What does vegan mean, specifically vegan candy? And what can you find at candy store Candymixmatch.com?

The love of a tasty treat is universal, but the way people enjoy their sweet treats is changing. More and more consumers are making conscious choices about what they eat, driven by ethical considerations, environmental awareness or specific dietary needs. This growing focus on conscious consumption extends to all aspects of the diet, including everyday treats like sweets. Interest in vegan options is growing steadily, and it’s not just a choice for strict vegans.

Vegan candy, for example, can also be a solution for people with lactose intolerance or allergies to certain animal products. This development shows that consumers are increasingly taking their values ​​and health needs into account in their purchasing decisions, which encourages brands to offer more inclusive options. It is clear that understanding the term 'vegan' is becoming increasingly relevant to a wide audience.

This blog post takes readers on a journey into the world of vegan candy. It delves into what exactly “vegan” means in the context of candy, how many surprising animal ingredients can be hidden in everyday candy, and how to find delicious animal-free options. With a special focus on the assortment of candy store candymixmatch.com, it shows that indulging in sweets and making conscious choices can go hand in hand.

Veganism Unraveled: More Than Just Food

To understand what vegan candy entails, it’s essential to first understand the broader meaning of veganism. Veganism is more than just a diet; it’s a lifestyle that avoids, “as far as is practicable,” the use of all animal products and the exploitation of animals. This principle extends to food, clothing, cosmetics, and even entertainment.

The terms 'vegetarian', 'plant-based' and 'vegan' are often used interchangeably, which can lead to confusion. However, a clear distinction is crucial:

• Vegetarian: Someone following a vegetarian diet does not eat meat, poultry or fish. Some vegetarians also avoid certain types of cheese if they contain animal rennet. Animal products such as dairy and eggs are generally allowed.

• Plant-based: This term refers to a diet that consists primarily of foods that come directly from plants, such as vegetables, fruits, legumes, nuts, and seeds. It also includes meat and dairy substitutes. Plant-based focuses primarily on food choices and is not necessarily a complete lifestyle like veganism. It is possible to eat plant-based without being completely vegan.

• Vegan: This goes a step further than vegetarian and plant-based. In addition to meat and fish, all products that come from animals are also avoided. This includes dairy products (such as milk, yogurt, and cheese), eggs, honey (because it comes from bees), and products that contain gelatin. The vegan lifestyle also includes avoiding animal products in clothing (think leather, wool, down, silk, felt) and the use of cosmetics that have been tested on animals. The use of animals for entertainment is also avoided.

A common question concerns the nutritional value of a vegan diet. Plant-based diets provide all the nutrients a person needs, with one exception: vitamin B12. Vegans take a supplement for this. The wording “to the extent practicable” in the definition of veganism is important. This nuance indicates that veganism is a journey of conscious choices, rather than an unattainable ideal. It acknowledges that in practice, not everything can always be avoided 100%, which makes the lifestyle more accessible and less intimidating for those considering the transition. It promotes a realistic approach rather than an all-or-nothing mentality.

The Sweet Trap: Hidden Animal Ingredients in Candy

Many everyday sweets, which at first glance seem harmless, contain ingredients of animal origin. This is why the term “vegan” is so important in the world of sweets and why it pays to look closely at the ingredients list. The presence of these hidden animal components makes it challenging for consumers to identify truly vegan products without detailed knowledge. This complexity highlights the need for clear labeling and educational tools.

The most common animal ingredients in candy are:

• Gelatin: This is one of the most commonly used animal binders and is found in many soft candies, liquorice, chewing gum and even desserts. It is extracted from slaughterhouse waste, such as bones, skin and cartilage of pigs, calves, poultry or fish. Gelatin is used to hold products together, to stiffen them or to protect them from drying out.

• Insects as a colorant and gloss agent:

• Carmine (E120) / Cochineal Red: This commonly used red dye gives many products their red or pink color. It comes from living boiled or killed female cochineal bugs. Carmine can be found in pink mice, pink cakes, red fruit juices and various pink/red sweets. Approximately 140,000 cochineal bugs are needed for just one kilo of carmine.

• Shellac (E904): A glazing agent made from the secretion of female lac insects from Southeast Asia. It gives candies, chocolate and fruit a shiny finish and is even used as a base for chewing gum.

• Beeswax (E901): Originating from bees, who use it to build their combs. It is used as a glazing agent in sweets, liquorice, chocolate and chewing gum.

• Dairy derivatives: Ingredients such as whey, casein and lactose come from milk and are used not only in dairy products themselves, but also surprisingly often in bread, biscuits, crisps, chocolate and certain types of sweets.

• Sugar (the element of surprise): Although sugar is naturally plant-based (cane sugar, beet sugar), cane sugar is sometimes refined using bone meal (bone char) to whiten it. This process makes the sugar, and therefore the final product, non-vegan.

• Other lesser known E numbers and ingredients to watch out for:

• E542 Bone meal (phosphate): An anti-caking agent, emulsifier and moisture binder, extracted from animal bones. Found in food supplements and sometimes in the production of (cane) sugar.

• E630 Inosinic acid + E631 Disodium inosinate: Flavour enhancers that enhance the umami flavour. They are extracted from sardines and meat.

• E640 Glycine: A flavour enhancer or bread improver, derived from gelatin and offal.

• Vitamin D3: Often comes from lanolin (wool fat from sheep) or fish oil. Vitamin D2 is the plant-based variant.

• Flavourings: Can be of animal origin. If the product contains less than 0.2% flavouring, the origin does not have to be stated on the ingredients list, which makes it difficult to trace.

• 'Traces of...': This label on the packaging (e.g. 'may contain traces of milk') usually means that the product is made in a factory that also processes animal products, but the product itself is often plant-based. For most vegans this is acceptable, unless there is a serious allergy.

The most important tip is: "Only if the packaging says 100% plant-based, the product is free of animal substances. But even then, the plant-based end product may have been produced in a non-vegan way." This underlines the need for thorough research and understanding of production methods.

Below is a handy overview of common animal ingredients and their plant-based alternatives:

The Plant-Based Revolution: Smart Alternatives to Candy

Fortunately, the food industry is constantly evolving and smart plant-based alternatives are becoming available that eliminate the need for animal ingredients. This ‘plant-based revolution’ is a testament to the advances in food technology and growing consumer demand. It’s more than just replacing ingredients; it’s an active innovation that’s transforming the market.

Where gelatin used to be considered essential for the texture of sweets, there are now excellent plant-based binders and gelling agents. Think of pectin, a soluble fibre often extracted from fruit that has a strong gelling effect. In addition, agar-agar (a gelatin substitute derived from algae), gum arabic, tapioca and modified starch are widely used and effective alternatives. These alternatives prove that deliciously soft sweets can also be produced without animal products, and they meet consumer expectations in terms of taste and texture.

There are also developments in the field of sugar. More and more brands are ensuring that their sugar is not refined with bone meal. In addition, fruit sugars and syrups (such as glucose syrup) are frequently used in vegan sweets, which provide a natural sweetness. For vibrant colours and an attractive shine, natural colourings from vegetables and fruit are now used, as well as vegetable glazing agents that do not contain insect secretions.

Brands like Katja have almost completely transitioned to a vegan assortment, proving that a large-scale transition is possible. These examples show how the industry is responding to the growing demand for animal-friendly treats. The success of such brands drives further innovation and normalizes vegan options in the mainstream market. This creates a virtuous cycle: more demand leads to more innovation, which leads to better and more diverse vegan options, which in turn drives demand.

Vegan Candy at candymixmatch.com: Your Sweet Finds!

Candy Mix & Match has a wide range of vegan sweets.
Click here for a current overview.

Candy Mix & Match is aware of the needs of vegans and takes proactive steps to prevent cross-contamination. Sugary, sugar-free, halal and vegan sweets are packaged separately. This care and attention to customers with specific dietary requirements is a big plus and shows that the store does take vegan consumers into account despite the website restrictions.

Below are some vegan gems from the Candy Mix & Match range:

The Napoleon Fruit Mix is ​​a great example of a versatile vegan candy. These cheerful Napoleon balls are explicitly confirmed as vegan.
Not only are they vegan, they are also halal, gluten-free, gelatin-free, peanut & nut-free, lactose-free and soy-free. The ingredients list is completely plant-based, with sugar, glucose syrup, citric acid, dextrose, natural flavors and vegetable dyes (curcumin, copper complexes of chlorophylls, paprika extract, anthocyanins), without synthetic (azo) dyes.

Click here for Napoleon fruit mix

The iconic Wilhelmina Pepermunt also offers vegan options.

Practical tips for finding vegan candy at Candy Mix & Match:

• Always check product descriptions and ingredients lists carefully.

• Look for terms like “gelatin-free,” “plant-based,” or “vegan” in the product title or description.

• If in doubt, do not hesitate to contact Candy Mix & Match customer service . They can be reached via WhatsApp Business and email.

Conclusion: Enjoy Consciously and Sweetly!

The world of sweets is full of surprises, and for those who want to indulge consciously, vegan sweets offer a delicious solution. Veganism is a broad and conscious lifestyle that goes beyond just food, and while many traditional sweets contain hidden animal ingredients, the good news is that there are more and more delicious and innovative plant-based alternatives available. This development is a sign of a positive and accelerating shift towards a more inclusive, ethical and sustainable food market.

By using the knowledge shared in this blog post—what to avoid, what to look for, and how to read labels—consumers can confidently make informed choices and enjoy sweets that support an animal-friendly and sustainable lifestyle. The increasing availability of vegan sweets, coupled with growing consumer awareness and the efforts of retailers like Candy Mix & Match , points to a robust and growing ecosystem.

Candy Mix & Match’s commitment to preventing cross-contamination and offering clear vegan options (such as Napoleon Fruit Mix and Wilhelmina Peppermint) is a testament to their commitment to this growing group of consumers. This drives a virtuous cycle: more demand leads to more innovation, which leads to better and more diverse vegan options.

Go on a journey of discovery in the sweet world of vegan candy and discover the delicious possibilities that contribute to a conscious and animal-friendly future. Enjoy consciously and sweetly.