Answer: No
The primary ingredient of concern in Hi-Chew candy that makes it non-vegan is gelatin. Gelatin is an animal-derived product, typically sourced from the skin, bones, and connective tissues of animals such as cows or pigs. It is used in a variety of food products for its gelling properties.
From the manufacturers ingredient lists, gelatin is present in all varieties of Hi-Chew. Thus, none of these Hi-Chew candies would be suitable for a vegan diet.
Other Ingredient Concerns
Some strict vegans may also want to avoid the sugar used in these candies, as it may have been processed with bone char, a decolorizing agent derived from animal bones.
It’s also worth noting that these candies are produced in a facility that processes milk. While the candies themselves don’t contain dairy products, cross-contamination is a possibility. This might be a concern for those with severe allergies or those who wish to avoid all possible contact with animal products.
Hi Chews Ingredient Lists
2.82 oz. Plus Fruit Mix Bag
GLUCOSE SYRUP, SUGAR, VEGETABLE OIL (HYDROGENATED PALM KERNEL OIL, PALM KERNEL OIL), DRIED APPLE (APPLE, SUGAR), GELATIN, LESS THAN 2% OF DRIED ORANGE (ORANGE, SUGAR, SALT), DRIED TANGERINE (TANGERINE, SUGAR, SALT), MALIC ACID, CITRIC ACID, APPLE JUICE CONCENTRATE, NATURAL AND ARTIFICIAL FLAVORS, ORANGE JUICE CONCENTRATE, DRIED STRAWBERRIES, TANGERINE POWDER, SUCROSE FATTY ACID ESTERS, SORBITAN MONOSTEARATE, VEGETABLE JUICES (COLOR), PAPRIKA (COLOR), CARROT JUICE (COLOR), SOY LECITHIN. CONTAINS SOYBEANS.
*MADE IN A FACILITY THAT ALSO PROCESSES MILK
3.17 oz. Superfruit Mix Bag
GLUCOSE SYRUP, SUGAR, VEGETABLE OIL (HYDROGENATED PALM KERNEL OIL, PALM KERNEL OIL), LESS THAN 2% OF GELATIN, CHIA SEEDS, NATURAL AND ARTIFICIAL FLAVORS, CITRIC ACID, MALIC ACID, FRUIT JUICE CONCENTRATE (COLOR), VEGETABLE JUICE CONCENTRATE (COLOR), KIWI PUREE, MALTODEXTRIN, APPLE JUICE CONCENTRATE, DRAGON FRUIT JUICE, SUCROSE FATTY ACID ESTERS, SORBITAN MONOSTEARATE, ACAI EXTRACT, HONEY, PURPLE CARROT JUICE CONCENTRATE (COLOR), SOY LECITHIN. CONTAINS SOYBEANS.
*MADE IN A FACILITY THAT ALSO PROCESSES MILK.
3.17 oz. Sweet & Sour Mix Bag
GLUCOSE SYRUP, SUGAR, HYDROGENATED PALM KERNEL OIL, LESS THAN 2% OF GELATIN, CITRIC ACID, MALIC ACID, NATURAL AND ARTIFICIAL FLAVORS, SUCROSE FATTY ACID ESTERS, SORBITAN TRISTEARATE, VEGETABLE JUICE (COLOR), LEMON JUICE CONCENTRATE, GRAPEFRUIT JUICE CONCENTRATE, WATERMELON JUICE CONCENTRATE, BETA-CAROTENE (COLOR).
3.53 oz. Original Mix Bag
GLUCOSE SYRUP, SUGAR, HYDROGENATED PALM KERNEL OIL, LESS THAN 2% OF GELATIN, MALIC ACID, CITRIC ACID, NATURAL AND ARTIFICIAL FLAVORS, SUCROSE FATTY ACID ESTERS, SORBITAN TRISTEARATE, SPIRULINA EXTRACT (COLOR), FRUIT JUICE (COLOR), VEGETABLE JUICE (COLOR), GRAPE JUICE CONCENTRATE, APPLE JUICE CONCENTRATE, STRAWBERRY JUICE CONCENTRATE.
3.53 oz. Tropical Mix Bag
GLUCOSE SYRUP, SUGAR, VEGETABLE OIL (HYDROGENATED PALM KERNEL OIL, PALM KERNEL OIL), LESS THAN 2% OF GELATIN, MALIC ACID, NATURAL AND ARTIFICIAL FLAVORS, CITRIC ACID, MANGO PUREE, CHIA SEEDS, KIWI PUREE, MALTODEXTRIN, APPLE JUICE CONCENTRATE, PINEAPPLE JUICE CONCENTRATE, SUCROSE FATTY ACID ESTERS, SORBITAN MONOSTEARATE, FRUIT JUICE CONCENTRATE (COLOR), VEGETABLE JUICE CONCENTRATE (COLOR), HONEY, ASCORBIC ACID (VITAMIN C), BETA-CAROTENE (COLOR), SOY LECITHIN. CONTAINS SOYBEANS.
*MADE IN A FACILITY THAT ALSO PROCESSES MILK
2.82 oz. Soda Pop Mix Bag
SUGAR, GLUCOSE SYRUP, VEGETABLE OIL (PALM OIL, HYDROGENATED PALM OIL), LESS THAN 2% OF GELATIN, CITRIC ACID, MALIC ACID, NATURAL AND ARTIFICIAL FLAVORS, SUCROSE FATTY ACID ESTERS, CARAMEL COLOR, SOY LECITHIN. CONTAINS SOYBEANS.
3.17 oz. Berry Mix Bag
GLUCOSE SYRUP, SUGAR, HYDROGENATED PALM KERNEL OIL, LESS THAN 2% OF GELATIN, CITRIC ACID, MALIC ACID, NATURAL AND ARTIFICIAL FLAVORS, SUCROSE FATTY ACID ESTERS, SORBITAN TRISTEARATE, VEGETABLE JUICE (COLOR), FRUIT JUICE (COLOR), CHERRY JUICE CONCENTRATE, RED RASPBERRY JUICE CONCENTRATE, BLUEBERRY JUICE CONCENTRATE, BETA-CAROTENE (COLOR).
3 oz. Fantasy Mix Bag
GLUCOSE SYRUP, SUGAR, HYDROGENATED PALM KERNEL OIL, LESS THAN 2% OF GELATIN, MALIC ACID, CITRIC ACID, NATURAL AND ARTIFICIAL FLAVORS, SPIRULINA EXTRACT (COLOR), FRUIT JUICE CONCENTRATE (COLOR), VEGETABLE JUICE CONCENTRATE (COLOR), SUCROSE FATTY ACID ESTERS, SORBITAN TRISTEARATE, RED RASPBERRY JUICE CONCENTRATE, LEMON JUICE CONCENTRATE, PINEAPPLE JUICE CONCENTRATE, PINEAPPLE JUICE CONCENTRATE, BETA-CAROTENE (COLOR).
3 oz. Fruit Combos Mix Bag
GLUCOSE SYRUP, SUGAR, VEGETABLE OIL (PALM OIL, HYDROGENATED PALM OIL), LESS THAN 2% OF GELATIN, MALIC ACID, CITRIC ACID, NATURAL AND ARTIFICIAL FLAVORS, MANGO PUREE, PINEAPPLE JUICE CONCENTRATE, SUCROSE FATTY ACID ESTERS, BETA-CAROTENE (COLOR), FRUIT AND VEGETABLE JUICE CONCENTRATE (COLOR), SOY LECITHIN.
*CONTAINS: SOYBEANS
4.24 oz. Infrusions Mix Bag
GLUCOSE SYRUP. SUGAR, VEGETABLE OIL (HYDROGENATED PALM KERNEL OIL), CONCENTRATED APPLE PUREE, INVERT SUGAR, LESS THAN 2% OF GELATIN, GLYCERIN, MALIC ACID, CITRIC ACID, NATURAL FLAVORS, CITRUS FIBER, VEGETABLE JUICE CONCENTRATE (COLOR), FRUIT JUICE CONCENTRATE (COLOR), SUCROSE FATTY ACID ESTERS, SORBITAN MONOSTEARATE, PECTIN, BETA-CAROTENE (COLOR), SOY LECITHIN. CONTAINS SOYBEANS.
*MADE IN A FACILITY THAT ALSO PROCESSES MILK.
2.12 oz. Reduced Sugar Mix Bag
SUGAR, MALTOSYLTREHALOSE SYRUP, VEGETABLE OIL (HYDROGENATED PALM KERNEL OIL, PALM KERNEL OIL), INULIN, GLUCOSE SYRUP, LESS THAN 2% OF ACACIA GUM, GELATIN, SUCROSE FATTY ACID ESTERS, CITRIC ACID, MALIC ACID, NATURAL AND ARTIFICIAL FLAVORS, SORBITAN MONOSTEARATE, MANGO PUREE, STRAWBERRY JUICE CONCENTRATE, FRUIT JUICE CONCENTRATE (COLOR), VEGETABLE JUICE CONCENTRATE (COLOR), BETA-CAROTENE (COLOR), SOY LECITHIN. CONTAINS SOYBEANS.
2.12 oz. HI-CHEW Bites
GLUCOSE SYRUP, SUGAR, VEGETABLE OIL (HYDROGENATED PALM KERNEL OIL, PALM KERNEL OIL), LESS THAN 2% OF GELATIN, SUCROSE FATTY ACID ESTERS, MALIC ACID, CITRIC ACID, NATURAL AND ARTIFICIAL FLAVORS, CALCIUM CARBONATE, CARNAUBA WAX, ACACIA GUM, MODIFIED TAPIOCA STARCH, PULLULAN, SPIRULINA EXTRACT (COLOR), FRUIT JUICE CONCENTRATE (COLOR), VEGETABLE JUICE CONCENTRATE (COLOR), LACTIC ACID, SORBITAN MONOSTEARATE, MANGO PUREE, STRAWBERRY JUICE CONCENTRATE, APPLE JUICE CONCENTRATE, BETA-CAROTENE (COLOR), SOY LECITHIN. CONTAINS SOYBEANS.
*MADE IN A FACILITY THAT ALSO PROCESSES MILK.
11.65 oz. Fruit Combos Mix Stand Up Pouch
GLUCOSE SYRUP, SUGAR, HYDROGENATED PALM KERNEL OIL, LESS THAN 2% OF GELATIN, MALIC ACID, CITRIC ACID, NATURAL AND ARTIFICIAL FLAVORS, SUCROSE FATTY ACID ESTERS, SORBITAN TRISTEARATE, BETA-CAROTENE (COLOR), STRAWBERRY JUICE CONCENTRATE, PINEAPPLE JUICE CONCENTRATE, MANGO JUICE CONCENTRATE, VEGETABLE JUICE (COLOR).
12.7 oz. Original Mix Stand Up Pouch
GLUCOSE SYRUP, SUGAR, HYDROGENATED PALM KERNEL OIL, LESS THAN 2% OF GELATIN, MALIC ACID, CITRIC ACID, NATURAL AND ARTIFICIAL FLAVORS, SUCROSE FATTY ACID ESTERS, SORBITAN TRISTEARATE, SPIRULINA EXTRACT (COLOR), FRUIT JUICE (COLOR), VEGETABLE JUICE (COLOR), GRAPE JUICE CONCENTRATE, APPLE JUICE CONCENTRATE, STRAWBERRY JUICE CONCENTRATE, MANGO JUICE CONCENTRATE, BETA-CAROTENE (COLOR).
12.7 oz. Sweet & Sour Mix Stand Up Pouch
GLUCOSE SYRUP, SUGAR, HYDROGENATED PALM KERNEL OIL, LESS THAN 2% OF GELATIN, CITRIC ACID, MALIC ACID, NATURAL AND ARTIFICIAL FLAVORS, SUCROSE FATTY ACID ESTERS, SORBITAN TRISTEARATE, VEGETABLE JUICE (COLOR), LEMON JUICE CONCENTRATE, GRAPEFRUIT JUICE CONCENTRATE, WATERMELON JUICE CONCENTRATE, BETA-CAROTENE (COLOR).
12.7 oz. Tropical Mix Stand Up Pouch
GLUCOSE SYRUP, SUGAR, VEGETABLE OIL (HYDROGENATED PALM KERNEL OIL, PALM KERNEL OIL), LESS THAN 2% OF GELATIN, MALIC ACID, CITRIC ACID, NATURAL AND ARTIFICIAL FLAVORS, CHIA SEEDS, MANGO PUREE, SUCROSE FATTY ACID ESTERS, SORBITAN MONOSTEARATE, KIWI PUREE, MALTODEXTRIN, APPLE JUICE CONCENTRATE, PINEAPPLE JUICE CONCENTRATE, DRAGON FRUIT JUICE, FRUIT JUICE CONCENTRATE (COLOR), VEGETABLE JUICE CONCENTRATE (COLOR), HONEY, ASCORBIC ACID (VITAMIN C), BETA-CAROTENE (COLOR), SOY LECITHIN. CONTAINS SOYBEANS.
*MADE IN A FACILITY THAT ALSO PROCESSES MILK.
1.76 oz. Açaí Stick
GLUCOSE SYRUP, SUGAR, VEGETABLE OIL (HYDROGENATED PALM KERNEL OIL, PALM KERNEL OIL), LESS THAN 2% OF GELATIN, CHIA SEEDS, NATURAL AND ARTIFICIAL FLAVORS, MALIC ACID, CITRIC ACID, ACAI EXTRACT, SUCROSE FATTY ACID ESTERS, SORBITAN MONOSTEARATE, FRUIT JUICE CONCENTRATE (COLOR), VEGETABLE JUICE CONCENTRATE (COLOR), SOY LECITHIN. CONTAINS SOYBEANS.
MADE IN A FACILITY THAT ALSO PROCESSES MILK.
1.76 oz. Banana Stick
GLUCOSE SYRUP, SUGAR, VEGETABLE OIL (HYDROGENATED PALM KERNEL OIL, PALM KERNEL OIL), LESS THAN 2% OF GELATIN, LACTIC ACID, NATURAL AND ARTIFICIAL FLAVORS, SEASONING (SUGAR, MALTODEXTRIN, MODIFIED FOOD STARCH, ARABIC GUM, FLAVOR, GUAR GUM, FREEZE DRIED BANANA), CITRIC ACID, SUCROSE FATTY ACID ESTERS, SORBITAN MONOSTEARATE, BETA-CAROTENE (COLOR), SOY LECITHIN. CONTAINS SOYBEANS.
*MADE IN A FACILITY THAT ALSO PROCESSES MILK.
1.76 oz. Grape Stick
GLUCOSE SYRUP, SUGAR, VEGETABLE OIL (HYDROGENATED PALM KERNEL OIL, PALM KERNEL OIL), LESS THAN 2% OF GELATIN, RED GRAPE JUICE CONCENTRATE, CITRIC ACID, MALIC ACID, NATURAL AND ARTIFICIAL FLAVORS, SUCROSE FATTY ACID ESTERS, SORBITAN MONOSTEARATE, FRUIT JUICE CONCENTRATE (COLOR), VEGETABLE JUICE CONCENTRATE (COLOR), SOY LECITHIN. CONTAINS SOYBEANS.
*MADE IN A FACILITY THAT ALSO PROCESSES MILK.
1.76 oz. Green Apple Stick
GLUCOSE SYRUP, SUGAR, VEGETABLE OIL (HYDROGENATED PALM KERNEL OIL, PALM KERNEL OIL), LESS THAN 2% OF GELATIN, NATURAL AND ARTIFICIAL FLAVORS, MALIC ACID, CITRIC ACID, APPLE JUICE CONCENTRATE, FRUIT JUICE CONCENTRATE (COLOR), VEGETABLE JUICE CONCENTRATE (COLOR), SUCROSE FATTY ACID ESTERS, SORBITAN MONOSTEARATE, SOY LECITHIN. CONTAINS SOYBEANS.
*MADE IN A FACILITY THAT ALSO PROCESSES MILK.
1.76 oz. Kiwi Stick
GLUCOSE SYRUP, SUGAR, VEGETABLE OIL (HYDROGENATED PALM KERNEL OIL, PALM KERNEL OIL), LESS THAN 2% OF GELATIN, NATURAL AND ARTIFICIAL FLAVORS, CHIA SEEDS, MALIC ACID, CITRIC ACID, KIWI PUREE, MALTODEXTRIN, APPLE JUICE CONCENTRATE, FRUIT JUICE CONCENTRATE (COLOR), VEGETABLE JUICE CONCENTRATE (COLOR), HONEY, SUCROSE FATTY ACID ESTERS, SORBITAN MONOSTEARATE, SOY LECITHIN. CONTAINS SOYBEANS.
*MADE IN A FACILITY THAT ALSO PROCESSES MILK.
1.76 oz. Mango Stick
GLUCOSE SYRUP, SUGAR, VEGETABLE OIL (HYDROGENATED PALM KERNEL OIL, PALM KERNEL OIL), LESS THAN 2% OF GELATIN, MANGO PUREE, MALIC ACID, CITRIC ACID, NATURAL AND ARTIFICIAL FLAVORS, SUCROSE FATTY ACID ESTERS, SORBITAN MONOSTEARATE, BETA-CAROTENE (COLOR), SOY LECITHIN. CONTAINS SOYBEANS.
*MADE IN A FACILITY THAT ALSO PROCESSES MILK.
1.76 oz. Strawberry Stick
GLUCOSE SYRUP, SUGAR, VEGETABLE OIL (HYDROGENATED PALM KERNEL OIL, PALM KERNEL OIL), LESS THAN 2% OF GELATIN, NATURAL AND ARTIFICIAL FLAVORS, MALIC ACID, CITRIC ACID, STRAWBERRY JUICE CONCENTRATE, SUCROSE FATTY ACID ESTERS, SORBITAN MONOSTEARATE, PURPLE CARROT JUICE (COLOR), SOY LECITHIN. CONTAINS SOYBEANS.
*MADE IN A FACILITY THAT ALSO PROCESSES MILK.
1.76 oz. Watermelon Stick
GLUCOSE SYRUP, SUGAR, VEGETABLE OIL (HYDROGENATED PALM KERNEL OIL, PALM KERNEL OIL), LESS THAN 2% OF GELATIN, CITRIC ACID, MALIC ACID, NATURAL AND ARTIFICIAL FLAVORS, PURPLE CARROT JUICE CONCENTRATE (COLOR), WATERMELON JUICE POWDER, SUCROSE FATTY ACID ESTERS, SORBITAN MONOSTEARATE, BETA-CAROTENE (COLOR), SOY LECITHIN.
*CONTAINS SOYBEANS.
Alternatives
In summary, if you’re looking for a vegan alternative, you would need to seek out a similar product that doesn’t include gelatin or any other animal-derived ingredients. As a reminder, it’s always important to read labels as ingredients can change over time.