Halloween is all about the candy, and most people grab whatever is on sale without a second look. But some of the most popular sweets contain animal ingredients you might not expect, from gelatin to crushed insects. The good news is that plenty of candy is vegan-friendly, and once you know what to look for, checking a label takes seconds.
Which animal ingredients hide in candy?
These are the ones that show up most often:
- Gelatin: made from animal collagen, usually from skin and bones. It gives gummies, marshmallows and some chewy candies their bounce.
- Carmine (cochineal extract): a red dye made from crushed cochineal insects, used in some red and pink candies.
- Shellac, or "confectioner's glaze": a resin secreted by lac insects, used to give jelly beans and coated candies their shine.
- Beeswax: sometimes used as a glaze or anti-sticking agent.
- Milk ingredients: milk, butter, cream, whey and casein in chocolate, caramels and nougat.
- Some "natural flavors": these can come from animal sources, and labels do not have to say which. Read more in what are natural flavors?
How do you check whether candy is vegan?
- Read the ingredient list, every time. Recipes change, and the same brand can use different ingredients in different countries or in seasonal shapes and sizes.
- Look for carmine by name. US food labels must list carmine or cochineal extract by name rather than lumping it in with other colors, so it is easy to spot.
- Check the allergen statement. Milk is a major food allergen, so US labels must declare it, usually in a "Contains" line under the ingredients.
- Look for a vegan certification mark. Certified vegan logos take the guesswork out, including for ingredients like natural flavors.
- When in doubt, ask. Most candy makers will tell you by email or on their website whether a product is vegan.
What about sugar?
Some cane sugar is filtered through bone char, charred animal bone, to whiten it. The sugar itself contains no animal product and labels do not say how it was processed, so strict vegans often look for candy made with organic sugar, beet sugar or a vegan certification. Whether to worry about it is a personal call.
Which kinds of candy are most often vegan?
Many hard candies, lollipops, fruit chews, taffy-style candies and licorice twists are made without animal ingredients, and dark chocolate without added milk can be vegan too. Gummies, marshmallows, caramels, milk chocolate and anything with a glossy coating are the ones to check most carefully. Specialty brands also make organic, allergy-friendly and certified vegan candy, which is a good option if you want to cater to trick-or-treaters with dietary restrictions.
Can you make healthier Halloween treats at home?
If you would rather skip the store-bought candy, homemade treats let you control exactly what goes in. Protein balls, date-based bars and dark chocolate bark are easy to make and easy to share. Browse our plant-based recipes for ideas, and for more on cutting back on sweets, read the science behind your sugar addiction. Happy Halloween!
