Ever wondered why your favorite chewy gummy bears don’t fit into a vegan diet?
Well, we’re about to unwrap that mystery!
This article dives into the not-so-vegan ingredients lurking in traditional gummy bears and highlights some fantastic vegan alternatives.
So, if you’re a gummy bear enthusiast looking to align your sweet indulgences with your vegan lifestyle, keep reading!
Surf Sweets Organic Fruity Bears
Perfect for the health-conscious sweet tooth, these gummy bears are a delightful treat made with organic fruit juice concentrate and cane sugar. They stand out with their plant-based colors, absence of artificial flavors, and no high fructose corn syrup. Ideal for those who appreciate a natural, fruity flavor in their gummies.
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Joyride Low Sugar Fruity Gummy Bears
These low-sugar, keto-friendly gummy bears are a dream come true for those on a diet. With only 3g sugar, 6g net carbs, and 60 calories per bag, they’re a guilt-free indulgence. They’re vegan, free from artificial ingredients, and come in six exciting flavors. Ideal for those seeking a healthier alternative without compromising on taste.
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Mary Ruth’s Gummy Bear Snacks
These gummies are a juicy delight in strawberry, orange, and papaya flavors. Made with cane sugar and packed with electrolytes and fiber, they’re a great on-the-go snack for the whole family. Free from nuts, gluten, dairy, and soy, they’re a safe and tasty choice for those with dietary restrictions.
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Annie’s Organic Berry Patch Bunny Fruit Snacks
While these aren’t your traditional bear-shaped gummies, they’re a fantastic substitute. These bunny-shaped, fruit-flavored snacks come in bold strawberry, cherry, and raspberry flavors. Made with real fruit juice and organic cane sugar, they’re a vegan, gluten-free delight. Perfect for those who want a fun twist on their gummy snacks while still enjoying natural, wholesome ingredients.
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HunnyBon Organic Gummy Bears
These vegan gummy bears offer chewy perfection with a burst of fruit flavor. Made with organic, vegan ingredients, they’re a clean treat you can feel good about. The gummies are colored with natural extracts, including organic black carrot and turmeric. They’re a great choice for those seeking a guilt-free, organic gummy bear experience.
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Squish Vegan Sparkling Bears
These gummies are a fizzy delight, offering a unique spin on traditional gummy bears. Infused with the flavors of white and rosé wine, they’re a party in every bite. The gummies are vegan and have a unique texture that’s firmer than gelatin-based gummies, but still deliciously chewy. They’re a fantastic choice for vegan candy lovers looking for a sparkling treat.
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Crafted Candy Plant Based Bears
These colorful, soft gummies are a burst of natural flavor. Crafted with plant-based ingredients, they’re a guilt-free indulgence. Free from gelatin, aspartame, and common allergens, they’re a safe choice for those with dietary restrictions. These vegan gummies are perfect for those who want to enjoy a sweet treat while maintaining a sustainable lifestyle.
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GoBio! Organic Gummi Bears – Vegan
These gummies are a vibrant, soft, and flavorful treat. Made with 100% organic ingredients and real fruit flavors, they’re free from high fructose corn syrup, additives, and artificial colors. These vegan gummy bears are a great choice for those who want to indulge in a sweet treat while staying true to their organic lifestyle.
Shop GoBio!Why Most Gummy Bears Aren’t Vegan
Why are most gummy bears not vegan?
There are a few reasons for that.
The biggest is gelatin.
Gelatin is a thickening agent that gives gummy bears their springy, gelatinous texture. However, gelatin is made from the ground bones, skin, and even connective tissue of animals.
The second reason a gummy bear might not be vegan is because of beeswax. Several companies – like Haribo – coat their gummy bears in beeswax, mostly just to keep them from sticking together.
The final reason a lot of gummy bears are not vegan is because of red food color number 4. This food coloring is made from millions of ground bugs. However, it’s worth noting that it’s more commonly used in cosmetics than in food.
You may notice that some of the gummy candies that are “vegan”, such as Swedish Fish and Sour Patch Kids, use red food color 40. This is not the same as 4 and is derived from petroleum, which is not animal derived.
However, these food colors are being tested on animals to determine if they are harmful to humans. Therefore a lot of food dyes are not cruelty-free.
With that said, it may just be safest to look for naturally colored gummy bears. These will use fruit and vegetable juices, extracts, and powders to give their candy color.
Keep an Eye on Gummy Bears
If you love gummy bears, then I suggest keeping a keen eye on the ingredient lists because they seem to change a lot. Hopefully, that means more gummy bears will become vegan, but it could also mean the opposite with some companies!
Don’t forget that just because a company sells one vegan gummy bear, doesn’t mean all their gummy treats are vegan. Most brands sell both. Make sure to look out for the things I’ve mentioned (gelatin, beeswax, and food coloring), and you’ll have no issue figuring out if a gummy bear is vegan or not.
Yum! I love gummies, and they were definitely something I was missing when I moved over to a vegan diet. I was recently in Germany and found the absoulte best vegan gummies I have ever tasted! But sadly they do not sell them in the USA 🙁
Thank you for the suggestions I will be on the lookout for these.
I would like to know the name of the German vegan gummy bears that Michele spoke of on 8/24/17. Thank you.
I’m from Germany. She’s probably referring to Katje’s gummy candies – they’re super yummy! https://www.katjes.com/
I was just in Germany and found vegan Gummi bears and berries at the Bären-Treff. They are delicious, especially the berries made with real and corresponding fruit juice. Not just grape juice. I can’t stop eating them.