Airheads are a popular candy known for their tangy and chewy texture, but the question “Are Airheads vegan?” isn’t as straightforward as one might hope. While many varieties of Airheads are vegan, such as the classic taffy bars, and are free from animal-derived ingredients, some versions do contain components like gelatin and carmine, making them unsuitable for vegans. Even the seemingly vegan options may pose concerns due to the sugar-refining process, which sometimes involves animal bone char. This article will help you navigate which Airheads varieties are suitable for a vegan diet and which are not.
Airheads History
Perfetti Van Melle, an Italian-Dutch confectionery company, introduced Airheads in 1985. The candy quickly gained popularity in the United States due to its unique chewy texture and bold, fruity flavors. Originally available in classic bar form, Airheads expanded their product line to include various shapes and forms, such as bites, gummies, and pops. Over the years, Airheads have become a staple in the candy aisle, known for their playful branding and wide appeal among children and adults alike.
Commonly used Ingredients
Airhead candy typically contains the following commonly used ingredients:
- Sugar
- Corn syrup
- Maltodextrin
- Dextrose
- Modified food starch (corn)
- Partially hydrogenated soybean oil
- Citric acid
- Water
- Artificial flavors
- Artificial colors (e.g., Red 40, Blue 1, Yellow 5)
- Gelatin (in some varieties)
- Carnauba wax (for coating)
These ingredients can vary slightly depending on the flavor and type of Airheads candy.
Why Some Airheads Are Vegan
Candy chews often use gelatin for texture, but some Airheads, including the classic taffy bars, rely on plant-based ingredients like starches and oils instead. However, it’s important to note that nearly all Airheads varieties contain sugar, which often gets refined with animal byproducts despite being plant-based. Strict vegans may choose to avoid Airheads due to this sugar-processing method.
Key Ingredients in Vegan Airheads:
Sugar: Most processed foods labeled as “sugar” contain a mix of cane and beet sugar. Producers often refine cane sugar with animal bone char, while they process beet sugar without animal byproducts, making it a vegan-friendly option.
Carnauba Wax: Derived from Brazilian palm trees, carnauba wax is vegan but faces sustainability issues similar to palm oil. It is found in Airheads Bites and Gummies.
Palm Oil: Some vegans avoid palm oil due to its environmental impact. Airheads’ parent company, Perfetti Van Melle, is transitioning to responsibly sourced palm oil.
Food Coloring: Manufacturers derive synthetic food colorings like Red 40, Blue 1, and Yellow 6 from petroleum, raising environmental concerns that may lead some environmental vegans to avoid them.
Soybean Oil: Though soybean oil is vegan, critics often point out its environmental impact, especially its role in deforestation.
Vegan Airheads Varieties
- Airheads Bars (Original Flavors):
- Cherry
- Blue Raspberry
- Watermelon
- Grape
- Orange
- Green Apple
- White Mystery
- Airheads Xtremes:
- Airheads Xtremes Bites (some varieties)
- Airheads Xtremes Sourfuls (some varieties)
- Airheads Soft Filled Bites (Original Flavors)
When Airheads Are Not Vegan
Certain Airheads varieties contain gelatin, which derives from animal bones, skin, and connective tissues, making them non-vegan. Additionally, other animal-based ingredients like carmine, beeswax, and shellac are present in some varieties.
Non-Vegan Ingredients:
Gelatin: A byproduct of the pork, beef, and fish industries, is produced by boiling and extracting collagen from the bones, connective tissues, and skin of animals. Airheads use a non-specific form of gelatin, which means it could come from any of these animals or a combination of them.
Carmine: Carmine is a red dye that is not considered vegan because it is made from crushed female cochineal insects. The production of carmine results in the death of billions of these insects each year. Due to allergy concerns, regulations now require manufacturers to disclose if their food or cosmetic products contain this animal-based dye.
Beeswax: Honeybees produce beeswax naturally to build their honeycombs, but it isn’t considered vegan because it comes from animals. Manufacturers often use beeswax as a thickener, emulsifier, or coating in cosmetics, candles, and some food products. Because it involves exploiting bees, those following a vegan lifestyle avoid it.
Shellac: The female lac bug, found on trees in India and Thailand, secretes shellac, which isn’t considered vegan because animals produce it. Manufacturers commonly use shellac as a coating or glaze in food products, cosmetics, furniture polish, and varnishes. Because it involves harvesting an insect byproduct, those following a vegan lifestyle avoid it.
Non-Vegan Airheads Varieties
- Airheads Bites: It contains gelatin that derives from animal collagen.
- Airheads Gummies: Also contain gelatin.
- Airheads Gum: It contains stearic acid, which can come from animal sources (though it may sometimes be plant-based, this isn’t always clear).
Enjoy Airheads: Gelatin-Free Flavors for Every Dietary Need
Airheads offers a variety of gelatin-free flavors, making them a great choice for vegans and vegetarians. Gelatin-free options include Cherry, Blue Raspberry, Watermelon, Orange, Grape, and White Mystery. These flavors are also gluten-free and dairy-free, catering to a wide range of dietary needs without compromising on taste.
Navigating the world of candy as a vegan can feel overwhelming, but making informed choices, like selecting the right Airheads flavors, is a small yet powerful step toward living in alignment with your values. Every decision you make reflects your commitment to a kinder, more compassionate world. By choosing vegan-friendly options, you’re not only satisfying your sweet tooth but also standing up for the animals and the planet. It’s a journey of mindfulness and care, and each choice matters.
