Other than sugar and corn syrup, gelatin is, by far, one of the most common ingredients used in candy. For instance, it’s the main ingredient in marshmallows. It’s also used in other chewy types of candy, such as AirHeads and Lifesavers Gummies. Below, I’ll answer all of the vegan-related questions that you’ve been wondering about Mike and Ikes. Then, I’ll break down all of the ingredients and explain why certain ones are problematic for vegans. Sodium citrate is a common ingredient found in food, candy, and drinks. It’s 100% vegan and acts as a preservative, increasing the shelf life of the candy. 8) Natural & Artificial Flavors Red 4 is a pigment that is derived from beetles. Thousands of beetles are killed for making the red 4 pigments. However, the production does not end with using the beetles only.

Unfortunately, this additive is NOT vegan, as it contains a shiny compound called shellac. Shellac is a substance that’s made from the ground exoskeletons of thousands of “lac” beetles, which are known for being shiny. 11) Carnauba Wax That being said, raw unrefined sugar is always vegan. This delicious sweetener actually tastes better than white sugar! Compared to citric acid and malic acid, fumaric acid is the strongest fruit-derived acid. It’s used to give certain Mike and Ikes flavors a sharp, sour taste. The addition of all of these acids is part of why Mike and Ikes taste like real fruit, even though they don’t contain any real fruit. 7) Sodium CitrateLike many other candies, sugar is the main ingredient used in Mike and Ikes. If you’re not aware, it’s actually one of the most common food additives in the world. While sugar is technically a plant-based sweetener, it’s not entirely a vegan food. Although Mike and Ikes don’t contain any real fruit juice or fruit puree, they do contain some natural flavors. The rest of the flavors are artificial and chemically derived. That being said, they’re all vegan-friendly, so you don’t have to worry about them. 9) Dextrin One fan took to social media to ask anyone else if they’ve noticed that the assorted sour balls are currently missing from the Parks. They explained that their family was on vacation this past week and couldn’t find the Goofy’s Candy Company assorted sour balls anywhere. Other than the original signature version of Mike and Ikes there is a version of Mike and Ike Megamix chewy candy and Mike and Ike Mega Mix Sour Chewy Candies.

It’s often added to candy to create a tart, fruity flavor and to help balance out the fake-tasting artificial flavors. It’s a vegan acid, though, so don’t be worried about this ingredient. 6) Fumaric Acid Carnauba wax is a palm-derived wax that’s often added to gummies and other candy. In the case of Mike and Ikes, this wax is used to coat the outside of each candy. This, in turn, prevents the outside air and moisture from getting into the candy and spoiling it. 12) MCTs If you’re a first-time vegan, then it’s also a great opportunity to start learning more about what’s in your food. This will help you decide for yourself which foods are vegan in the future! Mike and Ikes don’t contain any dairy or milk derivatives, though. So they’re safe for lactose-intolerant individuals to consume. What Are The Ingredients In Mike and Ikes? Listed Gelatin is a tasteless powder that’s used as a natural emulsifier in food products. In other words, it helps food and candy maintain their natural shape. It also gives whatever food it’s added a slightly chewy, gel-like texture.

I apologize if I’m the bearer of bad news. However, I can’t tell you that the little pill-shaped candies are vegan in good conscience, knowing that they contain animal-derived additives. However, I can give you a good explanation as to why they aren’t vegan. SUGAR, CORN SYRUP, MODIFIED FOOD STARCH, CONTAINS LESS THAN 0.5% OF THE FOLLOWING: CITRIC ACID, MALIC ACID, FUMARIC ACID, SODIUM CITRATE, NATURAL AND ARTIFICIAL FLAVORS, DEXTRIN, ARTIFICIAL COLOR, CONFECTIONERS GLAZE, CARNAUBA WAX, MEDIUM CHAIN TRIGLYCERIDES, RED #40, YELLOW #5 (TARTRAZINE), YELLOW #6, BLUE #1. Mike and Ike is nostalgia for all of us. It may seem hard to avoid this candy during the Halloween season. Corn syrup is more concentrated than white sugar and is known for its rich fruity flavor. It pairs well with the fruit flavors that are used in Mike and Ikes. 3) Modified Corn Starch

Unfortunately, Mike and Ikes Cherry candy is also a non-vegan candy, as it contains the same non-vegan ingredients, such as confectioner’s glaze and refined sugar. The Verdict – Are Mike and Ikes Vegan-Friendly?

Mike and Ikes are NOT vegan-friendly as they contain a couple of questionable ingredients. In general, most candy contains sugar, which has always been a source of debate among vegans.

Many animals are harmed in this process and collected the gelatin. This also achieves the chewy texture of the candy. This is also not used in Mike and Ikes at all. Does not contain red 4 While some of the ingredients are natural and plant-based, many of them are artificial and synthetically created in a lab. Also, a couple of ingredients are animal-derived (or are touched by animals).Although Mike and Ikes are fruit-flavored, they are NOT vegan. They contain sugar as well as confectioner’s glaze, both of which are generally regarded as non-vegan by the ethical vegan community.