Skittles are one of the most popular fruit-flavored candies, but their vegan status is a little more complicated than it looks.
While most regular Skittles do not contain obvious animal-derived ingredients, some products, such as Skittles Gummies, contain gelatin.
This guide explains the main Skittles ingredients and which varieties are vegan.
Skittles Ingredients
Regular Skittles are made mainly from sugar, corn syrup, and hydrogenated palm kernel oil, which create their sweet taste and chewy texture.
The current U.S. Original Skittles formula also contains small amounts of citric acid, tapioca dextrin, modified corn starch, natural and artificial flavors, sodium citrate, carnauba wax, and several food colors.
One important point is that ingredients can vary between Skittles products. For example, regular Original Skittles do not currently list gelatin, while Skittles Gummies contain gelatin as an ingredient.
Are Skittles Vegan?
Most regular Skittles are considered vegan based on their current ingredient lists. Original Skittles sold in the U.S. do not list gelatin, dairy, carmine, or other obvious animal-derived ingredients.
However, not every Skittles product is vegan. Formulas can also vary by product and country. So it's best to check the ingredient label on the specific Skittles variety before buying.
Which Skittles Are Vegan?
Original Skittles
Original Skittles are vegan. Their current U.S. ingredient list includes sugar, corn syrup, hydrogenated palm kernel oil, citric acid, starches, flavors, food colors, sodium citrate, and carnauba wax, with no gelatin or dairy listed.
Wild Berry Skittles
Wild Berry Skittles are also vegan based on their current ingredients. They contain sugar, corn syrup, hydrogenated palm oil, citric acid, tapioca dextrin, modified corn starch, flavors, colors, sodium citrate, and carnauba wax, without gelatin or dairy in the listed formulation.
Sour Skittles
Sour Skittles are vegan based on their ingredients. Their current formulation does not list gelatin or dairy ingredients, making them suitable for most people following a vegan diet.
Skittles Gummies
Skittles Gummies are not vegan. Unlike traditional chewy Skittles, the current U.S. gummy formula contains gelatin, which is derived from animal collagen. This applies to Original Skittles Gummies, and you should also check other gummy varieties for gelatin.
The Verdict
Most regular Skittles, including Original, Wild Berry, and Sour Skittles, are vegan based on their current U.S. ingredient lists because they do not contain gelatin, dairy, or other obvious animal-derived ingredients.
Skittles Gummies are the main exception because they contain gelatin and are not vegan. Since recipes can change and vary by country, always check the ingredient label before buying if you want to be sure a specific Skittles product fits your vegan diet.
FAQs
Do Skittles Still Have Gelatin?
Regular Skittles do not currently contain gelatin, but Skittles Gummies do contain gelatin and are not vegan.
Is Skittles vegan in the USA?
Yes, most regular Skittles sold in the USA are considered vegan based on their current ingredients, but Skittles Gummies are an exception.
Are Skittles all the same flavor?
No. Skittles come in different fruit flavors, and the flavor mix varies by product, such as Original, Wild Berry, and Sour Skittles.
Are M&M's Vegan?
No. M&M's are not vegan because they contain milk and other dairy-derived ingredients.
Are Skittles Vegan?