Veganism is a lifestyle that excludes all animal products, including meat, dairy, and eggs. This extends to other areas of life as well, including clothing and other consumer goods.
One question that often arises for vegans and those considering a vegan lifestyle is whether certain foods, like jelly babies, are vegan.
What Are Jelly Babies?
Jelly babies are a type of soft sugar jelly candy that is shaped like a baby and coated in powdered sugar.
They are a popular sweet treat in the United Kingdom and other parts of the world.
Are Jelly Babies Vegan?
No, jelly babies are not vegan due to the inclusion of gelatin, which is made from animal bones, skin, and cartilage.
If you are looking for a vegan-friendly alternative, there are many vegan gummy candies available that do not contain any animal-derived ingredients.
Common Ingredients in Jelly Babies
The common ingredients in jelly babies include sugar, glucose syrup, water, gelatin, citric acid, natural and artificial flavours, and artificial colours.
Most of the ingredients listed are vegan-friendly as they are derived from plants. However, there are a few ingredients that may raise concerns for vegans:
- Gelatin: Gelatin is made from animal bones, skin, and cartilage, making it non-vegan.
- Artificial Colours: Some artificial colours are tested on animals, which may be a concern for some vegans.
- Natural and Artificial Flavours: Similar to artificial colours, some natural and artificial flavours are tested on animals.
If you are looking for a vegan-friendly alternative to jelly babies, there are many vegan gummy candies available.
Look for brands that specifically label their products as vegan or check the ingredient list for any non-vegan ingredients.
Even if all the ingredients in a candy are vegan, there is still a risk of cross-contamination with non-vegan ingredients during the manufacturing process.
This is something to consider if you are a strict vegan.
Conclusion
While most of the ingredients in jelly babies are vegan-friendly, the inclusion of gelatin makes them non-vegan.
Additionally, there are concerns about artificial colours and natural and artificial flavours that may be a concern for some vegans.
