February 13, 2021
With their bright colours, tastebud tingling flavour and array of shapes and sizes, it would be easy to assume that all sweets are suitable for vegans. Afterall, how can something so sweet contain any animal products?
In fact, you may be surprised to learn that many sweets actually have animal derivatives in their ingredient lists. For example, gelatine is used to create a gummy texture in chewy sweets such as jelly babies or gummy bears, whilst beeswax can be added to some sweet treats to give them a glossy shine. Not to mention that some colourings actually contain ground up beetles, known as cochineal!
Therefore if you've recently become a vegan, or you're shopping for sweet themed gifts for a vegan, ensure you double check the ingredients of the candies.
According to the Vegan Society, the number of vegans in the UK quadrupled between 2014 to 2019. (https://www.vegansociety.com/news/media/statistics#:~:text=please%20visit%20here.-,Veganism%20in%20the%20UK,150%2C000%20(0.25%25)%20in%202014.)
This figure continues to rise, and as more and more people turn to a plant-based diet the number of vegan sweets available on the market is soaring. So, with a bit of help, it's quite easy to discover vegan sweets which are suitable for those who follow a plant-based diet.
What sweets are vegan, we hear you ask... Take a look through this blog post to discover some of our favourite vegan friendly sweets - and why not try them for yourselves!
And if your favourite isn't listed here, the below list provides a breakdown of some ingredients to look out for:
All these sweets listed in this article are available in most food retailers and supermarkets, so you shouldn’t struggle to find them. You can also find some of these sweets in our vegan sweet hamper and gift collections.
OUR TOP VEGAN SWEETS
Jelly Tots
Beloved by kids and adults alike, these tiny, sugar coated gummies are 100% vegan friendly. In five tasty, fruity flavours, these little circles of jelly are sure to satisfy any sweet tooth, vegan or not!
Sherbert Lemons
With a lemony zing and a sharp sherbet filling, these pick 'n' mix staples contain no animal products and are therefore suitable for vegans.
Millions
Another tiny sweet which packs a punch, these little spheres of joy are completely vegan friendly.
Refresher Bar
This delicious classic is full of flavour, and also 100% vegan - in fact, most of the Swizzles brand of sweets and candies are vegan friendly, including another retro favourite, Love Hearts.
Skittles
Vegans rejoice as you can be safe in the knowledge that Skittles contain no animal products or derivatives. Tasting the rainbow never felt so good!
Of course, as well as your sweet shop favourites, there is also a range of specifically vegan friendly sweet brands:
Candy Kittens
From the outset, these gourmet sweets have always been vegetarian, but did you know that five of their flavours are completely vegan too?
The Conscious Candy Company
From lollipops and laces to pick 'n' mix favourites, this company's range is completely vegan friendly!
Biona
This organic food retailer has its own range of delicious gummy sweets which are suitable for vegans.
Check out our range of vegan friendly sweet hampers, vegan sweet boxes and more here.