Skittles Vegan Status
What makes something vegan? In addition to cutting out meat, vegans diets also exclude dairy products, eggs and honey from their diet, as well as any other byproducts of animal agriculture like tallow, whey, or gelatin.
With that in mind, the simple answer is: yes. Skittles Classic Fruits are suitable for vegans.
Though the bag only brands them as ‘Suitable For Vegetarians’, classic Skittles do have a vegan friendly status as they contain no animal products. But could there be more to consider? We think so.
Are All Skittles Vegan?
Most types of Skittles are considered vegan, but not all. While Skittles Classic Fruits, Skittles Sour, Skittles Tropical and Wild Berry Skittles are all currently suitable for vegans, some special editions such as the Once in a Blue Moon Skittles are not, as the blue skittles contain animal product derivatives.
As limited edition packs can differ with their ingredients, we recommend always checking the ingredients list of any past or future limited edition packs to double check for animal derived products if you want to be really safe!
Skittles Ingredients
Though like many other sweets the main ingredients of Skittles are coloured sugars and artificial additives, none of which contain animal products. However, the ingredients haven’t always looked like this.
Although gelatin was (thankfully) removed from Skittles over a decade ago, another ingredient called Carmine (AKA Cochineal Extract, E120) was only scrapped from the ingredients list in around 2015, so some older bags of Skittles that are floating around might still contain this product.
E120 is a natural red food colour taken from a species of insects called Cochineal that live on different succulents, making it an animal byproduct unsuitable for vegans.
We admit that it’s unlikely that you’ll happen upon a pre-2015 bag of Skittles anytime soon, but we think it’s always best to check the ingredients list just in case!
Vegan Considerations
Although Skittles no longer contain animal products, there are still some considerations to make as a vegan before tasting the rainbow! You may want to consider the wider company you are funding and their overall vegan status.
As Skittles are owned by parent company Mars, who have been known to test on animals in the past, you need to make some decisions about how strict your vegan diet should be. If you were to cut out all companies that have ever tested on animals you might not have much left to eat! But that choice is yours.
Another consideration to make is how you feel about palm oil. Palm oil production is widely known to be disastrous for the environment and for the animals within it. The production of palm oil has leveled forests, destroyed habitats and caused animal extinction, amongst other things. By destroying forests to make room for plantation development, wildlife lose their homes and their lives.
Though more companies are making efforts to get rid of palm oil from their products, it is still rife in the sweet industry. As Skittles contain palm oil as one of their ingredients, you should make an informed decision about whether or not you feel comfortable buying their products.
The Verdict
So we have established that most Skittles are suitable for vegans, with some considerations, but at the end of the day only you can make the choice when it comes to the suitability of Skittles in your vegan diet.
That might all depend on the reason you are vegan. If strict vegan ethics and sustainability are a core value to you, then we recommend steering clear of Skittles and maybe finding something minus the palm oil to satisfy that sweet tooth in the future!
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When it comes to determining whether a product is truly vegan, it's essential to dive into the ingredient list and consider the sourcing and production methods. The article about Skittles and their vegan status delves into several key aspects that are crucial for a vegan diet: animal-derived ingredients, company ethics, and environmental impact.
Skittles, particularly the Classic Fruits, Skittles Sour, Skittles Tropical, and Wild Berry varieties, are generally considered suitable for vegans as they don't contain any animal products. However, there's a caveat—limited edition or special packs like Once in a Blue Moon Skittles might include animal-derived ingredients, so it's vital to scrutinize their ingredient lists.
A critical point mentioned in the article is the historical inclusion of non-vegan components like gelatin (which was removed over a decade ago) and Carmine (E120), extracted from insects, eliminated from the ingredients list around 2015. While it's unlikely to encounter pre-2015 Skittles, it's wise to remain vigilant and check the ingredients for potential non-vegan components.
Beyond the direct ingredients, ethical considerations emerge. Mars, the parent company of Skittles, has a history of animal testing, prompting ethical dilemmas for some vegans. It becomes a personal decision whether to support a company with such practices or opt for alternatives.
Additionally, the article touches on the environmental impact of palm oil, an ingredient found in Skittles. Palm oil production is often associated with deforestation and habitat destruction, leading to significant environmental concerns and impacting wildlife. For conscientious vegans, this environmental aspect could influence their choice regarding Skittles consumption.
Ultimately, the verdict on whether Skittles fit within a vegan diet depends on personal values and principles. For individuals placing high emphasis on strict vegan ethics and sustainability, the recommendation might lean toward avoiding products with contentious sourcing or supporting companies involved in practices contrary to those values.
Lastly, the article wraps up by suggesting alternatives and ethical considerations, directing readers to explore vegan snack options available at The Goodness Project, a platform known for offering ethically sourced, free-from snacks. They emphasize not just their products but also their expertise in the vegan domain through blogs, recipes, and experience in providing suitable vegan treats.
In summary, the article covers Skittles' ingredients, ethical considerations regarding the parent company, and the environmental impact of ingredients like palm oil, providing a comprehensive perspective for vegans evaluating their choices in snack consumption.
