Natural flavors are obscure because they sometimes come from animals. Modified cornstarch is vegan because it comes from corn, but it is GMO. Gelatin is what gives Starburst candies their gummy, chewable texture. It is usually obtained from cows or pigs, making it non-vegan. Gelatin is a protein obtained by boiling skin, tendons, ligaments, and/or bones with water. This is a hydrolyzed starch made from tapioca. It actually comes from fermented sugars and it’s often GMO, unless it’s organic or from a brand verified by the non-GMO project. Citric acidĬitric acid in food does not come from oranges, as you were probably thinking. Fruit juice from concentrate (apple, strawberry, orange, cherry, and lemon)įruit juice concentrate is vegan because it comes from fruits. While technically vegan because it comes from a plant, it is often criticized for the negative environmental impacts associated with palm oil production, including deforestation and habitat destruction. This is a type of fat derived from the kernel of palm fruit.

We don’t consider sugar processed through bone char to be vegan. It is vegan in its purest form, but it’s often filtered through various substances, one of which is animal bone char. Sugar is a sweetener that comes from sugarcane or sugar beets. However, this corn syrup is derived from genetically modified organisms, meaning it has been tested on animals. It’s used to give Starburst candies their distinctive sweetness. It is derived from corn, making it vegan. What Is Starburst Candy Made Of?īefore diving into the specifics of each ingredient, let’s have a look at the overall ingredients of Starburst candies:Ĭorn syrup is a liquid sweetener made of glucose. Furthermore, while Starburst does not directly involve testing on animals, the sourcing and production of some of its ingredients, such as palm oil, contribute to deforestation and harm towards wildlife. Gelatin involves the killing of animals, and the production of confectioner’s glaze can cause harm to the insects involved. As mentioned earlier, they contain gelatin and confectioner’s glaze, both of which are sourced from animals. Unfortunately, traditional Starburst candies are not cruelty-free. Other contentious ingredients include natural and artificial flavors which could potentially be derived from non-vegan sources. Similarly, confectioner’s glaze, a shiny coating used on the candies, is derived from insect secretions, specifically the lac insect. Gelatin, often found in Starburst fruit chews, is derived from animal collagen, typically sourced from pigskin. The major ingredients in these candies that prevent them from being vegan are gelatin and confectioner’s glaze.

Coloring (Red 40, Yellow 5, Yellow 6, Blue 1)Īfter careful scrutiny, we can confirm that traditional Starburst candies, including Starburst Jelly Beans, Starburst Minis, and Starburst Gummies, are not vegan friendly.Fruit juice from concentrate (apple, strawberry, orange, cherry, and lemon).

Does starburst have gelatin