Chewy and fruity Starburst are colorful candies. However, if you have eliminated animal products from your diet, you may be wondering, are Starburst vegan? In this post I review everything you need to know about this fruity treat, so you can make an informed choice when it comes to grabbing a piece of this popular candy.
I get a lot of questions about whether or not certain foods, especially candy are vegan-friendly? In the past, I have answered…
- Are Sour Patch Kids Vegan?
- Are Oreos Vegan?
- Is Cocoa Powder Vegan?
- Are Rice Krispies Vegan?
- Vegan Halloween Candy
Today, I’m exploring the ever-so-popular candy, Starburst. Starburst is a popular chewy and fruity candy that has been around for decades made by the Wrigley Company. If you follow a vegan diet and want to indulge in a candy treat, reaching for a fruity candy might seem like a safe bet.
However, when you turn the package around to take a look at the ingredient list of many popular candies, you’ll see a long list that is difficult to decipher. After all, most mainstream candy companies do not add the “V” for vegan seal on the front of their products.
But before you reach for your favorite fruity flavored candy, there are a few ingredients you should look out for. Many artificial food colorings, preservatives, texture agents, and even sugars are not vegan. This brings us to the question at hand, are Starburst vegan?
Starburst Candy Ingredients
Let’s take a look at the ingredient list. It is interesting to note that Starburst made and sold in the United States has one significant ingredient difference than those that are made and sold in the United Kingdom.
US Starburst Ingredients
Ingredients: Corn Syrup, Sugar, Hydrogenated Palm Kernel Oil; Less than 2% of: Apple Juice from Concentrate, Citric Acid, Tapioca Dextrin, Natural and Artificial Flavors, Gelatin, Modified Corn Starch, Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C), Colors (Red 40, Yellow 6, Yellow 5.
As you can see Starburst is not full of healthy natural ingredients. But the most concerning ingredient for vegans is gelatin. Gelatin is made from the proteins and peptidesthat come from bones, connective tissues, and the skin of animals.
Therefore, Starburst that is made and sold in the US is not vegan.
UK Starburst Ingredients
Ingredients: Glucose Syrup, Sugar, Palm Fat, Concentrated Fruit Juices 1.4%* (Apple, Orange, Blackcurrant, Strawberry, Lime, Lemon), Acid Citric Acid, Modified Starch, Acid Malic Acid, Dextrin, Flavourings, Maltodextrin, Antioxidant Ascorbic Acid, Emulsifier Lecithin, Colours Anthocyanins, Beta-Carotene, Spirulina Extract,*Equivalent to 11,5% Fruit Juice.
Taking a look at the ingredients in the UK Starburst, you will notice one significant difference. They do not contain gelatin. So, does that mean that Starburst made in the UK is vegan?
The label on the UK version of Starburst indicates that they are suitable for vegetarians. There is not any added dairy to the UK Starburst, so by those accounts, Starburst made and sold in the UK is vegan friendly.
Controversial Ingredients
While it is with certainty we can say that Starburst made in the US are not vegan, and the label on the Starburst made in the UK says they are suitable for vegetarians, there are a few controversial ingredients in the UK version worth noting.
Palm Fat: Otherwise known as palm oil. Palm oil is not made from animal products, however, the process and production is not animal friendly. Rainforests are deforested to make room for crops, and as a result, animals lose their homes. The production of palm oil also leads to ethical concerns over the exploitation of workers, and child laborers. As a result, many vegans do not consider palm oil to be a vegan-friendly ingredient.
Glucose Syrup: In most cases, glucose syrup is made from the hydrolysis of corn starch. Although it is not specifically stated what type of starch the glucose comes from, it is most likely corn, so this ingredient would be considered vegan.
Sugar: White sugar is vegan friendly unless it’s been processed with bone char. This is a common practice in the US, not in the UK, so in this case, this sugar is likely vegan friendly.
Other Starburst Products
In addition to their popular square fruity chews, Starburst makes several other products including Starburst Minis, Starburst Gum, and Starburst Jelly Beans.
These products share similar ingredient lists to the original, but there are a few differences that are important to note.
Are Starburst Minis vegan?
Ingredients: Sugar, Corn Syrup, Palm Oil; Less than 2% of: Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate, Pectin, Apple Juice from Concentrate, Mono- and Diglycerides, Confectioner’s Glaze, Natural and Artificial Flavors, Colors (Yellow 6, Red 40, Yellow 5, Blue 1), Carnauba Wax.
Above is the list of ingredients in the US version of Starburst Minis. You will notice that the Starburst Minis do not contain gelatin. However, there is sugar, of course, and it is difficult to determine if the sugar is processed with bone char or not. Therefore, it is difficult to say with certainty that Starburst Minis are vegan.
In addition, artificial colors such as yellow 6, red 40, yellow 5, and blue 1, are tested on animals. Therefore, while they do not contain animal-derived ingredients, the fact that they are tested on animals does not make these ingredients vegan.
With all this in mind, Starburst Minis are not vegan!
Is Starburst gum vegan?
Ingredients: Xylitol, Gum Base, Acacia, Citric Acid, Soy Lecithin, Sorbitol, Aspartame, Malic Acid, Mannitol, Acesulfame K, Carnauba Wax, Sucralose, Fumaric Acid, BHT (to Maintain Freshness), Coloring (Includes Red 40 Lake)., Less than 2% of: Natural and Artificial Flavors.
Xylitol is a plant-derived sweetener, and carnauba wax is derived from a plant native to Brazil. However, the ingredient to be concerned about here is the food coloring, Red 40 Lake, which is likely tested on animals.
Whenever you see the words natural or artificial flavors on an ingredient list, beware. There are no regulations when it comes to using these words on an ingredient list, so it could be literally anything!
With this in mind, Starburst Gum is not vegan, if you are avoiding products that use ingredients that have been tested on animals.
Are Starburst Jelly Beans vegan?
Ingredients: Sugar, Corn Syrup, Modified Corn Starch, Less Than 2% of: Citric Acid, Acacia, Sodium Citrate, Apple Juice from Concentrate, Natural and Artificial Flavors, Confectioner’s Glaze, Carnauba Wax, Colors, Mineral Oil, Beeswax.
Confectioner’s glaze also known as shellac comes from secretions of insects. It is used to create a shiny coat on jelly beans and other candies. While it doesn’t sound as if it is non-vegan at first glance, it is derived from insects, and therefore, not vegan friendly.
You will note that the last ingredient listed is beeswax. Beeswax comes from the honeycomb of the honeybee. Since this ingredient is derived from animals, or in this case, insects, it is not considered vegan.
Therefore, Starburst Jelly beans are not vegan.
Are Starburst Gummies vegan?
Ingredients: Corn Syrup, Sugar, Modified Corn Starch, Water, Gelatin, Fumaric Acid; Less than 2% of: Lactic Acid, Citric Acid, Calcium Lactate, Natural and Artificial Flavors, Colors (Red 40, Yellow 5, Blue 1).
As with the original Starburst chews, the Starburst gummies contain gelatin, natural and artificial flavors, and artificial food coloring.
Starburst Gummies are not vegan.
FAQS
Does Starburst have gelatin?
The Starburst made in the United States does contain gelatin. However, the Starburst made in the UK does not contain gelatin. The packaging says that the candy is vegetarian-friendly.
Are Starburst dairy-free?
Yes, Starburst candies are dairy-free.
Vegan Alternatives to Starburst
These vegan products make for an excellent substitute for traditional Starburst candies and are easily available for purchase.
Torie and Howard Chewie Fruities
Made with organic ingredients, it’s gluten-free, non-GMO, and has no artificial flavors or colors. It’s also certified vegan, so you can feel better about indulging in this chewy fruit treat.
Lovely Organic Chewy Candies
Organic, gluten-free, non-GMO, no artificial ingredients, and vegan certified. Plus its Climate Pledge Friendly which means that it uses sustainable ingredients that helppreserve our Earth.
Yum Earth Organic Chewys
Organic, certified vegan ingredients, gluten-free, non-GMO, and free of the 8 most common allergens. With no artificial flavors, dyes, or high fructose corn syrup.
Final Thoughts
While Starburst made in the United States are not vegan friendly, there are several vegan and organic alternatives out there that will satisfy your sweet tooth. These treats still contain sugar but are made with natural food coloring that comes from actual fruits and vegetables. Enjoy them on occasion!
More helpful vegan tips!
- Vegan Halloween Candy (2023 Guide)
- Best Vegan Multivitamins for Women, Men, and Kids: 2023 Guide
- Is Honey Vegan? All Your Questions Answered
- 7-Day Vegan Weight Loss Meal Plan
If you have any additional questions, please comment below. You can also follow me onInstagram,Facebook, andPinterestfor more family-friendly plant-based vegan recipes!
