Lifesavers have been a favorite American candy for over a century. Their iconic ring shape, resembling a life preserver, is instantly recognizable. But if you follow a vegan lifestyle, you may be wondering if they’re suitable for you.
While some Lifesavers varieties are vegan, others include questionable or non-vegan ingredients.
This guide will walk you through the ingredients in different Lifesavers products, discuss controversial ingredients, and answer common questions so you can make informed choices.
Are There Controversial Vegan Ingredients in Lifesavers?
Candy often contains ingredients that spark debate in the vegan community. Lifesavers are no exception.
Below are some of the most common controversial ingredients found in Lifesavers, along with their potential issues:
1. Palm Oil and Palm Fat
Palm oil and palm fat are technically plant-based but are often criticized for their environmental impact. Harvesting palm oil can lead to deforestation, destruction of animal habitats, and harm to wildlife.
2. Sugar
Sugar itself is plant-based, but some refined sugar is processed using bone char (carbonized animal bones) to achieve a white color. While there’s no way to confirm whether Lifesavers use bone char-filtered sugar, this is something cautious vegans may want to consider.
3. Artificial Colors
Artificial colorings like Red 40, Yellow 5, and Blue 1 are often tested on animals. Although the colors themselves are synthetic, their association with animal testing can make them problematic for strict vegans.
4. Artificial and Natural Flavorings
Flavorings can be derived from either plant or animal sources. While candy flavorings are usually plant-based, it’s difficult to know the exact origin unless specified.
Lifesavers Products: Vegan vs. Non-Vegan
Let’s take a closer look at the ingredients in different Lifesavers varieties to determine their vegan status.
1. Lifesavers Hard Candies
Good news! All Lifesavers Hard Candies are considered vegan-friendly. While they contain some controversial ingredients, such as artificial colors and sugar, they do not include any direct animal products.
Ingredients in Lifesavers Hard Candies:
- Sugar-Free 5 Flavors: Isomalt, Citric Acid, Natural and Artificial Flavors, Sucralose, Colors (Red 40, Yellow 5, Blue 1).
- 5 Flavors: Sugar, Corn Syrup, High Fructose Corn Syrup, Citric Acid, Natural and Artificial Flavors, Colors (Red 40, Yellow 5, Blue 1).
- Butter Rum: Sugar, Corn Syrup, High Fructose Corn Syrup, Molasses, Salt, Dextrose, Natural and Artificial Flavors, Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil (Palm Kernel and Cottonseed Oils), Vinegar, Caramel Color.
2. Lifesavers Mints
Lifesavers Mints may or may not be vegan, depending on your stance on stearic acid. This ingredient can be derived from animal, synthetic, or plant sources.
Candy manufacturers often use plant-derived stearic acid, but without confirmation, cautious vegans may want to avoid these.
Ingredients in Lifesavers Mints:
- Wint O Green, Pep O Mint, and Spear O Mint: Sugar, Corn Syrup, Artificial Flavor, Stearic Acid.
- Sugar-Free Wint O Green and Pep O Mint: Sorbitol, Natural and Artificial Flavors, Magnesium Stearate, Aspartame (Sweetener).
3. Lifesavers Gummies
Unfortunately, all Lifesavers Gummies are not vegan. They contain gelatin, a protein derived from boiling animal bones, skin, and ligaments, which makes them unsuitable for both vegans and vegetarians.
Ingredients in Lifesavers Gummies:
- 5 Flavors: Corn Syrup, Sugar, Water, Modified Corn Starch, Gelatin; Less Than 2% of: Citric Acid, Natural and Artificial Flavors, Mineral Oil, Colors (Red 40, Yellow 5, Blue 1), Carnauba Wax.
- Collisions, Assorted Sours, and Wild Berries: All varieties contain gelatin and similar non-vegan ingredients.
Final Thoughts
As a vegan, navigating Lifesavers options can be tricky. While the Hard Candies are considered vegan-friendly, they do include controversial ingredients like sugar and artificial colors, which may not align with every vegan’s values.
The Mints are a gray area due to the uncertain origin of stearic acid, and the Gummies are definitively non-vegan due to gelatin.
If you’re looking for vegan candy, Lifesavers Hard Candies are your best bet, but it’s always worth exploring other plant-based options if you’re concerned about controversial ingredients.
For more vegan candy guides, check out our website and satisfy your sweet tooth the plant-based way!
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Those with a Dairy Intolerance Eat Lifesavers?
Yes, Lifesavers do not contain dairy ingredients, making them dairy-free. However, there’s no guarantee against cross-contamination during manufacturing, so proceed with caution if you’re highly sensitive.
Are Lifesavers Hard Candy Gluten-Free?
Lifesavers Hard Candies do not contain gluten-based ingredients, but they lack official gluten-free certification. Be cautious if you have severe gluten intolerance due to potential cross-contamination.
Are Lifesavers Gummies Gluten-Free?
While Lifesavers Gummies don’t list gluten-based ingredients, they also lack certification. Cross-contamination may be a concern.
Are Lifesavers Kosher?
Lifesavers do not have kosher certification. While some online sources claim that Lifesavers Mints are kosher, there’s no official confirmation from the manufacturer.
Are Lifesavers Peanut-Free?
Lifesavers do not list peanuts or nuts as ingredients, but without certification, there’s a possibility of cross-contamination during production. Those with severe peanut allergies may want to avoid them.
