Trying to figure out if Ice Breakers are vegan and gluten free can sometimes be confusing.
Ice Breakers have many ingredients and some of them may not be vegan or gluten free.
To make sure you are only eating gluten free and vegan gum, I’ve looked into the ingredients and production processes of Ice Breakers.
And here’s what I found:
Yes, most varieties of Ice Breakers are vegan and gluten free.
Ice Breakers are a brand of mints and chewing gum that are manufactured by the Hershey Company.
The company has stated that most of their Ice Breakers products are vegan-friendly, with a few exceptions that contain animal-derived ingredients.
Ice Breakers Ingredients:
The ingredients in Ice Breakers vary depending on the specific product.
However, most varieties contain sugar, corn syrup, natural and artificial flavors, and various food additives.
It’s important to note that not all artificial flavors are vegan, as some may be derived from animal sources.
However, the Hershey Company has stated that the artificial flavors used in their Ice Breakers products are vegan-friendly.
Some of the specific ingredients used in Ice Breakers products include:
Sorbitol: a sugar substitute that is commonly used in sugar-free products.
Maltodextrin: a starch-based ingredient that is used as a thickener and filler.
Gum Arabic: a natural ingredient that is used as a thickener and stabilizer.
Titanium Dioxide: a food additive that is used as a whitening agent.
Here’s a list of vegan varieties of Ice breakers.
Are Ice Breakers Vegan?
As previously mentioned, most varieties of Ice Breakers are vegan friendly.
Some of the vegan friendly options include:
- Ice Breakers Mints (all flavors)
- Ice Breakers Gum (all flavors)
- Ice Breakers Duo Mints
- Ice Breakers Frost Mints
- Ice Breakers Cool Blasts Chews
While these flavors ae vegan friendly, others are not.
Here are the non vegan ingredients used in most gums, whenever you see these ingredients, you know that the gum is not strictly vegan.
Are Ice Breakers Sours Vegetarian?
Based on the ingredients of Ice Breakers Sours:
- ORBITOL
- MALIC ACID
- NATURAL AND ARTIFICIAL FLAVOURS
- MALTITOL
- MALTODEXTRIN
- TARTARIC ACID
- ASPARTAME (CONTAINS PHENYLALANINE)
- HYDROGENATED PALM OIL
- GUM ARABIC
- CITRIC ACID
- MAGNESIUM STEARATE
- MANNITOL
- SOY LECITHIN
- COLOUR.[1]
There are no obvious animal-derived ingredients in the list. However, there are a few points to consider:
- Natural and Artificial Flavours: These can be derived from both plant and animal sources. Without specific details, it’s hard to determine the exact origin.
- Colour: Some colorings can be derived from animal sources. For example, carmine or cochineal extract is a red dye derived from insects, but it’s not specified which colorings are used in this product.
- Soy Lecithin: This is a plant-based ingredient used as an emulsifier.
- Hydrogenated Palm Oil: This is a plant-based oil.
Given the provided ingredient list, it appears that Ice Breakers Sours is vegetarian.
Non Vegan Ingredients in Gums:
While most varieties of gum are vegan-friendly, there are a few ingredients that may be of concern to vegans.
Here are some of the non-vegan ingredients commonly found in gum:
Gelatin:
This is a common ingredient in gum and other chewy candies. Gelatin is derived from animal collagen, which is usually sourced from the skin, bones, and connective tissue of cows or pigs.
Beeswax:
This is a natural wax that is produced by honey bees. It is often used in gum and other confectionery products as a glazing agent or to help keep the ingredients together.
Shellac:
Shellac is a resin that is secreted by the lac beetle. It is commonly used in gum and other confectionery products as a glazing agent or to add shine.
Glycerin:
While glycerin can be derived from plant sources, it can also be derived from animal fat, such as beef tallow.
It is often used in gum and other confectionery products as a softening agent.
Stearic Acid:
This is a fatty acid that is commonly used in gum and other confectionery products as a thickener. It can be derived from animal fat or from vegetable sources.
It’s important to note that not all gum products contain these non-vegan ingredients.
Many brands offer vegan friendly options that do not contain any animal-derived ingredients.
Some popular vegan gum brands include PUR Gum, Chicza (check the availability here), and Simply Gum.
Are Ice Breakers Gluten Free?
Yes, all varieties of Ice Breakers are gluten-free.
The Hershey Company, which manufactures Ice Breakers, has stated that all of their products do not contain gluten.
Some of the ingredients commonly used in Ice Breakers products include sugar, corn syrup, natural and artificial flavors, and various food additives.
None of these ingredients are known sources of gluten, which is a protein found in wheat, barley, and rye.
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Final Thoughts:
Most varieties of Ice Breakers are vegan-friendly, as they do not contain any animal-derived ingredients.
However, there are a few varieties of Ice Breakers that are not suitable for vegans. As with any food product, it’s always recommended to read the label carefully to ensure that it meets your dietary needs and preferences.
