While vegans can enjoy these ocean-dwelling treats, they may want to double-check the ingredients. Natural and artificial colorings are not considered vegan as they are often processed with bone char (made from the bones of slaughtered animals) and beeswax.
Gelatin is also not vegan and should be avoided by anyone avoiding animal products. Some variants of Swedish fish sold in peg bags contain beeswax, which makes them non-vegan.
Sugar
Swedish Fish are a chewy candy in the shape of little fish that come in different colors and flavors. They are made by Mondelez International and available in both regular-packaged and peg bag versions. They are vegan-friendly and contain no gelatin or other animal-derived ingredients. However, the candy does contain some ingredients that are not suitable for vegans.
For example, the white sugar in Swedish Fish is processed with bone char, which some vegans avoid. Bone char is ground-up animal bones that are used for decolorizing the sugar in order to make it whiter. This is a common process for many foods and drinks, but it does leave an aftertaste that some people find unpleasant.
Another problem is the red Swedish Fish coloring, which is derived from petroleum-based dyes. This is an ingredient that some vegans avoid because it is not cruelty-free. It is also not organic, which some vegans prefer to eat. It is important to note that food colorings are often tested on animals before they can be used in prepackaged foods. This is an issue that some vegans struggle with, but there are many alternatives for synthetic and natural food dyes that are more ethical.
The yellow, green, and orange colored Swedish fish all use a natural food colorant that is vegetable-based. These are not the same as the red Swedish Fish candies, which are derived from the collagen of decaying animals’ hides. This type of collagen is not considered to be vegan-friendly, so the colorant must be sourced from a non-animal source.
There is no gelatin in Swedish fish, which makes them a vegan confection. They do, however, contain corn syrup, which is a plant-based sweetener. They also use citric acid, which is an organic acid that can be sourced from lemons and other citrus fruits. It acts as a flavor enhancer and is also a preservative for the candies.
The only other ingredient that some vegans will not eat is the palm kernel oil in the peg bags of Swedish Fish. This is a controversial substance, because it is not sustainable and causes deforestation in tropical rainforests. This is not a big problem for most people, but it can be an obstacle for some vegans.
Corn Syrup
Corn syrup is a sugar-based syrup that is commonly used in a variety of foods and beverages for added sweetness, as well as to soften or thicken them for texture. It is also used as an alternative to sugar in candy making, and its smooth consistency inhibits crystallization – a trait that makes it ideal for recipes like frostings or glazes where a smooth finish is required.
Corn syrup can be a tricky ingredient to find in stores, but it is an essential one to keep in the kitchen for a number of reasons. The most obvious benefit is that it adds a sweet, mild flavor to dishes and baked goods. It also offers a clearer finish than other types of sweeteners, and its consistency inhibits the formation of sugar crystals which can make things gritty.
Another key function of corn syrup is that it acts as a preservative for foods, keeping them from spoiling over time and preventing dryness or staleness. For this reason, it is a popular choice for food producers to use in canned products and jams and jellies.
There are a few different ways to replace corn syrup in recipes when you have run out. A common choice is to simply use a combination of equal parts sugar and water, which will give you roughly three-quarters the sweetness that corn syrup would normally provide. However, a sugar and water mixture will not have the same smooth texture as corn syrup, so it’s important to adjust your recipe accordingly.
Other options for replacing corn syrup include honey, maple syrup, or brown rice syrup. Each of these syrups offer a slightly different flavor profile than corn syrup, so it is important to consider which will best suit your dish or recipe. For example, maple syrup will lend a distinctively warm and earthy sweetness to dishes, whereas honey can bring a subtle floral taste. Brown rice syrup can help create a similar texture to corn syrup, and it can also have a light, nutty flavor that works well in certain recipes.
Finally, molasses is a great alternative to corn syrup, as it can provide a similar texture to the former while also offering a distinct sweetness and a range of flavors that vary depending on what type of molasses you choose (light, dark or blackstrap). This is particularly helpful when creating savory dishes, but it’s not something you should try with all your desserts!
Carnauba Wax
The good news for vegans is that the vast majority of Swedish fish are made without any animal ingredients at all. They are coated in a variety of colors and flavors, which can be quite appealing to the eye. However, it’s important to check the ingredient list on the packages because some varieties contain beeswax. This ingredient is not considered vegan, and it’s used to ensure that the individual candy pieces don’t stick together too easily.
The regular Swedish fish packaging includes the following ingredients: sugar, invert sugar, corn syrup, modified corn starch, citric acid, white mineral oil, natural and artificial flavor, Red 40 food dye, and carnauba wax. While this is a much shorter ingredient list than many other candies, some vegans may still want to be cautious and double-check that there are no other animal products in the ingredients. Sugar is often refined using bone char, which is considered to be an animal-derived product by some vegans. The other ingredients are all vegan-friendly, except for beeswax.
Luckily, the peg bag versions of Swedish fish are a safer bet for vegans as they don’t include any beeswax in the ingredients. This particular ingredient is used to ensure that the individual candies don’t stick together too firmly, and it’s not necessary for the taste of the candy itself. The other ingredient that’s a big no-no for vegans is palm kernel oil, which is included in the peg bags. This ingredient is controversial because cultivating it causes deforestation and destroys indigenous ecosystems.
It’s also worth mentioning that, even though they’re gummies, there’s no gelatin in these candies, which is an obvious no-no for vegans. Gelatin is a protein derived from animal hides and bones, which goes against the ethical principles of veganism.
The good news is that there are plenty of other candies available that do not contain gelatin, so you can continue to enjoy your favorite candy. If you’re looking for a delicious alternative, try the black licorice flavored Swedish fish that are made with carnauba wax, which is a plant-based substitute for gelatin.
Citric Acid
Swedish Fish are a popular gummy candy that was developed in the 1950s for the US market. They are shaped like fish and come in many colors and flavors. Unlike other gummy candies, Swedish Fish are completely vegan as they contain no gelatin and only sugars and corn derivatives.
The most important ingredient in Swedish Fish is citric acid, which adds a tangy, fruity flavor to the candy. It also serves as a preservative, extending the shelf life of the candies. The citric acid is derived from citrus fruits, such as oranges and lemons.
Besides the citric acid, Swedish Fish contain other natural and artificial flavorings and colorants. The colors are often derived from plants and may contain dyes that have been tested on animals. However, there are some brands that use food colorings that are sourced from insects and animal parts. Therefore, if you follow a strict vegan diet, it is crucial to check the label for any colorants that are not considered plant-based.
There are some variations in the ingredients used by different factories, making it hard to determine whether all packages of Swedish fish are vegan. The company that produces Swedish Fish in North America (Mondelez International) uses a different recipe than the one used by Malaco in Sweden. The North American version of the candy contains sugar, invert sugar, corn syrup, modified corn starch, carnauba wax, white mineral oil, and natural and artificial flavors. However, some packages of Swedish fish that are labelled as “vegan” contain beeswax instead of carnauba wax.
The candy is usually wrapped in plastic or paper. If you want to ensure that your Swedish fish are vegan, be sure to read the label and avoid those packaged in peg bags. The peg bag versions of the candy contain beeswax, which is not considered a vegan ingredient. Moreover, the candy that comes in plastic wrappers may contain gelatin, which is not suitable for vegans. Gelatin is a gel-like substance that is obtained from hydrolyzed collagen, which is derived from the skin and bones of animals.
