Sour Patch Kids UK Vegan Status
The simple answer to the question ‘Are sour patch kids vegan?’ is no.
Sour Patch Kids are not vegan in the UK as the ingredients still contain gelatine.
However, in the US, Sour Patch Kids do not contain gelatine, so keep an eye on the ingredients list of every pack just to be sure.
Though there are many vegan sweets around that do contain ethically sourced ingredients, be aware that it’s not just the gelatine that makes Sour Patch Kids non-vegan.
Some of the other ingredients in Sour Patch Kids are also not considered suitable for vegans for a variety of reasons.
Sour Patch Kids Non-Vegan Ingredients UK
Gelatin
Used as an additive in many chewy sweets to create a jelly-like and chewy texture, gelatine is (unfortunately) one of the ingredients in Sour Patch Kids. Produced from cow hides, pig skins, animal bones and sometimes other animal parts, gelatin is truly grim and best to avoid if you’re sticking to a vegan lifestyle.
Palm Oil
Though palm oil itself is a vegetable product and so contains no animal products, the palm oil industry has some devastating practices that should not be taken lightly when it comes to the (ab)use of animals.
Some vegans will eat products that contain palm oil, as it is technically free of animal byproducts, but many vegans tend to avoid it. This is because it does not really fit with vegan ethics and morals. The choice is yours.
Cane Sugar
Cane sugar and vegan ethics can be a fiery topic. Some vegans may be inclined to avoid cane sugar due to the unethical treatment of workers and environmental concerns, whereas others may use it as an example of not letting "perfect be the enemy of good." Can we strive for absolute perfection in our lives or will that cause us to not be able to achieve anything?
Although cane sugar comes from a source that is not necessarily vegan friendly, the vegan lifestyle tends to promote avoiding products that come from sources that exploit or take advantage of their workers.
Animal Testing
Again, though gelatin is the only animal byproduct that makes it into the final Sour Patch Kids sweets, some of the dyes that are used have actually been tested on animals. This includes dyes like Red 40, Yellow 6, Yellow 5, and Blue 1. Though none of these dyes contain animal products, they are sometimes tested on animals. For many vegans, the lifestyle is about reducing the overall harm and exploitation of animals, not just avoiding animal byproducts.
This is why many vegans will not use beauty products that are tested on animals. Should the same apply to food?
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Plant-Based Considerations
If you manage to get hold of the US recipe Sour Patch Kids and are okay with eating them simply because they do not contain gelatin (so do not contain any animal byproducts) then you could be considered plant-based.
Though ideally we should try to avoid any ingredients that add to the exploitation and (ab)use of animals, being plant-based is still great for the planet, better for the animals and great for your health, so good for you! Your diet and lifestyle are strictly your choice, so eat as you see fit.
Vegan Sweets UK
Don’t worry, there are still plenty of options if you decide against the Sour Patch Kids and want to opt for a tasty vegan option. If you’re wondering which sweets you can eat, here are a few:
- Vegan Gummies: Fizzy Carrot vegan gummies are 100% vegan and 100% tasty.
- Skittles: As cochineal extract has now been removed from Skittles in the UK, most packs are now vegan-friendly.
- Rowntrees Jelly Tots: Surprisingly are not made with gelatin and contain no animal products.
- Millions: The Strawberry, Bubblegum, Cola and Blueberry flavours are all vegan-certified.
- Haribos Rainbow Laces: Most Haribos sweets contain gelatin, but these Rainbow Laces don’t! They are completely vegan-friendly.
- Love Hearts: All of the love and none of the animal products.
You can find a more in-depth breakdown of the best vegan sweets here
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FAQs
Are Sour Patch Kids really vegan? Sour Patch Kids are not vegan because they contain gelatin, which is an animal derived product, and if you follow a vegan lifestyle, you don't like that. However, other candies that may not contain gelatin or other animal-derived ingredients may be an option for vegans.
Are Sour Patch Kids really vegan? ›
By standard definitions, regular Sour Patch Kids candies are vegan because they don't contain animal products. However, the sugar in all of the Sour Patch Kids candies was likely, at least in part, processed with animal bone char. That may be reason enough for some vigilant vegans to abstain.
Are sour patch kid Oreos vegan? ›
These two accidentally vegan snacks have come together in a delightful way that features the best of both worlds: sweet vanilla cookies surrounding an Oreo classic creme flecked with pieces of Sour Patch Kids.
Does Sour Patch Kids test on animals? ›
Plus, Bree's Vegan Life also points out that some of the ingredients used in Sour Patch Kids like artificial food dyes are reportedly tested on animals. In the original Sour Patch Kids ingredients list, dyes Blue 1, Yellow 5, Yellow 6, and Red 40 are all listed.
Does Sour Patch Kids have gelatin or pork? ›
A thorough look at the ingredients list would tell you that Sour Patch Kids candies don't contain gelatin, a common non-vegan ingredient obtained from the skin, bones, ligament, and collagen of animals like cows and pigs. Gelatin is the ingredient responsible for making gummy treats bouncy, chewy, and rubbery.
Are Takis vegan? ›
Not all Takis flavors are vegan, as they contain animal ingredients, like milk or whey, in the recipe. But there are plenty of options that are totally animal-free. The original Fuego flavor, for example, which tastes like hot chili pepper and lime, is vegan.
Is red 40 vegan? ›
So, is Red 40 Vegan? Yes, despite common misconceptions, Red 40 is vegan because the ingredient is not animal-derived. Instead, Red 40 is made from petroleum byproducts or coal tar. With that said, Red 40, like all artificial colors, is routinely tested on animals.
Are Lady Gaga Oreos vegan? ›
For those who were not already aware that the classic Oreo cookie is vegan, we hope to have just made your day.
Are sour Jolly Ranchers vegan? ›
JOLLY RANCHER candies are not vegan. Are JOLLY RANCHER candies gluten free? JOLLY RANCHER products do not contain gluten ingredients. Always refer to each package for current ingredients and allergen statements to make an informed decision about Hershey products.
Are nerds Sour Patch Kids vegan? ›
Though there are many vegan sweets around that do contain ethically sourced ingredients, be aware that it's not just the gelatine that makes Sour Patch Kids non-vegan. Some of the other ingredients in Sour Patch Kids are also not considered suitable for vegans for a variety of reasons.
Twizzlers
Whether you choose classic strawberry, strawberry smoothie or the caramel apple filled twists, you can be sure that they are a vegan-friendly product.
Are Skittles vegan? ›
Most types of Skittles are considered vegan, but not all. While Skittles Classic Fruits, Skittles Sour, Skittles Tropical and Wild Berry Skittles are all currently suitable for vegans, some special editions such as the Once in a Blue Moon Skittles are not, as the blue skittles contain animal product derivatives.
Are Starburst vegan? ›
Starbursts were launched in the USA in 1967, and have since become hugely popular in the country. Unfortunately for American plant-based eaters, however, they feature gelatin in their ingredients. This means that they aren't suitable for vegans or vegetarians.
Are airheads vegan? ›
Airheads are nice and chewy.
All flavors of regular airheads, as well as Airhead Xtremes, are vegan. So, you can choose between sweet and sour flavors this Halloween.
Can Muslims eat Sour Patch Kids? ›
So, is Sour Patch halal? Taking the above into consideration, subject to the origin of the artificial colours and artificial flavors used, Sour Patch Kids is not made from animal product and is therefore a halal food.
Which candy is vegan? ›
Fortunately, loads of candies are vegan, so we can indulge our cravings (mostly) guilt-free. Most dark chocolate is vegan, as are popular sweet treats such as Smarties (known as Rockets in Canada), Oreos, Airheads, Jujubes, and Swedish Fish (some Swedish Fish contain beeswax, so be sure to check the label).
Does Sour Patch support Palestine? ›
The owner of Sour Patch Kids, Mondelez, invests in Israeli start ups in Occupied Palestine. Don't buy Sour Patch Kids products.
Are Skittles are vegan? ›
Most types of Skittles are considered vegan, but not all. While Skittles Classic Fruits, Skittles Sour, Skittles Tropical and Wild Berry Skittles are all currently suitable for vegans, some special editions such as the Once in a Blue Moon Skittles are not, as the blue skittles contain animal product derivatives.
Is gelatin vegan? ›
Gelatin is not vegan. However, there is a product called “agar agar” that is sometimes marketed as “gelatin,” but it is vegan.
