Halloween is just around the corner. Before we know it, we will be getting dressed up and eating all of our favorite candies. However, Halloween can be a tricky holiday for those who follow a vegan diet because they need to be sure that the candy they are consuming does not contain any animal products. SweeTarts are a popular Halloween candy, but are they safe for vegans to enjoy?
SweeTarts are considered vegan-friendly. However, depending on how strict you are with your vegan diet, there are some ingredients in SweeTarts that may be of concern for you. These include natural flavors, blue 1 lake, blue 2 lake, red 40 lake, and yellow 5 lake. The best vegan and healthier alternatives include YumEarth Organic Sour Beans and Wholesome DelishFish.
In this article, we will discuss the ingredients found in SweeTarts including the controversial ones, as well as healthy vegan candy alternatives. Let’s dig in!
Contents
Controversial Ingredients In SweeTarts
As previously mentioned, the ingredients in SweeTarts that may be controversial to some vegans are natural flavors, blue 1 lake, blue 2 lake, red 40 lake, and yellow 5 lake. Let’s take a look at what each of them are and why they can be considered controversial in the vegan community.
- Natural Flavors – Natural flavors can come from both plant or animal sources. While the natural flavors that are found in candy are often from plant sources, it is not always noted if they come from an animal source, which is why some vegans would not consider this to be a vegan-friendly ingredient.
- Blue 1 Lake – Blue 1 lake is a color additive. It is generally considered vegan, as it is made synthetically from petroleum, not animal products. However, blue 1 lake is often tested on animals to determine its safety. For this reason, some vegans would not consider this to be a vegan-friendly product.
- Blue 2 Lake – Blue 2 lake is an FDA-approved color commonly used to dye tablets and capsules. The same as blue 1 lake, blue to lake does not contain any animal products. It is, however, tested on animals, which may cause some vegans to avoid this product.
- Red 40 Lake – Red 40 lake is a water-soluble colorant used to color cosmetics and other personal care products. Just like the other colorants, red 40 lake does not contain any animal ingredients. It is made from petroleum byproducts or coal tar. What makes it controversial is that it is routinely tested on animals. Therefore, some vegans may not consider it to be vegan-friendly.
- Yellow 5 Lake – Yellow 5 lake is an FDA-approved color commonly used to give a lemon-yellow color to foods, drugs, and cosmetics. It is made artificially from petroleum, but it is tested on animals to confirm its safety. Therefore, it is a controversial ingredient among the vegan community.
Original SweeTarts
These are the ingredients found in the original SweeTarts:
- Dextrose
- Maltodextrin
- Malic acid
- Less than 2% of: calcium stearate, natural flavors, blue 1 lake, blue 2 lake, red 40 lake, and yellow 5 lake
Here is some important nutritional information to note for Original SweeTarts (per 13 pieces serving):
- Calories: 60
- Total fat: 0g
- Sodium: 0mg
- Total sugar: 13g
Chewy SweeTarts
Now we know that the original SweeTarts are considered to be a vegan-friendly candy. However, SweeTarts also come in a chewy version. Are those also vegan?
Unfortunately, all varieties of chewy SweeTarts contain egg albumen, which are more commonly known as egg whites. Eggs are an animal-derived product therefore they are not vegan.
These are the ingredients found in chewy SweeTarts:
- Dextrose
- Corn Syrup
- Hydrogenated Coconut Oil
- Maltodextrin
- Less than 2% of: malic acid, calcium stearate, egg albumen, natural flavors, mono and diglycerides, carnauba wax, blue 1 lake, blue 2 lake, red 40 lake, yellow 5 lake, yellow 6 lake
Here is some important nutritional information to note for chewy SweeTarts (per 40 pieces serving):
- Calories: 60
- Total fat: 0.5g
- Sodium: 0.5g
- Total sugar: 11g
Healthier Vegan-Friendly Candy Alternatives
If you are a vegan that has an issue with the controversial ingredients found in SweeTarts, do not worry. There are plenty of other vegan-friendly and healthy candy alternatives for you to enjoy this Halloween (and any other time of the year).
YumEarth Organic Sour Beans
This brand was created by families for families. Free from peanuts, gluten, tree nuts, milk, eggs, fish, shellfish, and soy, these candies are safe for anyone anywhere.
They are also colored and flavored with real fruit juice that is naturally delicious.
These are the ingredients found in YumEarth Organic Sour Beans:
- Organic cane sugar
- Organic brown rice syrup
- Pectin
- Organic tapioca starch
- Organic pear juice concentrate
- Citric acid
- Malic acid
- Natural flavors
- Ascorbic acid
- Acacia gum
- Saffron (color)
- Organic carnauba wax
- Colors from concentrate (carrot, blueberry)
- Organic colors from concentrate (carrot, radish, apple)
Here is some important nutritional information to note for this brand:
- Calories: 70
- Total fat: 0g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
- Sodium: 0mg
- Total carbs: 18g
- Total sugar: 15g
- Protein: 0g
YumEarth Organic Lollipops
Nothing takes us back to our childhood quite like a lollipop. Unfortunately, they are not always vegan-friendly. Luckily, vegans can now enjoy the sweet taste of nostalgia with these tasty and healthy lollipops.
These lollipops come in a variety of flavors and contain a healthy dose of vitamin c, which helps support a healthy immune system.
These are the ingredients found in YumEarth Organic Lollipops:
- Organic cane sugar
- Organic brown rice syrup
- Citric acid
- Ascorbic acid
- Natural flavors
- Concentrate (carrot, blackcurrant)
- Organic annatto (color)
Here is some important nutritional information to note for this brand (per 3 lollipops serving):
- Calories: 60
- Total fat: 0g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
- Sodium: 0mg
- Total carbs: 16g
- Total sugar: 17g
- Protein: 0g
Wholesome Organic DelishFish
There is nothing like an ooey gooey gummy candy. Unfortunately, many gummy candies are made with gelatin derived from pork or cow products. Luckily, Wholesome Organic DelishFish is an exception, as they are made with organic, vegan ingredients. They are also sweetened with organic cane sugar instead of high fructose corn syrup and free of all artificial colors and flavors.
In addition to being vegan, this brand is also gluten-free and kosher.
These are the ingredients found in Wholesome Organic DelishFish:
- Organic cane sugar
- Organic tapioca syrup
- Organic agave powder (organic agave, organic corn maltodextrin)
- Organic tapioca starch
- Organic tapioca dextrose
- Corn starch
- Organic apple juice concentrate
- Contains 1% or less of: natural raspberry flavor, citric acid, organic sunflower oil, sodium citrate, colored with extract (organic black carrot), organic carnauba wax
Here is some important nutritional information to note for this brand (per 5 pieces serving):
- Calories: 110
- Total fat: 0g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
- Sodium: 25mg
- Total carbs: 27g
- Total sugar: 20g
- Protein: 0g
Endangered Species Chocolate Bar
This bar is for the true chocolate lover. It is made from pure 88% cocoa dark chocolate and packs a rich chocolately flavor.
Not only is this bar vegan, but it is also gluten-free, non-GMO, and made from fair trade cocoa that can be traced back to fair trade farms in West Africa. It has only 3 grams of sugar per serving and gives 10% of its net profits to save wildlife. It is an all-around good treat.
These are the ingredients found in Endangered Species Chocolate Bar:
- Bittersweet chocolate (chocolate liquor, cane sugar, soy lecithin, vanilla)
Here is some important nutritional information to note for this brand (per 28g serving):
- Calories: 180
- Total fat: 13g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
- Sodium: 0mg
- Total carbs: 11g
- Total sugar: 3g
- Protein: 3g
Evolved Chocolate Coconut Butter Keto Cups
Reece’s Peanut Butter cups are a timeless classic loved by many. Unfortunately, they are not vegan-friendly as the chocolate contains dairy. Luckily, vegans can satisfy their craving with these coconut butter cups.
Made from high-quality, organic ingredients, this brand has no added or refined sugar and their chocolate is always gluten-free, dairy free, peanut free and soy free. In addition to being vegan-friendly, these cups are also keto and paleo.
These are the ingredients found in Evolved Chocolate Coconut Butter Keto Cups:
- Organic coconut butter
- Organic cacao
- Organic Jerusalem artichoke fiber
- Organic cacao butter
- Organic MCT oil
- Organic monk fruit extract
Here is some important nutritional information to note for this brand (per 1 cup serving):
- Calories: 130
- Total fat: 11g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
- Sodium: 5mg
- Total carbs: 6g
- Total sugar: <1g
- Protein: 1g
Unreal Dark Chocolate Covered Peanuts
These dark chocolate covered peanut gems are made in small batches with gluten-free ingredients and are certified vegan, fair trade, and non-GMO.
This brand only uses colors from all-natural veggies like spirulina and beets, and they have 15% less sugar than the leading brand.
These are the ingredients found in Unreal Dark Chocolate Covered Peanuts:
- Dark chocolate (chocolate liquor, cane sugar, cocoa butter, vanilla)
- Roasted peanuts (peanuts, peanut oil)
- Organic cane sugar
- Gum acacia
- Colored with beet juice and spirulina extract
- Organic tapioca syrup
- Carnauba wax
Here is some important nutritional information to note for this brand:
- Calories: 150
- Total fat: 10g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
- Sodium: 0mg
- Total carbs: 16g
- Total sugars: 13g
- Protein: 3g
Final Thoughts
Original SweeTarts are considered to be vegan. However, some of the colors found in SweeTarts can be tested on animals, which makes them controversial. Depending on how strict you are with your vegan diet, SweeTarts may or may not be an acceptable candy for you to enjoy.
Luckily, there are plenty of other healthy and vegan-friendly candy alternatives available on the market for you to enjoy like the ones mentioned in this article.
Related Questions
Are SweeTarts Gluten-Free?
Original SweeTarts are safe for a gluten-free diet. However, be aware that they are processed on the same machinery and in the same facility as other products that contain gluten. So, if you are highly sensitive to gluten or have celiac disease, you may want to avoid them anyway.
Are SweeTarts Keto?
It is recommended that SweeTarts be avoided on the keto diet because they are high in carbs and contain unhealthy ingredients like dextrose, blue 1 lake and maltodextrin.