Life Savers have been a classic candy choice for over a century, loved for their fruity flavors and refreshing taste. But for those following a vegan lifestyle, a question often arises: Are Life Savers vegan?
In this blog, we’ll quickly explore their ingredients, discuss grey-area additives, share brand statements, and suggest vegan-friendly alternatives.
Understanding Vegan Standards in Candy
Candy is considered vegan when it:
- Contains no animal-derived ingredients, like gelatin, milk derivatives, beeswax, or honey.
- Avoids animal processing aids, such as sugar filtered with bone char or animal-based stearic acid.
- Minimizes ethical concerns, including artificial colors tested on animals or ingredients linked to environmental harm like palm oil.
Ingredient Breakdown by Product Type
1. Life Savers Hard Candies
- Ingredients: Sugar, corn syrup, high-fructose corn syrup, citric acid, natural/artificial flavors, synthetic colors (Red 40, Yellow 5, Blue 1).
- Vegan status: Likely vegan. They don’t contain gelatin or obvious animal derivatives, but sugar refining practices may involve bone char, making it a grey area for strict vegans.
2. Life Savers Mints (Wint-O-Green, Pep-O-Mint, Spear-O-Mint)
- Ingredients: Sugar, corn syrup, natural flavors, stearic acid.
- Vegan status: Uncertain. Stearic acid may come from animal fat or plants, and the brand does not specify the source.
3. Life Savers Gummies
- Ingredients: Sugar, corn syrup, gelatin, citric acid, flavors, wax, colors.
- Vegan status: Not vegan, as they contain gelatin, which is derived from animal collagen.
Controversial Ingredients in Life Savers
- Sugar: Commonly refined with bone char in the U.S.
- Stearic Acid: Source (animal or plant) not disclosed.
- Natural Flavors: Unclear whether plant- or animal-based.
- Artificial Colors: Though synthetic, some undergo animal testing.
Official Statements & Brand Communication
According to reports from the Vegetarian Resource Group and other sources, Wrigley/Mars has confirmed that certain Life Savers mints use animal derived stearic acid. This makes these products unsuitable for strict vegans.
Final Verdict on Each Variety
Product Type | Vegan Status | Reason |
Hard Candies | Likely Vegan | No gelatin or stearic acid, sugar may be bone char refined |
Mints | Grey Area | Contains stearic acid, origin not specified |
Gummies | Not Vegan | Contains gelatin |
Vegan Friendly Alternatives to Life Savers
If you’re looking for similar sweet treats without animal ingredients, try:
- YumEarth Organic Hard Candies
- Surf Sweets Fruity Rings
- SmartSweets Plant-Based Gummies
- Newman’s Own Organic Mints
These alternatives avoid gelatin, bone char-processed sugar, and animal derived additives, making them safer for vegans.
Ethical Considerations Beyond Ingredients
- Palm oil sourcing: Linked to deforestation and habitat destruction.
- Animal testing: Artificial colors may be tested on animals.
- Environmental footprint: Packaging waste and non-sustainable production practices.
Conclusion
Life Savers are not always vegan. While hard candies might be acceptable to some vegans, mints are uncertain, and gummies are definitely non-vegan. Choosing certified vegan candies ensures you can enjoy sweet treats without compromising your values. In this blog, we’ve covered the facts to help you make an informed choice about Life Savers and vegan friendly alternatives.
FAQs about Life Savers and Vegan/Other Dietary Concerns
1. Which Life Savers are vegan?
Life Savers hard candies are the closest to being vegan since they do not contain gelatin or milk derivatives. However, sugar processing and flavor sources may not be fully vegan-friendly. Mints are uncertain due to stearic acid, and gummies are not vegan.
2. Does Life Savers have gelatin?
Life Savers gummies contain gelatin derived from animal collagen. Hard candies and mints do not list gelatin among their ingredients.
3. Do Life Savers contain eggs?
No, Life Savers products do not contain eggs.
4. Is Life Savers brand halal?
Life Savers gummies contain gelatin that may not be halal. Other varieties could be halal-friendly, but without certification, it’s uncertain.
5. Do Life Savers have milk?
No, Life Savers do not contain milk or dairy ingredients.
6. Is Life Savers gelatin halal?
The gelatin in Life Savers gummies is not certified halal and is generally derived from pork or beef, making it unsuitable for halal diets.
7. Do Life Savers have gluten or dairy?
Most Life Savers are gluten-free and dairy-free, making them safe for people with these allergies.
8. Are Life Saver Fruit Tingles vegan?
Fruit Tingles (a variant in some regions) may contain similar grey area ingredients like sugar and artificial colors, so they are not guaranteed vegan.
9. Are mint Life Savers halal?
Mint Life Savers contain stearic acid, which may be animal derived, and are not certified halal.
