Are Gummies Vegan?

Gummies are the candy most likely to catch out a new vegan. They look like nothing more than sugar and fruit flavor, but the classic gummy bear, worm and ring is set with gelatin, an animal product, and often polished with beeswax. The good news is that vegan gummies are now easy to find, if you know what to look for.

Why most gummies aren't vegan

Three ingredients rule most gummies out:

A fourth, carmine (cochineal, E120), shows up in some red and pink gummies, and is made from insects.

Gelatin is the big one. It's what makes a traditional gummy bear springy, and it's in most of the best-known brands, including most Haribo.

What vegan gummies are made with

Vegan gummies use plant-based gelling agents instead:

Glazes are swapped too: carnauba wax (E903), from palm leaves, does the job of beeswax and is vegan.

How to tell if a gummy is vegan

1. Look for gelatin or gelatine. If it's there, the gummy isn't vegan or vegetarian.
2. Check the glazing agents near the end of the list. Beeswax (E901) or shellac (E904) means it isn't vegan; carnauba wax (E903) is fine.
3. Check the colors on red and pink sweets for carmine, cochineal or E120.
4. Don't stop at "vegetarian". A vegetarian mark means no gelatin, but beeswax is still allowed. Look for a vegan label to be sure.
5. Check halal gummies too. They usually contain beef gelatin, which isn't vegan.

Vegan gummies in the US

These are commonly listed as gelatin-free and vegan. Recipes change, so check the bag.

Vegan gummies in Ireland and the UK

Several big UK brands have removed gelatine in the last decade.

Do vegan gummies taste different?

A little. Gelatin gives a long, elastic chew that bounces back. Pectin gummies are softer and more tender, starch gummies are denser and chewier, and agar gummies are firmer with a cleaner bite. Most people don't notice in sour or sugared gummies, where the coating does most of the work.

Are gummies vegetarian or halal?

• Vegetarian: only if they're gelatin-free. Vegetarian gummies may still use beeswax.
• Halal: halal gummies replace pork gelatin with beef gelatin, so they're suitable for people avoiding pork but not for vegans or vegetarians. Vegan gummies are generally suitable for both.

Gummy vitamins and supplements

Gummy vitamins and supplements often use gelatin too, and may contain vitamin D3 (usually from sheep's wool), beeswax or carmine. Some brands make pectin-based vegan versions and say so on the label. We only look at whether the ingredients are animal-derived; for advice on whether to take a supplement, speak to a pharmacist, doctor or registered dietitian.

Make your own vegan gummies

Homemade vegan gummies need just fruit juice, sugar and agar or pectin. As a starting point, bring 250 ml (1 cup) fruit juice, 2 tbsp sugar and 1 tsp agar powder to a boil, simmer for 2 minutes, pour into silicone molds and chill for 30 minutes. For a softer chew, use our lychee rose boba pistachio jelly method as a guide.

The bottom line

Assume a gummy contains gelatin until the label says otherwise. Look for pectin, starch or agar, a carnauba wax glaze and a vegan label, and you'll find plenty of vegan gummies in both the US and Ireland and the UK. For more, see the full vegan candy list.