Jolly Ranchers are a beloved candy known for their bold flavors and variety of textures. From tangy hard candies to chewy gummies, there’s something for every sweet tooth.
Owned by the Hershey Company, Jolly Ranchers remain a popular choice for candy lovers. But if you’re following a vegan lifestyle, you might be wondering if they’re vegan.
The short answer is that most Jolly Rancher products are vegan-friendly, but there are exceptions.
Let’s break down the ingredients, flavors, and product varieties to help you make an informed choice.
Controversial Ingredients to Consider
Before diving into specific Jolly Rancher products, it’s important to address a few controversial ingredients that appear in many candies, including Jolly Ranchers.
Sugar
Sugar is one of the most debated ingredients in the vegan community. Refined cane sugar is often processed with bone char (made from animal bones) to achieve its white color. While there are no traces of bone char in the final product, the production method makes some vegans uncomfortable.
Unfortunately, it’s not always clear whether the sugar used in Jolly Ranchers has been processed with bone char, so this remains a gray area for strict vegans.
Artificial Colors
Artificial food colorings, such as Red 40 or Blue 1, are technically synthetic and do not contain animal products. However, they are often tested on animals, which raises ethical concerns for some vegans.
Natural and Artificial Flavors
Flavorings can come from either plant or animal sources. In most candies, they are plant-based, but without explicit labeling, it can be hard to know for sure.
For the purposes of this article, we’ll assume these ingredients are vegan unless explicitly stated otherwise.
Which Jolly Rancher Products Are Vegan?
Here’s a breakdown of various Jolly Rancher products and their vegan status:
Jolly Rancher Hard Candy
The original Jolly Rancher Hard Candy is vegan-friendly. None of the listed ingredients are derived from animals, and even the controversial ones (like sugar and colors) are generally considered acceptable by most vegans.
Popular Flavors:
- Watermelon
- Green Apple
- Blue Raspberry
- Grape
- Cherry
- Fruity Bash
- Fruit ‘n Sour
- Cinnamon Fire
- Awesome Reds
- Sour Surge
- Sugar-Free Varieties (Watermelon, Raspberry, Grape, and Apple)
Ingredients:
Corn Syrup, Sugar, Malic Acid, Natural and Artificial Flavors, Artificial Colors (Red 40, Yellow 5, Blue 1, Yellow 6), Mineral Oil, Lecithin.
Jolly Rancher Jelly Beans
Good news—Jolly Rancher Jelly Beans are vegan-friendly! Unlike many jelly beans that contain gelatin or confectioner’s glaze, these candies don’t use animal-derived ingredients.
Ingredients:
Sugar, Corn Syrup, Cornstarch, Sodium Lactate, Lactic Acid, Malic Acid, Natural and Artificial Flavors, Gum Acacia, Limonene, Mineral Oil, Carnauba Wax, Artificial Colors (Red 40, Yellow 5, Blue 1, Yellow 6), Lecithin, BHT.
Jolly Rancher Lollipops
These lollipops have a similar ingredient list to the Hard Candy and are vegan-friendly.
Ingredients:
Sugar, Corn Syrup, Malic Acid, Sodium Lactate, Natural and Artificial Flavors, Artificial Colors (Red 40, Yellow 5, Blue 1, Yellow 6), Lecithin, BHT.
Jolly Rancher Awesome Twosome Chews
The Awesome Twosome Chews are vegan-friendly, as they contain no gelatin or other animal-derived ingredients.
Ingredients:
Corn Syrup, Sugar, Enriched Wheat Flour, Vegetable Oil (Palm Kernel, Palm, Soybean), Citric Acid, Modified Potato Starch, Glyceryl Monostearate, Natural and Artificial Flavors, Artificial Colors (Red 3, Red 40, Yellow 5, Yellow 6, Blue 1, Blue 2), Carrageenan, Potassium Sorbate.
Jolly Rancher Misfits 2-in-1 Gummies
These gummies are also vegan-friendly, as they don’t contain gelatin. Instead, they use modified cornstarch to achieve the gummy texture.
Ingredients:
Sugar, Corn Syrup, Modified Cornstarch, Malic Acid, Natural and Artificial Flavors, Sodium Citrate, Mineral Oil, Carnauba Wax, Artificial Colors (Red 40, Yellow 5, Blue 1, Yellow 6).
Which Jolly Rancher Products Are NOT Vegan?
Unfortunately, some Jolly Rancher products do contain gelatin, which is derived from animal collagen and is unsuitable for both vegans and vegetarians.
Jolly Rancher Sour Bites
These sour candies include gelatin, making them unsuitable for vegans.
Ingredients:
Corn Syrup, Sugar, Gelatin, Modified Food Starch, Malic Acid, Pectin, Natural and Artificial Flavors, Artificial Colors (Red 40, Yellow 5, Blue 1).
Jolly Rancher Crunch ‘n Chew
These candies also contain gelatin, making them non-vegan.
Ingredients:
Sugar, Corn Syrup, Palm Oil, Malic Acid, Gelatin, Natural and Artificial Flavors, Artificial Colors (Red 40, Yellow 5, Blue 1, Yellow 6).
Jolly Rancher Chews (Original)
The original Chews contain gelatin and are not vegan.
Ingredients:
Sugar, Corn Syrup, Palm Oil, Malic Acid, Gelatin, Natural and Artificial Flavors, Artificial Colors (Red 40, Yellow 5, Blue 1, Yellow 6), Lecithin.
Final Thoughts
If you’re a vegan with a sweet tooth, Jolly Ranchers offers a variety of options for you to enjoy. Most of their products, including the classic Hard Candy, Jelly Beans, and Misfits Gummies, are vegan-friendly.
However, some products, such as the Sour Bites, Crunch ‘n Chew, and Original Chews, contain gelatin and are not suitable for vegans or vegetarians. To be safe, always check the ingredient list before indulging.
For a guaranteed vegan option, stick to the classic Jolly Rancher Hard Candies—they’re a reliable choice for plant-based eaters!
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there gluten in Jolly Ranchers candy?
While Jolly Ranchers do not contain gluten ingredients, they aren’t officially certified gluten-free. Always check the packaging to be certain.
Is Jolly Rancher candy suitable for vegans?
Most Jolly Rancher candies, including Hard Candy, Jelly Beans, and Misfits Gummies, are vegan-friendly. Avoid varieties that contain gelatin, like Sour Bites or Crunch ‘n Chew.
Is Jolly Rancher kosher?
Some Jolly Rancher candies are kosher-certified. Look for the official kosher symbol on the packaging to confirm.
