies a glossy coating and is made from the resinous excretions of certain insects. Some sugar may also be refined with bone char—see PETA’s position on bone char here.
The most important thing to keep in mind is that being vegan isn’t about personal purity―it’s about reducing animal suffering. If we avoid products that are 99.9 percent vegan but contain trace amounts of animal products, we send the message to companies that there is no market for more animal-friendly goods, and we’ve hurt more animals than we’ve helped. It also makes being vegan seem difficult and time-consuming to people around us. PETA encourages people to do their best to maintain a vegan lifestyle but not to spend time worrying about trace amounts of ingredients that may be animal-derived.
FAQs
Fortunately, loads of candies are vegan, so we can indulge our cravings (mostly) guilt-free. Most dark chocolate is vegan, as are popular sweet treats such as Smarties (known as Rockets in Canada), Oreos, Airheads, Jujubes, and Swedish Fish (some Swedish Fish contain beeswax, so be sure to check the label).
Which common candies are vegan? ›
Fortunately, loads of candies are vegan, so we can indulge our cravings (mostly) guilt-free. Most dark chocolate is vegan, as are popular sweet treats such as Smarties (known as Rockets in Canada), Oreos, Airheads, Jujubes, and Swedish Fish (some Swedish Fish contain beeswax, so be sure to check the label).
Are Skittles vegan? ›
With that in mind, the simple answer is: yes. Skittles Classic Fruits are suitable for vegans. Though the bag only brands them as 'Suitable For Vegetarians', classic Skittles do have a vegan friendly status as they contain no animal products.
What sweets can vegans eat? ›
12 sweets you didn't know were vegan
- Candy Kittens. Colourfully polka dotty and full of flavour. ...
- Haribo Rainbow Range. Most Haribo sweets do contain gelatine, but, if it's Tangfastics you're missing, you're in luck. ...
- Jelly Tots. Yes. ...
- Lemon Sherbets. ...
- M&S Own Brand. ...
- Millions. ...
- Sherbety Snacks. ...
- Swizzels.
Twizzlers
Whether you choose classic strawberry, strawberry smoothie or the caramel apple filled twists, you can be sure that they are a vegan-friendly product.
Are M&M's vegan? ›
Are any M&Ms Vegan? Unfortunately upon further inspection, no m&m's are vegan. Not even some of the flavoured ones like peanut m&m or the crispy m&m. While the obvious reason might be the inclusion of dairy products in the milk chocolate with the main ingredient being milk products - skim milk, there are other reasons.
Are Oreos vegan? ›
Many vegans refer to Oreos as “accidentally vegan,” meaning they don't contain animal products — but they weren't created to be a specifically vegan treat. Oreos do not contain milk, eggs, or any other animal-derived products, so they are technically vegan in that sense. Plant-based cookies and cream lovers rejoice!
Are Doritos vegan? ›
Since 1966, Doritos has satisfied customers' snack cravings with their flavored tortilla chips. But unfortunately for vegans, only one variety is vegan-friendly: Spicy Sweet Chili. The other Doritos flavors contain various dairy products and animal-derived flavors, none of which are vegan.
Is Starburst vegan? ›
Starbursts were launched in the USA in 1967, and have since become hugely popular in the country. Unfortunately for American plant-based eaters, however, they feature gelatin in their ingredients. This means that they aren't suitable for vegans or vegetarians.
Are airheads vegan? ›
Well, if you love taffy and other chewy candies, you'll be happy to find out that they really are. So, all varieties of Airheads are vegan except for Airheads Bites, which contain the animal-based ingredients gelatin, beeswax, and shellac. All together that's six vegan varieties of Airheads.
Beer and Wine
Isinglass, a gelatin-based substance derived from fish, is used as a clarifying agent in some beer and wine. Other non-vegan ingredients sometimes used are casein (from milk) and egg whites.
What candy is 100% vegan? ›
Vegan Candy Bars
Equal Exchange (some products are vegan) Go Max Go Foods (100% vegan) Goldenberg's Peanut Chews.
Is Laffy Taffy vegan? ›
The fun-sized versions of Laffy Taffy candies are vegan-friendly. But, be cautious with the larger version, it is not vegan because it contains eggs.
Are Starburst vegan? ›
Starbursts were launched in the USA in 1967, and have since become hugely popular in the country. Unfortunately for American plant-based eaters, however, they feature gelatin in their ingredients. This means that they aren't suitable for vegans or vegetarians.
Are Jolly Ranchers vegan? ›
While hard candy varieties of Jolly Ranchers don't contain any animal ingredients, the candy's website distinctly notes that Jolly Ranchers are not vegan.
What Hershey candy is vegan? ›
Hershey's Plant Based Extra Creamy with Almonds and Sea Salt is a fully vegan Hershey Bar. The second product is Hershey's Plant Based Extra Creamy with Almonds and Sea Salt.
