Are Twizzlers Vegan?
It Depends
Most Twizzlers varieties (Twists, Nibs, Bites, Pull 'n' Peel) contain no gelatin or dairy and Hershey confirms the glycerin is vegetable-based, but Twizzlers Gummies contain gelatin and are not vegan, and strict vegans flag the likely use of bone-char-processed cane sugar across all varieties.
The catch: Twizzlers Gummies contain gelatin (animal-derived); all other varieties carry a bone-char sugar concern because Hershey sources sugar from ~20 suppliers and does not confirm whether any use bone-char filtration, a common practice with US cane sugar.
Category
Candy
Verdict
It Depends
Brand
Hershey
Twizzlers Gummies are unambiguously not vegan due to gelatin; all other product lines (Twists, Bites, Nibs, Pull 'n' Peel, Licorice Twists) are gelatin-free and dairy-free. Hershey has confirmed the glycerin in Twizzlers is vegetable-derived, removing that concern.
However, US cane sugar is frequently filtered through bone char, and Hershey has not confirmed bone-char-free sourcing, which matters to strict vegans. Mono- and diglycerides also appear in some varieties with unspecified sourcing, though these are typically plant-derived in industrial candy production.
There are no meaningful US vs. UK formulation differences documented for Twizzlers, as the brand is primarily a US product.
What makes it non-vegan
- ✕Gelatin (Twizzlers Gummies only, derived from animal bones/skin)
- ✕Refined cane sugar (likely bone-char filtered in US supply chain, unconfirmed by Hershey)
Vegan alternatives
- ✓YumEarth Organic Licorice Twists (certified vegan, no artificial dyes)
- ✓Panda Licorice (all-natural, vegan-friendly)
- ✓Newman's Own Organics Licorice Twists (organic, vegan)
- ✓Red Vines Original Red Twists (gelatin-free, widely considered vegan)
Looking to make your own? Browse our vegan swaps.
Other candy
Sources
Last checked June 19, 2026. Always confirm on the current product label, since recipes change. Product photo via Open Food Facts.
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