Is Sour Patch Kids Vegan? 

In today’s increasingly diverse dietary landscape, many individuals are adopting vegan lifestyles for ethical, health, and environmental reasons.

However, navigating the world of snacks and candies can be challenging, as seemingly innocent treats may contain hidden animal-derived ingredients. One popular candy that often sparks curiosity among vegans is Sour Patch Kids.

With their tangy and sweet flavor, these gummy candies have captured the taste buds of many, but are they suitable for those adhering to a vegan diet?

In this article, we will explore the vegan status of Sour Patch Kids, shedding light on the ingredients, processing methods involved, and healthy alternatives to help make an informed choice for conscious consumers.

What are sour patch kids? 

Sour Patch Kids are a popular brand of candy that has gained widespread recognition for their unique taste and texture.

These bite-sized treats are known for their distinctive sour coating, followed by a sweet and fruity flavor.

Sour Patch Kids are soft and chewy, shaped like small human figures, and come in various colors representing different fruit flavors such as raspberry, lime, pineapple, strawberry, orange, and mango etc. They also come in some exciting variants such as fire and chillers.

They offer a playful and enjoyable snacking experience, appealing to both children and adults alike.

With its contrasting flavors and addictive texture, Sour Patch Kids have become a beloved candy option for those seeking a sweet and sour treat.

What are the ingredients of sour patch kids? 

To determine whether the sour patch kids are vegan or not, the ingredients that are used to make this versatile chewing candy are listed below; 

• Citric acid
• Sugar 
• Inverted sugar
• Artificial and natural flavors 
• Modified corn starch 
• Tartaric acid 
• Cane syrup 
• Colors; yellow 6, red 40, blue 1, and yellow 5 

All these ingredients are vegan-friendly because they are derived from plant sources instead of animals. 

However, some ingredients like sugar, natural and artificial flavors and chewy texture are still controversial because different manufacturing companies use different components to make this tasty snack. 

Do sour patch kids contain gelatin? 

No, sour patch kids don’t contain gelatin instead, many manufacturing companies use sugar and cornstarch to give the candy a chewy texture. 

Gelatin is made by boiling the skin, tendons, and ligaments of cows and pigs which makes it a non-vegan product. So, many sour patch companies worldwide use alternative methods to give the candy a chewy texture. 

However, there are still some manufacturing companies that use gelatin as the main ingredient for making sour patch kids. 

Are sour patch kids vegan? 

No, sour patch kids are not completely vegan. This candy apparently, doesn’t contain Gelatin or any animal-derived ingredients. However, it is still not vegan-friendly.  

Ingredients like sugar, artificial and natural flavors, colors, etc that are used to make sour patch kids are not 100% plant-derived.

Are sour punch straws vegan? 

Yes, sour punch straws are vegan. Sour punch straws are made up of the same ingredients as other sour patch kids variants. But it differs in only one element, which is glycerin. 

Like other naturally derived ingredients, glycerin is derived from plant sources. So, it is vegan-friendly. 

Glycerin gives sour punch straws a perfectly soft and chewy texture which makes them an ideal snack for kids and adults. 

Are sour patch watermelons vegan? 

Yes, sour patch watermelon is vegan. This sweet & sour candy has a watermelon shape with watermelon flavor and smell. 

Sour patch watermelon contains an additional ingredient called titanium dioxide, a naturally occurring earth mineral. 

Unsurprisingly, titanium dioxide gives the candy a smooth, soft texture and enhances the storage period of these sweet gummies.

Why aren’t sour patch kids classified as vegan? 

When you buy a pack of sour patch kids, it has a list of ingredients. When you read the list of ingredients, it contains almost all plant-derived ingredients. Though, this candy is still not vegan-friendly.

According to some people, the artificial color, flavor, and sugar used to make these gummies are not 100% plant-derived ingredients. 

Ingredients 

Here are some ingredients of sour patch kids that makes this candy non-vegan; 

Gelatin 

Gelatin is made from tendons, ligaments, and the skin of animals like cows and pigs which makes it a non-vegan product. 

While buying a product, vegans search for the ingredients, and if it contains gelatin, they refuse to buy it, especially when purchasing puddings, jellies, candies, etc.

If we stick to the topic, gelatin is not an ingredient for sour patch kids. Many vegan companies use cornstarch and corn syrups to produce the chewy texture of the candy. 

However, different companies manufacture sour patch kids worldwide and use different ingredients for making the candy. So, we can’t say that they do not include gelatin.

Sugar 

Some vegans claim that sugar is a non-vegan ingredient because companies prefer to use bone char in the sugar refining process. 

That’s why they classified sour patch kids as non-vegan-friendly candies because sugar is a major ingredient that is used for making candies. 

That’s not 100% true because companies use inverted sugar to make candies, which is a combination of dextrose and fructose. So, gummies made from inverted sugar are vegan. 

Artificial colors and flavors 

Most companies use artificial flavors and colors to give these candies a yummy taste. 

To make different flavors of fruits, manufacturers use combinations of acids and esters, having a fruity smell and taste. For colors, manufacturers use other techniques. 

The artificial colors are tested on animals to see whether they cause any health issues. If these colors are not suitable for health, tumors appear in animals, and they die. 

Due to the testing of color on animals, vegans consider sour patch kids a non-vegan product. 

Why do vegans eat sour patch kids? 

Some vegans love to eat sour patch kids despite its controversial ingredients because of its unique flavor, sweet and tangy taste, and chewy texture. 

Secondly, there is no animal-derived ingredient in sour patch kids, which is a prominent reason why vegans eat this candy.

Is the sugar used in sour patch kids vegan friendly? 

It varies significantly because some companies use a cane sugar and beet mixture to give sour patch kids a sweet taste. However, some use sugar which contains bone char which is not a vegan-friendly product. 

Therefore, it is pretty difficult to decide whether the sugar used in sour patch kids is vegan-friendly or not. 

Is sour patch vegan dairy-free?

Yes, Sour Patch Kids are generally considered to be dairy-free. The ingredients typically found in Sour Patch Kids do not include any dairy or milk-based products.

The main components of these gummy candies are sugar, corn syrup, modified corn starch, and various fruit flavors. However, it’s important to note that the manufacturing processes and ingredients can vary between different brands or regional variations of Sour Patch Kids.

Therefore, it is always advisable to check the specific packaging and ingredient list to ensure that the particular batch or variety you are consuming is dairy-free, especially if you have dietary restrictions or allergies.

Frequently Asked Question

Wrap up 

While Sour Patch Kids are adored for their unique combination of sour and sweet flavors, they are not typically considered vegan. The potential use of bone char in the sugar refining process and the chewy texture of candy raises concerns for those following a vegan lifestyle. So, the individuals adhering to a vegan lifestyle are advised to review specific brands and manufacturing practices to make informed choices.