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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As a seasoned enthusiast with an in-depth understanding of veganism and food product ingredients, I'm here to delve into the article on Skittles' vegan status. My knowledge extends beyond the surface, supported by a comprehensive understanding of the intricacies involved in determining whether a product aligns with vegan principles.
Let's break down the key concepts discussed in the article:
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Vegan Definition and Criteria:
- Vegans abstain from consuming meat, dairy products, eggs, honey, and other byproducts of animal agriculture, such as tallow, whey, and gelatin.
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Skittles Classic Fruits:
- The article asserts that Skittles Classic Fruits are suitable for vegans, despite being labeled as "Suitable For Vegetarians." This is due to the absence of animal products in their composition.
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Varieties of Skittles and Vegan Suitability:
- While most Skittles varieties, including Classic Fruits, Skittles Sour, Skittles Tropical, and Wild Berry Skittles, are considered vegan-friendly, some special editions, like Once in a Blue Moon Skittles, may contain animal product derivatives, particularly the blue Skittles in this case.
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Skittles Ingredients:
- The main ingredients of Skittles are colored sugars and artificial additives, all of which are devoid of animal products. The article highlights historical changes, such as the removal of gelatin over a decade ago and the elimination of Carmine (or Cochineal Extract, E120) around 2015. Carmine, derived from insects, was an unsuitable animal byproduct for vegans.
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Vegan Considerations Beyond Ingredients:
- Despite Skittles' ingredient changes, there are broader considerations for vegans. The article mentions evaluating the wider company, as Skittles is owned by Mars, a company with a history of animal testing. Additionally, the use of palm oil in Skittles raises environmental concerns, as palm oil production is associated with deforestation and habitat destruction.
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Palm Oil and Environmental Impact:
- The article advises consumers to make an informed decision about supporting Skittles based on their stance on palm oil, considering its negative environmental impact, including deforestation, habitat destruction, and wildlife extinction.
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Personal Choice in Veganism:
- The article emphasizes that the decision to include Skittles in one's vegan diet depends on individual values. Strict vegan ethics, sustainability concerns, and personal views on supporting companies with certain practices all play a role.
In conclusion, while Skittles are mostly suitable for vegans based on their ingredients, the article encourages readers to make informed choices aligning with their personal values and ethics. It touches upon considerations beyond mere ingredients, such as a company's history with animal testing and the environmental impact of ingredients like palm oil. This nuanced approach showcases a deep understanding of the complexities involved in navigating vegan choices.
