Quick Answer
No, original Lifesavers mints are gluten-free. Lifesavers do not contain any wheat, barley, rye or ingredients derived from these grains. The company states that their original mints are suitable for people with celiac disease or gluten sensitivities. However, some flavored Lifesavers products may contain gluten from added ingredients. Always check the label on flavored versions.
Ingredients in Original Lifesavers Mints
According to the Lifesavers website, the original pep-o-mint Lifesavers mints contain the following ingredients:
- Sugar
- Dextrose
- Adipic acid
- Natural and artificial flavors
- Mineral oil
- Carnauba wax
- Beeswax
- Soy lecithin (emulsifier)
- Colors added (blue 1 lake, red 40 lake, yellow 6 lake, yellow 6, yellow 5)
None of these ingredients contain gluten or are derived from gluten-containing grains like wheat, barley or rye. This means the original Lifesavers mints are considered gluten-free.
However, some flavored Lifesavers products contain additional ingredients that may include sources of gluten. For example:
- Lifesavers Gummies contain wheat-derived ingredients
- Some seasonal products contain wheat flour
- Some specialty items have wheat-derived ingredients like maltodextrin
So if you have celiac disease or a gluten sensitivity, it’s important to check the label of any Lifesavers product before consuming. Only the original mints are confirmed gluten-free.
Why Lifesavers Are Gluten-Free
There are a few reasons why regular Lifesavers mints don’t contain gluten:
- They are made without wheat, barley, rye or any derivatives of these grains.
- The factory where Lifesavers are produced is a dedicated gluten-free facility.
- The brand has strict protocols in place to avoid cross-contamination.
- Lifesavers are routinely tested for the presence of gluten.
Being produced in a dedicated gluten-free facility greatly reduces the risk of cross-contamination from other products. The brand also implements thorough equipment cleaning, product separation and employee training procedures to keep gluten exposure low.
Before being packaged, finished Lifesavers products undergo testing to verify they contain less than 10 parts per million (ppm) of gluten. This rigorous testing means Lifesavers can be considered gluten-free according to FDA standards.
Are Lifesavers Vegan?
Original Lifesavers mints are vegan. They do not contain any ingredients derived from animals.
The key animal-derived ingredients to look out for are:
- Dairy products like milk, butter, whey, casein, lactose
- Eggs
- Honey
- Gelatin
- Lanolin
- Carmine/carminic acid (red coloring from cochineal insects)
None of these animal-based ingredients are present in regular Lifesavers.
However, some seasonal and specialty Lifesavers products do contain non-vegan ingredients like gelatin or honey. Additionally, the Lifesavers gummy candies contain gelatin derived from cows or pigs.
So double check the full ingredients list if you need to avoid animal products. But the original hard mints are 100% vegan.
Are Lifesavers Halal?
Most Lifesavers products are halal certified, meaning they adhere to Islamic dietary regulations.
According to the Lifesavers FAQ, all flavors of their hard mints and gummies are certified halal. The certification indicates that these products:
- Do not contain pork or pork derivatives
- Were not produced with animal fats
- Adhere to halal food quality and preparation standards
The Islamic Food and Nutrition Council of America (IFANCA) has certified the following Lifesavers products as halal:
- Sugar-free hard mints
- Extra hard mints
- Jelly beans
- Gummies
- All flavors of regular hard mints
So most Muslims can enjoy Lifesavers, apart from certain specialty items. Those with halal dietary restrictions should look for the official halal certification symbol on the packaging to be sure.
Do Lifesavers Contain Xylitol?
Most Lifesavers are sugar-sweetened and do not contain xylitol. However, some varieties do include xylitol as a sweetener:
- Sugar-free hard mints
- Sugar-free gummies
- Some flavors of the Extra line, like Cool Mint chewing gum
These items contain xylitol as it’s a low-calorie sweetener that doesn’t cause a spike in blood sugar. It has a similar taste and texture to sugar while having fewer calories and a lower glycemic impact.
For most healthy adults, moderate amounts of xylitol are completely safe. But it can be dangerous for dogs, even in small quantities. Xylitol is toxic to dogs as their bodies cannot effectively metabolize it.
So keep any xylitol-containing Lifesavers well out of your pup’s reach. And carefully check the label if you have a dog before sharing.
Do Lifesavers Contain Gelatin?
Regular Lifesavers mints do not contain gelatin, making them suitable for vegetarians. Gelatin is an animal-based ingredient made from the bones, skin and connective tissue of cows and pigs.
However, some Lifesavers products do contain gelatin:
- Gummy candies
- Jelly beans
- Some specialty items
For example, the ingredient list for Lifesavers Gummies states: “Contains gelatin from bovine sources.” Bovine means cow.
So if you want to avoid gelatin for ethical or religious reasons, steer clear of the gummies and jelly bean varieties. The original hard mints are gelatin-free.
Are Lifesavers Kosher?
Most flavors of Lifesavers are certified kosher by OK Kosher Certification. Kosher foods conform to Jewish dietary regulations and laws.
To be kosher certified, Lifesavers:
- Do not mix meat and dairy
- Do not include certain non-kosher animals like pork or shellfish
- Are produced under rabbinical supervision
According to Lifesavers’ FAQ page, almost all of their hard and soft mints are OK Kosher certified, in addition to:
- Sour gummies
- Jelly beans
- Breath savers
- Pep-o-mint sticks
However, there are some exceptions:
- The Sugar-free Mini line is not kosher certified
- Some seasonal items also may not be certified. Check labels.
So those who follow a kosher diet can enjoy most varieties of Lifesavers, apart from some specialty products. Look for the OK Kosher symbol to verify it meets kosher standards.
Do Lifesavers Have Dairy or Milk?
Original Lifesavers mints are dairy-free and do not contain milk or other milk derivatives like lactose. This makes them safe for those with dairy allergies.
According to Lifesavers, their hard mints do not contain any milk, cream, butter or other dairy ingredients. They are produced in a dairy-free facility as well.
However, there are some Lifesavers items that do contain dairy:
- Some seasonal flavors with creme or chocolate
- Products listing “milk” in the ingredients
- Items with yogurt or caramel flavors
So if you have an allergy or vegan diet, avoid any Limited Edition or specialty flavors that may list dairy as an ingredient. Stick to the original mints to be safe.
You can contact Lifesavers directly if you need confirmation about whether a certain product contains milk or other dairy derivatives. But the classic mints are always dairy-free.
Do Lifesavers Have Nuts?
No, original Lifesavers mints do not contain any type of nuts, such as peanuts, almonds, walnuts or cashews. They are nut-free.
According to the FAQ on Lifesavers.com:
“None of our products contain peanuts or tree nuts. Lifesavers are produced in a nut-free facility.”
This makes them safe for those with peanut or tree nut allergies. They are produced on dedicated equipment in a strict nut-free environment.
However, flavors like Pralines ‘n Cream do contain nutty flavors from artificial flavorings, not actual nuts. And some seasonal specialty items may have nuts listed as ingredients.
So be sure to check labels of limited edition Lifesavers if you have a severe nut allergy. But the regular mints are guaranteed nut-free.
Do Lifesavers Have Soy?
The only soy-based ingredient in original Lifesavers is soy lecithin, an emulsifier. Soy lecithin is extracted from soybean oil.
According to the FDA, highly refined soy lecithin does not contain sufficient protein residues to trigger an allergic reaction in the majority of soy-allergic consumers.
Several food allergy organizations also generally recognize soy lecithin as safe, even for children with soy allergy.
But because it’s derived from soybeans, Lifesavers packages do have a “Contains soy” label as a warning to those with soy allergy.
Amounts may vary but a typical ingredient list contains about 0.1% soy lecithin. Most people with a soy allergy can tolerate small amounts with no issues. However, always check with your doctor.
And as with any product, if you have a severe soy allergy, it’s best to be cautious and avoid Lifesavers. But for minor soy sensitivities, the amount of soy lecithin is likely safe.
Do Lifesavers Have Corn?
Original Lifesavers do not contain corn or ingredients made from corn such as corn syrup. The ingredient lists just contain sugar as the sweetener.
However, there are some Lifesavers products that do contain corn-derived ingredients:
- Some seasonal specialty items with corn syrup
- Hard candy canes with corn syrup
- Gummy candies with corn syrup
So if you have an allergy or need to avoid corn for other reasons, stick to the classic Lifesavers mints. Contact the company if you need confirmation about corn in certain flavors.
Avoiding the gummies and seasonal items with corn syrup will keep your exposure low. But regular Lifesavers pep-o-mint do not contain corn.
Do Lifesavers Have Dyes or Colors?
Yes, original Lifesavers do contain artificial coloring agents:
- Blue 1 Lake
- Red 40 Lake
- Yellow 5
- Yellow 6
- Yellow 6 Lake
These artificial food dyes give Lifesavers their signature colors. They serve no nutritional purpose but are added solely for appearance.
Some people may experience adverse reactions to artificial coloring such as hyperactivity in children or headaches in sensitive adults.
If you wish to avoid artificial dyes, choose the color-free Lifesavers varieties:
- Sugar-free mints
- Extra mints
- Pure peppermint mini mints
These options do not contain any added coloring agents. But the regular Lifesavers do list artificial dyes as ingredients.
Do Lifesavers Have Preservatives?
Original Lifesavers do not contain any chemical preservatives. They do not include:
- Sorbates like potassium sorbate
- Benzoates like sodium benzoate
- Sulfates like potassium sulfate
- Parabens like methylparaben
Lifesavers achieve a long shelf life and stability through careful product engineering, not by adding synthetic preservatives.
Factors like low moisture content, no water activity, and the properties of the other ingredients help naturally preserve the mints. The wrappings also protect the candies from deterioration.
However, some specialty flavors may include preservatives, especially items with fruit flavors, fillings or chocolate. Check labels of limited editions for problematic preservatives if you wish to avoid them.
Conclusion
In summary, original Lifesavers pep-o-mint mints are:
- Gluten-free and wheat-free
- Vegan and non-dairy
- Free of nuts, corn and other major allergens
- Halal and kosher certified
- Free of chemical preservatives
Other varieties may differ, so check labels carefully if avoiding certain ingredients. Contact the manufacturer directly with any pressing allergen questions.
But Lifesavers remain a nostalgic treat many can enjoy, thanks to their simplicity and lack of common dietary irritants. Apart from the artificial colors, they are relatively clean and hypoallergenic.
Just stick to the classic mints if you have food restrictions. Their old-fashioned formula minimizes ingredients that cause problems. And always supervise young children to prevent choking hazards with the small hard candies.
Otherwise, feel free to enjoy these gluten and allergen-free icons of candy history, as long as your diet allows. Just be mindful of excess sugar intake from candy in general. In moderation, Lifesavers can be an uncontroversial, safe and tasty treat.
