Vegans are no different to non-vegans when it comes to having a sweet tooth- yes- we like candy too. There is a huge range of vegan candies for us to indulge in, however for those that are not clearly marked it can be a worry.
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So here are the things you should look out for and what the confusing names really mean.
Carmine: Is also called 'cochineal' and is a pigment obtained from scale insects. It is used in the manufacturing of candy to give it its bright red colour.
Gelatin: Is a see-through, flavourless food derived from animal by-products from the meat and leather industries. It comes from pork skins, tendons and ligaments as well as horse, cattle and pig bones. It is used as a gelling agent in many gummy candies.
Shellac: Is a resin secreted by the female lac bug and is also known as confectioner's glaze. It is found in the forests of India and Thailand. The product is sold as dry flakes, which are then dissolved to make a brush on colourant or food glaze.
Bone char: This is a granular material obtained from charring up animal bones. It was often used in the sugar refining process as an agent to decolour the sugar before sale.
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