According to Wikipedia, Starburst (originally known as Opal Fruits) is the brand name of a box-shaped, fruit-flavored soft taffy candy manufactured by The Wrigley Company, a subsidiary of Mars. Opal Fruits were originally introduced in the the UK by Mars in 1960 and were introduced in the US in 1967. The original flavors were strawberry, lemon, orange, and lime; but has since been changed to strawberry, lemon, orange, and cherry. Over the years there has been some discussion and confusion as to if Starburst are vegan-friendly, so in this article we look into the question “Are Starburst Vegan?” and evaluate all Starburst products. Since the ingredients and flavors can vary by country, this analysis covers the varieties sold in the United States and United Kingdom markets. However, the ingredients appear to be similar across other markets.
A full vegan-friendly analysis of each Starburst variety can be found in the following sections.
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Controversial Vegan Ingredients
Before we start our vegan analysis, we would like to make note of the controversial ingredients that are assumed to be vegan in this analysis. Even though we consider them to be vegan, we will still highlight these ingredients if they appear in any posted ingredient lists. These controversial ingredients include:
Sugar
Palm Oil and Palm Fat
Natural and Artificial Flavorings
Natural flavors can come from both animal or plant sources, but the natural flavors in candies are typically from plant sources. Those natural flavors from animal-origin will be highlighted if known.
Colors
Some food colors are controversial in the vegan community. This is because food colors are often tested on animals. In this article we assume all food colors are vegan, unless the color itself is from an animal or insect origin (e.g. Carmine).
Starburst Chews
Corn Syrup, Sugar, Hydrogenated Palm Kernel Oil, Fruit Juice from Concentrate (Apple, Lemon, Strawberry, Orange, Cherry), Less Than 2%- Citric Acid, Dextrin, Gelatin, Food Starch-Modified, Natural and Artificial Flavors, Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C), Coloring (Red 40, Yellow 5, Yellow 6, Blue 1).
Glucose Syrup, Sugar, Palm Fat, Concentrated Fruit Juices 1.4%* (Apple, Orange, Blackcurrant, Strawberry, Lime, Lemon), Acid Citric Acid, Modified Starch, Acid Malic Acid, Dextrin, Flavourings, Maltodextrin, Antioxidant Ascorbic Acid, Emulsifier Lecithin, Colours Anthocyanins, Beta – Carotene; Spirulina Extract, *Equivalent to 11.5% Fruit Juice.
Additional Information
- Free From Artificial Colours, Free From Artificial Flavours.
- Suitable for Vegetarians.
Are Original Starburst Vegan?
There is one ingredient of concern in the US Starburst ingredients list: Gelatin. According to Peta, “Gelatin is a protein procured by boiling animal skin, tendons, cartilage, ligaments, and/or bones in water. It’s usually obtained from cows, pigs, or fish.” As Gelatin is a animal-derived ingredient, it is usually not considered to be vegan or vegetarian. However, Gelatin is absent from the ingredient list of the UK based Starbursts. Since there is a discrepancy in the ingredient lists between markets, you should read the ingredient on each product before purchase to insure you receive the vegan variety. In general, Original Starburst in the United States are NOT vegan, but those in the United Kingdom are vegan-friendly.
Other Starburst Chews Flavors
Besides the Original flavored chews, Starburst comes in a variety of other flavor options in the United States and United Kingdom. The ingredients are typically the same across flavors (except for flavorings), but a breakdown of each additional flavor is provided below.
United States Flavors
Starburst chews in the United States come in 4 additional flavors. A vegan-friendly analysis of each is as follows.
- FaveREDs Starburst in the US are NOT vegan (Contains Gelatin)
- Tropical Starburst are NOT vegan (Contains Gelatin)
- Fruity Slushies Starburst are NOT vegan (Contains Gelatin)
- All Pink Starburst are NOT vegan (Contains Gelatin)
United Kingdom Flavors
Starburst chews in the United Kingdom come in 2 additional flavors. A vegan-friendly analysis of each is as follows.
- FaveREDs Starburst in the UK are vegan
- Very Berry Starburst in the UK are vegan
Starburst Minis
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Sugar, Corn Syrup, Palm Oil; Less than 2% of: Citric Acid, Pectin, Sodium Citrate, Apple Juice from Concentrate, Natural and Artificial Flavors, Mono- and Diglycerides, Confectioner’s Glaze, Colors (Yellow 6, Red 40, Yellow 5, Blue 1), Carnauba Wax.
Sugar, Glucose Syrup, Palm Fat, Acid Citric Acid, Concentrated Fruit Juices 1.4%* (Apple, Orange, Blackcurrant, Strawberry, Lime, Lemon), Dextrin, Flavourings, Modified Starch, Maltodextrin, Emulsifier Lecithin, Colour Anthocyanins, Palm Kernel Oil, Concentrates (Sweet Potato, Carthamus, Radish), Colours Beta-Carotene, Vegetable Carbon, *Equivalent to 11.5% Fruit Juice.
Additional Information
- Suitable for Vegetarians.
Are Starburst Minis Vegan?
While Gelatin is noticeably absent from the Starburst Minis ingredients list, there is a different ingredient of concern on the US Starburst Minis packaging: Confectioner’s Glaze. According to Wikipedia, Confectioner‘s Glaze (aka Shellac) is made from the secretions of female lac bugs found in India and Thailand. As Shellac/Confectioner’s Glaze is a insect-derived ingredient, it is usually not considered to be vegan friendly. Once again, the non-vegan ingredient is absent from the ingredient list of the UK based Starbursts. Since there is a discrepancy in the ingredient lists between markets, you should read the ingredient on each product before purchase to insure you receive the vegan variety. In general, Starburst Minis in the United States are NOT vegan, but those in the United Kingdom are vegan-friendly.
Starburst Gummies
Corn Syrup, Sugar, Hydrogenated Palm Kernel Oil, Apple Juice from Concentrate, Less than 2% (en) Citric Acid, Tapioca Dextrin, Gelatin, Modified Corn Starch, Artificial and Natural Flavors, Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C), Coloring (Red 40, Blue 1).
Corn Syrup, Sugar, Hydrogenated Palm Kernel Oil, Apple Juice from Concentrate, Less than 2% (en) Citric Acid, Tapioca Dextrin, Gelatin, Modified Corn Starch, Artificial and Natural Flavors, Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C), Coloring (Red 40, Blue 1).
Are Starburst Gummies Vegan?
Based on the information available online, Starburst Gummies are only available in the United States. The ingredients list for both flavors of Gummies (Original and Sour) show Gelatin in the ingreidents. As mentioned earlier, Gelatin is a protein procured by boiling animal skin, tendons, cartilage, ligaments, and/or bones in water and is not vegetarian or vegan friendly. Therefore, Starburst Gummies are NOT vegan friendly.
Starburst Jelly Beans
Sugar, Corn Syrup, Modified Corn Starch, Less than 2% of: Apple Juice from Concentrate, Citric Acid, Acacia, Colors (Blue 1, Yellow 6, Yellow 5, Red 40, Titanium Dioxide), Natural and Artificial Flavors, Sodium Citrate, Carnauba Wax, Confectioner’s Glaze.
Are Starburst Jelly Beans Vegan?
Based on the information available online, Starburst Jelly Beans are only available in the United States. The ingredients list once again shows “Confectioner’s Glaze” in the ingredients. As mentioned earlier, is made from the secretions of female lac bugs and is not vegetarian or vegan friendly. Therefore, Starburst Jelly Beans are NOT vegan friendly.
Starburst Chewing Gum
Sweeteners Xylitol, Sorbitol, Mannitol, Aspartame, Acesulfame K, Gum Base, Thickener Gum Arabic, Flavourings, Humectant Glycerol, Emulsifier Soybean Lecithin, Acids Citric Acid, Malic Acid, Colour E172, Glazing Agent Carnauba Wax, Antioxidant BHA, Colours E100, E133
Additional Information
- Suitable for Vegetarians.
Are Starburst Chewing Gum Vegan?
Based on the information available online, Starburst Chewing Gum is only available in the United Kingdom. No animal-derived ingredients appear on the packaging. Therefore, Starburst Chewing Gum is vegan friendly!
Vegan Starburst Alternative: Wholesome Organic Fruit Chews
Image from Wholesome Foods
Since Starburst products in the United States are almost always non-vegan, we felt it was necessary to give you a Starburst alternative. The Organic Fruit Chews by Wholesome are USDA Organic, Non-GMO Project Verified, Vegan, Certified Gluten Free, and Contains No High Fructose Corn Syrup. You can purchase Wholesome’s Fruit Chews directly on their website.
Additional Starburst FAQs
Q: Do Starburst Have Gelatin?
Yes, both Starburst Original Chews and Starburst Gummies contain Gelatin in the United States. However, Gelatin is not found in Starburst products in the United Kingdom.
Q: What Type of Gelatin is in Starburst?
The Gelatin found in most Starburst products is derived from Beef. However, the Gelatin found in Starburst Gummies is derived from Pork.
Q: Are Starburst Vegetarian?
All Starburst products in the United States contain either Gelatin or Confectioner’s Glaze. Depending on ones stance on Confectioner’s Glaze being vegetarian, Starburst Minis and Starburst Jelly Beans could be considered vegetarian. All other Starburst products in the United States are not vegetarian. However, Starburst products in the United Kingdom do not include these ingredients and are vegetarian.
Q: Are Starburst Jelly Beans Vegetarian?
Starburst Jelly Beans contain Confectioner’s Glaze (aka Shellac) in the ingredients. According to Wikipedia, Confectioner’s Glaze (aka Shellac) is made from the secretions of female lac bugs and is not considered a vegetarian ingredient. Therefore, Starburst Jelly Beans are NOT vegetarian.
Q: Are Starburst Dairy Free?
All Starburst products evaluated in this article contain no dairy-based products. Therefore, Starburst products are dairy free!
Q: Are Starburst Gluten Free?
None of the Starburst products contain gluten-based ingredients. Therefore, all Starburst products are gluten free.
Q: Are Starburst Jelly Beans Gluten Free?
Starburst Jelly Beans do not contain any gluten-based ingredients. Therefore, Starburst Jelly Beans are gluten free.
Q: Are Starburst Halal?
Starburst products in the United States usually contain beef or pork Gelatin in the ingredients. Therefore, Starburst in the US are NOT Halal. However, Starburst products in the United Kingdom do not contain Gelatin and are Halal-friendly.
Q: Are Starburst Jelly Beans Halal?
Starburst Jelly Beans contain Confectioner’s Glaze (aka Shellac) in the ingredients. According to Ask The Sheikh, Shellac is typically considered khabith (filthy) and is NOT Halal to consume. Therefore, Starburst Jelly Beans are NOT Halal.
Q: What are Starburst wrappers made of?
Starburst wrappers are made of non-toxic wax paper.
Q: Are Starburst Wrappers Edible?
Starburst wrapper are not intended to be edible as they are made of non-toxic wax paper. However, they will not harm you if they happen to be consumed (besides the unpleasant taste and texture).
Summary
Moral of the Starburst story is that they are most likely vegan if you are based in the United Kingdom. If However, if you are in the United States then no products are vegan as listed on Mar’s website. Some products do get shipped between countries so some products in the US could be vegan-friendly (always check the ingredients) and vise-versa.
You can read about other vegan snack options here.
