Answer: Inconclusive
Zotz candies do not contain any ingredients that are directly derived from animals, making them suitable for dietary vegans. However, there are two potentially problematic ingredients:
- Sugar: While sugar in its raw form is vegan, the refining process for cane sugar often uses bone char from cows, which is not considered vegan because it exploits animals.
- Artificial Colors (Blue 2, Red 40, Yellow 5 & 6): These are controversial in the vegan community due to their history of being tested on animals. Although they do not contain animal products, many vegans choose to avoid them due to ethical concerns.
While all Zotz flavors listed in the source appear to be free from direct animal derivatives, ethical vegans might consider them non-vegan due to the above concerns. Individuals who are vegan for health reasons may still choose to consume these candies, depending on their stance on artificial colors.
It’s also worth noting that there are different perspectives within the vegan community about what ingredients are acceptable, so a decision on whether Zotz candies are vegan could vary from person to person. Always check the specific ingredients of a product to determine its suitability for your dietary needs.
Zots Ingredients List:
- Sugar
- Glucose
- Malic Acid
- Sodium Bicarbonate
- Water
- Tartaric Acid
- Natural & Artificial flavors
- Blue 2
- Red 40
- Yellow 5 & 6