If you're a vegan, vegetarian, or someone who carefully reads food labels, you’ve likely paused in the candy aisle wondering: “Are Mike and Ikes vegan?” It’s a fair question. At first glance, Mike and Ikes seem harmless. There’s no gelatin, no dairy, and they’re marketed as fruit-flavored treats. But hidden ingredients can complicate things.
In this blog, we discuss the full breakdown of Mike and Ike ingredients, whether they align with a vegan lifestyle, and offer some truly vegan-friendly alternatives.
What Is Mike and Ikes?
Mike and Ike is a popular brand of chewy, fruit-flavored candy manufactured by Just Born, Inc. These candies come in a variety of mixes, including Original Fruits, Tropical Typhoon, Mega Mix, Root Beer Float, and Sour Lemonade. Known for their bright colors and tangy-sweet flavor, they’ve been a go-to treat since the 1940s.
But being sweet and chewy doesn’t necessarily mean they’re vegan-safe.
Mike and Ikes Ingredient List
A typical Mike and Ike ingredient list includes:
- Sugar
- Corn Syrup
- Modified Food Starch
- Citric Acid
- Artificial and Natural Flavors
- Red 40, Yellow 5, Yellow 6, Blue 1
- Confectioner’s Glaze (Shellac)
- Carnauba Wax
On the surface, it appears animal-free. There’s no gelatin, no milk powder, and no egg albumin. However, some ingredients raise questions when examined through a vegan lens.
Why Mike and Ikes Are Often Not Considered Vegan
1. Confectioner’s Glaze (Shellac)
Shellac is made from the secretions of the lac beetle. While the beetles aren't necessarily killed, many ethical vegans avoid shellac due to the insect exploitation involved. It gives the candy its shiny coating but comes at a moral cost.
2. Bone Char in Sugar Refining
While sugar itself is plant-based, many U.S. manufacturers refine cane sugar using bone char, a carbon material made from animal bones. Since Just Born Inc. doesn’t disclose whether its sugar is bone-char processed, this makes the product questionable for strict vegans.
3. Artificial Colors
Dyes like Red 40 and Yellow 5 are lab-created and not derived from animals. However, they are frequently tested on animals for safety, which many vegans view as unethical.
Why Some Consider Mike and Ikes Vegan?
For more flexible vegans, Mike and Ikes might pass the test:
- They don’t contain direct animal ingredients such as gelatin, carmine (Red 4), or dairy.
- Carnauba wax is a plant-based wax.
- Some consider shellac and bone-char refined sugar to be gray areas and choose to overlook them.
So technically, the candies are not made with animal products, but they may still conflict with the ethical values of many vegans.
Are Mike and Ikes vegan?
The answer depends on how strict your definition of veganism is.
Strict vegans will likely avoid them due to:
- Shellac (insect-derived)
- Sugar processed with animal bone char
- Artificial dyes are tested on animals
Liberal vegans or those focused primarily on avoiding animal flesh and dairy may still consider Mike and Ikes acceptable.
Best Vegan Alternatives to Mike and Ikes
If you’re on the hunt for fully vegan chewy candies, try these instead:
- YumEarth Organic Chewys: Made with organic, vegan ingredients.
- Surf Sweets Fruity Bears: Plant-based and allergen-friendly.
- Smarties: Vegan, simple, and sweet.
- Skittles: Now free from gelatin and carmine.
- DIY Agar-Agar Fruit Chews: Perfect for those who love homemade vegan snacks.
These treats offer the same fun, fruity vibe, without compromising your ethics.
Conclusion
In summary, Mike and Ikes are not vegan-friendly for most people following a plant-based lifestyle. While they lack blatant animal ingredients like gelatin or milk, they contain shellac and possibly bone-char sugar, making them ethically problematic.
Luckily, there are plenty of vegan candy options that deliver the same chewy goodness without the compromise. Whether you're new to veganism or refining your lifestyle, opting for verified vegan candies ensures you stay aligned with your values.
FAQs on Are Mike and ikes Vegan?
1. Are Mike and Ikes vegan?
Generally, no. They contain shellac, may use bone-char sugar, and artificial colors tested on animals.
2. Do Mike and Ikes contain gelatin?
No. There are no animal-derived gelatin or egg products.
3. Is the sugar used in Mike and Ikes vegan?
Unclear. Bone char may be used in the refining process.
4. Are the artificial colors in Mike and Ikes vegan?
Not animal-derived but often tested on animals.
5. Are Mike and Ikes vegetarian?
Yes, they don’t include meat, gelatin, or dairy.
6. Are Mike and Ikes gluten-free and kosher?
Yes, they are labeled gluten-free and certified kosher.
7. What’s the best vegan alternative to Mike and Ikes?
Try YumEarth Chewys, Surf Sweets, or homemade agar-agar candies.
