She Strengthens

Vegan Candy Lovers Rejoice: Skittles Are Animal-Friendly!

As a vegan, it can be tough to satisfy your sweet tooth without compromising your values. But fear not, candy enthusiasts! We’ve got some sweet news for you: Skittles are vegan!

What Makes Skittles Vegan?

To understand why Skittles are vegan, let’s take a closer look at what they’re made of. A vegan diet excludes any animal-derived products, including meat, fish, dairy, eggs, and lesser-known ingredients like gelatin, carmine, and egg whites.

The ingredients in original flavor Skittles are:

• Sugar: Refined from sugar cane stalks, this conventional white sugar is a staple in most candies.
• Corn Syrup: Also known as glucose syrup, it’s made from corn starch and serves multiple purposes in Skittles, including softening, adding volume, improving taste, and preventing sugar crystallization.
• Hydrogenated Palm Kernel Oil: This plant-based oil comes from the kernel of the oil palm plant and enhances flavor and texture.
• Citric Acid: Manufactured citric acid increases acidity, improves flavor, and preserves ingredients.
• Tapioca Dextrin: Derived from the yucca plant or cassava root, this starch extract acts as an adhesive candy coating and helps preserve flavor and color.
• Modified Corn Starch: This emulsifier and gelling agent made from corn contributes to Skittles’ signature gummy texture.
• Natural and Artificial Flavors: Although companies don’t disclose exact flavor details, it’s likely they come from natural fruit sources or are artificially created to mimic fruit flavors.
• Colors: Skittles’ bright hues come from artificial colors derived from petroleum, including Red 40 Lake, Yellow 5 Lake, and Blue 2 Lake, among others.
• Sodium Citrate: The sodium salt of citric acid, used as a preservative and providing a tart flavor.
• Carnauba Wax: Derived from the wax of the palm plant Copernicia prunifera, it keeps the outer coating shiny and prevents melting.

Other Skittles Flavors: What’s the Difference?

While other Skittles flavors, like Sour, Tropical, and Wild Berry, share similar ingredients, they may differ in natural and artificial flavorings and colors. Keep an eye out for these variations!

A Word of Caution: Limited Edition Flavors

It’s possible that Skittles might release a limited-edition flavor containing animal-derived ingredients. If you’re vegan, always read the ingredients list carefully before indulging.

Skittles’ Vegan History

Did you know that Skittles weren’t always vegan? Until around 2010, they contained gelatin, derived from animal collagen. Gelatin was removed, and later, carmine (a red coloring derived from beetles) was also eliminated from UK production in 2015.

Vegan Concerns: Refined Cane Sugar and Palm Oil

Some vegans might raise an eyebrow at two ingredients: refined cane sugar, which may be processed with animal bone char, and palm oil, which has environmental and animal welfare implications. While these concerns are valid, Skittles remain a vegan-friendly option.

There you have it – Skittles are officially vegan! Enjoy your favorite candies guilt-free, knowing they align with your values.