“Are Starburst vegan?” is one of the most asked questions among sweet tooths due to the increase in people’s awareness about health and the environment. However, this question is not easy to give a straight “yes” or “no” answer.
As one of the most famous candy brands in the world, Starburst comes up with many variations. Not to mention, this ever-so-popular brand also has different versions in several regions. Many questionable ingredients may appear on the packaging and create confusion for vegans.
If you’re vegan but cannot give up these box-shape gems, there are no other ways to dive deep into this sweet world. Join me in the adventure; you will learn about the candy’s vegan credentials, other great alternatives, and how to make DIY Starbursts.
Since Starbursts contain many controversial items, vegans may find them unsafe to eat.
A Quick Introduction To Starburst
Before unveiling the vegan-friendly possibility of Starburst products, let’s have a brief walkthrough of this candy brand. As such, you will have the basic knowledge to read this article further.
Starburst And Its Journey In The Candy Industry
Under the management of Mars Wrigley, a Mars, Incorporated subsidiary, this iconic American brand is no stranger to sweet lovers. After being around for nearly six decades, the chews has thrived to become one of the biggest names in the US confectionery industry.
Debuting in the early 1960s, Starburst, formally known as Opal Fruits, was a massive hit in the UK confectionery industry (1). Continuing its success, the brand took a new step in the US market in 1967 and has been a household name ever since.
The brand is famous for its box-shaped and fruit-flavored candies. Starburst has expanded the flavor palette from the four original flavors to more than ten variations, with special editions on occasion.
Speaking about Starburst, people will instantly think of their iconic box-shaped confectioneries. Interestingly, the brand has also developed other lines, such as gum, jelly beans, and more. The ingredient list of these products is slightly different to give a suitable texture.
Starburst has gone through a long journey to become one of the biggest names in the confectionery industry.
UK Version Vs. US Version – The Differences Between These Starburst Products
As I mentioned above, you must have realized that Starburst has two different versions between its mother country Britain and its overseas home America. Based on the geography and residents’ liking, they have some minor modifications to accommodate.
US Original Starburst Ingredients
Depending on the flavors and product lines, the US Starburst may carry different items in the ingredient list. However, below are the general elements of most of the brand’s products:
- Corn syrup
- Sugar
- Hydrogenated palm kernel oil
- Concentrated fruit juices
- Citric Acid
- Dextrin
- Beeswax
- Gelatin
- Confectioner’s glaze
- Carnauba wax
- Food-starch modified
- Natural and artificial flavors
- Coloring
The ingredient list of US Starburst lines is almost identical, with just some minor modifications. For example, the brand’s jelly beans will contain beeswax. Similarly, carnauba wax appears solely in the Starburst gums.
Starburst’s Ingredients In UK Version
Now it’s time to look at the ingredient list of Starburst UK. Similar to the US version, the candies might have slightly different ingredients based on the flavors.
- Glucose syrup
- Sugar
- Palm fat
- Concentrated fruit juices
- Citric Acid
- Food-starch modified
- Acid malic acid
- Dextrin
- Flavorings
- Colors
- Emulsifier lecithin
Another note for the UK ingredient list is that it contains zero artificial colors and artificial flavors, according to the manufacturers. Plus, these candies are also labeled as suitable for vegetarians.
As you can see from the data, the two versions share a lot in common. However, there are two significant differences: the gelatin and the confectioner’s glaze.
These substances play a vital role in determining whether your candy is vegan-friendly. More importantly, there are other controversial ingredients on the packaging that you should look for. Worry not because I will discuss them in detail later.
Have you ever seen the UK version of Starburst before? Check out this review!
Are Starbursts Vegan Friendly?
In this section, you will figure out the vegan credential of Starburst. However, before answering the question, let’s take a deeper cut of Starburst’s ingredients to judge whether it’s vegan.
Break Down Starburst Key Ingredients
Vegan is a rigid diet with no animal-related materials, even products tested on animals. Therefore, you must thoroughly inspect the ingredient list to judge if a product is vegan. Check out the key ingredients from both US and UK Starburst products below.
Much to my surprise, there are other red flags besides gelatin in the Starburst ingredient list. Some items sound like they come from 100% plant sources, but there may be problems in the production. That’s why vegans have to be extra cautious when buying any products.
Based on this table, you can examine whether your candy is vegan. So far, vegans should put Starburst Jelly Beans out of their grocery list. It’s easy to notice they contain not one but two non-vegan ingredients: beeswax and confectioner’s glaze.
Controversial Ingredients That Ring Alarm For Vegans
Apart from gelatin, some lesser-known products also lurk in this fruity sweet, potentially derived from animal products. Let’s dive into their deeper issues to determine if they are safe for vegans.
Sugar
Though cane sugar comes from a 100% plant-based source, its refinement involves using bone char to filter and bleach sugar. Unfortunately, this substance is a byproduct after you heat cattle bones at high heat. That’s why most vegans remove refined sugar from their diets.
Fortunately, Europe has prohibited the use of bone char in sugar refinement. Accordingly, most sugar brands are vegan-friendly in Britain(2). Therefore, with the sugar element in Starburst UK, rest assured that it’s safe for vegans.
Don’t miss this simple explanation about the vegan credentials of sugar!
Palm Oil
Like carnauba wax, palm oil is under fire for the same reasons. Though it is a plant-based product, some environmentally-cautious vegans believe that palm oil production destroys most biodiverse forests, putting animals on the edge of homeless and fatal situations.
Aware of this accusation, Mars, the mother company of Starburst, has shed light on the concerns. In their statement, the company claimed they always aimed for “a long-lasting change for the environment” with a deforestation-free palm supply chain(4).
In addition, Mars is also a member of RSPO, Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil, meaning that they are conscious about palm oil and environmental sustainability. Therefore, the palm oil in Starburst is vegan-friendly.
Is palm oil vegan? This detailed explanation will solve all your confusion.
Lecithin
Another item that may cause concern about its vegan credential is lecithin. It’s a common emulsifier made from animal or plant sources. You will find it in egg yolks, vegetables, or tissues and organs of animals (3).
However, since the UK Starburst claims that the sweet is suitable for vegetarians, it’s safe to say that the lecithin used here is plant-based. Besides, soy lecithin, which is vegan-friendly, could be the chosen one for the entire brand since it has appeared on Starburst gum packages.
Carnauba Wax
This ingredient is tricky since the argument about animal exploitation and deforestation makes it a debatable topic. Carnauba wax is on suspicion more because of moral ethics rather than its origin.
Though the substance is free of animal products, it’s under sustainability issues. Extracting this wax from carnauba trees can lead to the destruction of wildlife habitats and deforestation in Brazil. However, this is still a blurry line, and no confirmation, so it’s up to your point of view.
Food Flavorings
Unlike artificial flavors, natural flavorings are the highlight of the discussion since they may come from either animal or plant sources. However, since Starburst products are fruity, the brand will likely use natural flavors developed from a plant source.
As a general rule, if manufacturers use animal-extracted flavors, they will specify them on the packaging to give vegans and vegetarians a heads-up.
So, Are Starburst Fruit Chews Suitable For Vegans?
It’s a yes for Starburst in the UK but a solid no for the US version. As you can see from all the data above, the chews in Britain are safe from non-vegan ingredients. Meanwhile, you should take the US version of Starburst off the grocery list as it ticked many non-vegan boxes.
The inclusion of gelatin makes this difference since this substance is always a hard pass for vegans. Manufacturers must process animal body parts, including skin, to create this ingredient. In Starburst’s situation, they choose cows and pigs to be the subjects.
It’s still a mystery why the brand used animal byproducts for their US product version instead of other plant-based substitutes like pectin. Furthermore, the candies in this region also contain another high-potential non-vegan product: sugars.
On the whole, the vegan credential of your Starburst original fruit chews depends on where you live. In other words, the Starburst chew line (Original, FaveREDs, Duos, All Pink) in the US is non-vegan, and vice versa in the UK.
However, since there is a difference in the ingredient lists between markets, you should check the packaging thoroughly before purchasing to ensure it’s vegan variety.
Other Starburst’s Product Lines – Vegan Or Not
It’s hard to determine whether the sugar of US Starburst is processed with bone char since the company hasn’t addressed the issue. Therefore, I’ll assume that this sweetener is vegan-friendly and discuss other elements in their line-up of products.
Minis (Original, FaveREDs, Sours)
While the original chew’s wrappers constantly stick onto the edibles, you won’t find that trouble in these mini versions. Minis are almost identical to the originals. But sadly, they are not vegan, and this is not down for gelatin. There is another culprit: the confectioner’s glaze.
To put it more clearly, confectioner’s glaze, or shellac, is purified lac resin obtained from the secretions of insects. This component gives candies a shiny outer. On the market, it’s also available under the code – E904. Since shellac is most likely animal-based, it’s not vegan.
But there’s still a light at the end of the tunnel, as the UK versions of Starburst minis are free from this product. They are also labeled as “suitable for vegetarians, ” meaning other elements are all plant-based. It’s safe to assume that the UK minis are vegan-friendly as well.
Strawberry Sorbet Bar
On hot days, nothing is better than devouring these cool Starburst sorbet bars. They share the same strawberry taste as the original chew line but appear in an ice cream bar form.
Unfortunately, although they have nothing to do with gelatin, there is a bigger red flag: cream and milk. So since it contains these ingredients, vegans also should avoid this product.
Gums
Instead of sugar, Starburst candy makers use xylitol as a sweetener for these gums. Luckily, this substance is vegan-friendly, given plant-derived or synthesized in the lab. Another unfamiliar ingredient is carnauba wax, used as a glazing agent. It’s also plant-based.
Since animal-derived ingredients are absent on the packaging, Starburst chewing gums are fine for vegans to eat. On a related note, these products are only available in the UK markets, so you will need to order them online.
Wonder what Starburst gum tastes like? A fun and interesting review is awaiting you!
Jelly Beans (All Flavors)
Here comes the troublemaker. As I have already stated, Starburst jelly beans are home to two non-plant-based products: confectioner’s glaze and beeswax. Therefore, these fruity beans are off the cards vegan-wise.
You already know why confectioner’s glaze isn’t vegan-friendly, but what about beeswax? This product’s origin is the honeycomb. Though no bee has to die to make it, many vegans deem beeswax as a result of animal exploitation. Thus, this component is out of the vegan list.
Gummies (Original, Sours)
Unfortunately, gelatin is a part of both gummies’ flavors (original and sour), so they are not vegan. Manufacturers process gelatin by boiling animal body parts. Similar to the original Starburst fruit chews, gummies need this protein to create a delightfully bouncy texture.
Swirlers
Not all Starburst chewy candies need gelatin to have the chewy texture, and I’m talking about Starburst swirlers. Vegan fellows may love these strips since they resemble in taste with the classic chews.
These sweets have no sugar, gelatin, confectioner’s glaze, or other animal products. Accordingly, it may be the only US Starburst product that might be vegan-friendly.
Starburst swirlers’ taste will blow your mind, and this taste test will prove it.
Vegan Dubs Of Starburst That You Should Try
Since most Starburst products in the US are not plant-based, vegans must spend extra effort to get the right one. If it’s impossible to get the Starburst order from England, you can choose these 100% vegan-friendly candies and chews substitutes at any local store.
1. YumEarth Organic Chewys
If you want a healthy replica of Starburst, this brand is a great way to go. Rather than relying on gelatin or artificial dyes, YumEarth is made of natural fruit and vegetable juices. Even better, these organic chews are non-GMO and safe from 8 common allergens.
2. Lovely Organic Chewy Candies
Vegans adore Lovely Candy’s products because they carry zero gluten and artificial ingredients. The good news for environmentally-conscious consumers is that these Starburst dubs also received a climate pledge-friendly label from Amazon for using sustainable ingredients.
3. Torie & Howard Chewie Fruities
There are tons of vegan candy brands out there, but Torie & Howard hits differently. These box-shaped candies are similar to Starburst in appearance and taste. Plus, their collaboration with 1% For the Planet to help environmental nonprofits get more bonus points from me.
4. Candy Kittens
It’s hard to pass these adorable Candy Kittens. Many vegans praise this brand because apart from animal gelatin, they also completely remove questionable items like palm oil or carnauba wax. You will be worry-free when devouring these cute confectioneries.
Simple Instructions To Make Homemade Vegan Starburst
If you keep thinking about vegan Starbursts and they are unavailable at the moment, making a candy batch at home is not a bad idea. The best thing about DIY confectioneries is that you’re in total control of the ingredients and can avoid any arguable items.
Ingredients
The recipe for homemade vegan Starburst calls for simple and cheap-priced ingredients. You won’t need any artificial colors or flavorings. Make sure you have all the items below:
- ⅓ cup coconut butter
- 2 tbsp coconut oil
- 2 tbsp freeze-dried strawberry powder
- 1 tbsp water
- 1 tbsp maple syrup
- Salt
Don’t panic when you see no sugar on the list because maple syrup will do a perfect job as a sweetener. What’s more, coconut butter is a secret weapon to bring out the unique flavor of your vegan Starburst version.
Step-By-Step Instructions
There are no complicated steps, and after about half an hour, your delicious confectioneries are good to go. In addition, if strawberries aren’t your favorite, feel free to switch to freeze-dried raspberries.
Step 1: Blend Everything
Pour the frozen, dried strawberries into a blender or food processor and blend them for 10 seconds. Then throw the remaining ingredients into the strawberry powder and mix everything until smooth.
Step 2: Pour It Out And Freeze
Transfer the mixture to silicone molds and give the liquid a good stir until the bubbles appear. After that, leave the molds in the freezer for 20 minutes. This amount of time is enough for your candies to settle and shape. After that, all you have to do is enjoy these sweet treats.
FAQs
Have you got the answer to if Starbursts are vegan or not? In case you want to learn more about this iconic candy brand, the additional questions below might do the job.
Satisfy Your Sweet Crave With a Vegan Version Of Starburst!
Lucky for vegans in the UK since you can freely eat Starburst without worrying about their vegan credentials. Americans, on the contrary, are not that fortunate. But that’s not the end of the road. US vegans can always find suitable confectioneries on Amazon or other online stores.
Do you want to recommend other vegan alternations of Starburst? Please leave them in the comments because I’m dying to know. I’ll greatly appreciate it if this post can reach more readers, so share it on your social media if possible. Thank you in advance! See you next time!
References
- 21, S.R.J. (2018) When trump tossed starburst at Angela Merkel, The Forward.
- Nagesh, A. (2018) Brace yourselves – these nine things aren’t actually vegan – BBC Three, BBC News. BBC.
- Lecithin: Benefits, risks, and types (no date) Medical News Today. MediLexicon International.
- Plan for palm oil sustainability | mars, incorporated (no date) Mars. Mars, Incorporated.
