With the rise of veganism and the growing demand for plant-based food options, many major candy companies have started offering vegan versions of their classic candy brands. Vegan candy is free from animal products like milk, eggs, gelatin, and other common non-vegan ingredients. For people with dietary restrictions or those looking to eat more ethically and sustainably, vegan candy provides delicious plant-based alternatives to traditional confectionery treats.
Why vegan candy matters
There are several reasons why vegan candy options are becoming more prevalent and important:
- Rising rates of veganism – More people are choosing to avoid animal products for ethical, environmental, or health reasons. Vegan candy meets this growing demand.
- Dietary restrictions – People with lactose intolerance, milk allergies, egg allergies, and gelatin sensitivities can enjoy vegan candy worry-free.
- Sustainability – Vegan candy has a lower environmental impact than candy containing milk, eggs, and gelatin from factory farms.
- Inclusiveness – Offering vegan candy makes events, parties, and holidays more welcoming for guests with various dietary needs or preferences.
Candy companies are taking notice and creating delicious plant-based options to make their brands accessible to more consumers.
Major candy companies making vegan candy
Here are some of the major players in the candy industry that now produce popular vegan candy and chocolate:
Mars
Mars is one of the largest privately held candy manufacturers, making billions in annual sales off brands like M&Ms, Snickers, Twix, 3 Musketeers, Milky Way, Skittles, and more. Many Mars candies are now available in vegan versions, including:
- Vegan M&Ms – no gelatin and artificial colors derived from animals
- Vegan Snickers – no dairy milk chocolate
- Vegan Twix – no milk chocolate or caramel
- Vegan Starburst – no gelatin
- Vegan Skittles – no gelatin
The Hershey Company
Known for chocolate bars like Hershey’s, Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, Kit Kats, and Jolly Ranchers, The Hershey Company offers the following vegan candy options:
- Vegan Hershey’s chocolate bars – no milk
- Vegan Kit Kats – no milk chocolate
- Vegan Jolly Ranchers – no gelatin
- Vegan Whoppers – no gelatin and milk derivatives
Nestlé
As one of the largest food companies worldwide, Nestlé produces many popular candy brands like Butterfinger, Baby Ruth, Raisinets, toll House, and more. Vegan options include:
- Vegan Butterfinger – no milk chocolate
- Vegan Baby Ruth – no milk chocolate or nougat
- Vegan Raisinets – no gelatin
Mondelēz International
This snack food conglomerate makes billion-dollar candy brands like Oreo, Sour Patch Kids, Swedish Fish, Toblerone, and Trident gum. The following vegan products are available:
- Vegan Oreos – no milk ingredients
- Vegan Swedish Fish – no gelatin
- Vegan Trident gum – no gelatin
Ferrero
Known for mass-market candies like Tic Tacs, Ferrero Rocher, and Nutella, Ferrero offers these vegan candies:
- Vegan Tic Tacs – no animal-derived ingredients
- Vegan Kinder chocolate – no milk
Haribo
Renowned for their gummy candies, Haribo now makes many products without gelatin, such as:
- Vegan gummy bears
- Vegan sour gummies
- Vegan goldbears
Smaller vegan candy companies
In addition to large international candy conglomerates, many smaller vegan candy companies have emerged, including:
- YumEarth – organic vegan candy, lollipops, mints
- Surf Sweets – vegan sour gummies
- Squish Candies – vegan marshmallows
- Hello Panda – vegan chocolate creme cookies
- MadeGood – vegan granola bars and snacks
- GoMaxGo Foods – vegan chocolate bars
These vegan-exclusive brands help meet demand and further innovation in the plant-based confectionery market.
Popular candy that is accidentally vegan
Interestingly, many classic candies happen to be vegan by coincidence, without intentionally formulated that way. These accidentally vegan candies include:
- Airheads
- Smarties
- Jujubes
- Sour Patch Kids
- Swedish Fish
- Lindt chocolate bars
Always check ingredients to confirm accidental vegan status, as formulations can change. But this demonstrates many candies are already plant-based or can easily be made vegan.
How companies are making candy vegan
Candy manufacturers are removing non-vegan ingredients and switching to vegan alternatives, including:
- Milk – almond, soy, oat, and coconut milk
- White sugar – unbleached cane sugar
- Gelatin – fruit pectin, agar, locust bean gum, or vegetable glycerin
- Confectioner’s glaze – plant-based wax like carnauba wax
- Beeswax – soy wax or vegetable wax
- Chocolate – dark chocolate or cocoa butter instead of milk chocolate
With plant-based formulations, candies can achieve the same taste and textures while being inclusive for vegan diets.
Trends driving vegan candy demand
The growth of vegan candy aligns with consumer trends like:
- Ethical eating – concern for animal welfare and sustainable ingredients
- Environmental awareness – reducing environmental impact of food
- Health-conscious lifestyles – reducing meat, dairy, and sugar
- Food allergies and sensitivities – dairy, egg, and gelatin allergies
- Flexitarian diets – part-time vegetarian or reducitarian eating
Candy companies recognize these trends are here to stay, leading them to invest in vegan candy options.
Benefits of vegan candy
Switching to vegan candy offers benefits including:
- Inclusive for multiple diets and ethically/environmentally conscious eaters
- Friendly for common food allergies and intolerances
- Uses more sustainable plant-based ingredients
- Avoids animal cruelty concerns in dairy, eggs, and gelatin
- Still delivers the traditional candy taste and experience
Vegan candy satisfies sweet cravings while aligning with modern values and diet preferences.
Finding vegan candy options
More vegan candy choices are hitting store shelves all the time. You can also find vegan candy at natural grocers, health food stores, specialty shops, and online. Be sure to check labels and contact companies to confirm ingredients if uncertain. Websites like PETA’s Vegan Candy List help identify brands to look for.
Conclusion
From small startups to candy giants, vegan confectionery options are increasing rapidly. Mars, Hershey’s, Nestlé, Mondelēz, Ferrero, Haribo, YumEarth, Surf Sweets, and more offer plant-based candies. The rise of ethical eating, food sensitivities, and flexitarian diets fuel this growth. With alternatives to milk, eggs, gelatin, and other animal ingredients, candy can remain just as delicious and nostalgic while including vegans in the fun.
