Non-GMO Candy: Embrace the Vegan Boom

Lots of people want non-GMO candy because GMOs threaten their health and the environment.

Similarly, many people want vegan, or fully plant-based, candy options.

• After all, the vegan lifestyle has several benefits for health.
• Also, it is a sustainable way of eating. Vegans have a much smaller carbon footprint than meat-eaters.

And veganism is the new mainstream.

• 15 million Americans—6%  of the U.S. population— are vegans.
• A 600% increase in the number of American vegans happened between 2014 and 2018.
• Millennial (ages 21-35) and Z generations (ages 20 and under) drive this vegan trend.

Many types of candy are both free of genetically modified ingredients and vegan.

So, sell candy that fits in both categories—non-GMO and vegan!

Read on for vegan candy product choices to sell without modified ingredients.

Learn more about why people choose non-GMO candy in my previous article.

 Vegan Candy: What’s Out? What’s In?

Since vegans avoid all products made from or produced by animals, several traditional candy ingredients are off-limits. 

What’s Out: Cow’s Milk.

• Traditional milk chocolate’s not an option for vegans.

What’s In: Dark Chocolate.

• There’s plenty of yummy dark chocolate out there. Vegans just have to make sure that a producer didn’t sneak in milk.
• As an added bonus, milk-free dark chocolate avoids a high-risk GMO ingredient. Many cows eat genetically modified feed, so milk’s likely to be modified.

What’s Also In: Ricemilk Chocolate.

• Vegans also look for producers that use plant-based milk instead of cow’s milk.
• Rice milk’s the most common plant milk used in vegan chocolate.

What’s Out: Gelatin.

• Gelatin’s made from animals. Vegans must make sure gummies don’t contain gelatin.

What’s In: Pectin.

• Pectin, a gelatin substitute, comes from ripe fruits. That means it’s completely plant-based.
• It’s usually a setting agent for jams and jellies.
• So, it also works well for vegan gummies!

What’s Out: Certain Red Food Dyes.

• Cochineal, also called carmine or Natural Red 4, comes from cochineal insects. That makes it an animal product.

What’s In: Plant-Based Natural Colors

• Fruit juice and vegetable juice make great vegan candy colors!

And for vegan candy to be non-GMO, producers must also be careful with certain plant ingredients.

• Soy, corn, and sugar from sugar beets are commonly modified.
• Most non-GMO producers avoid corn products, and source sugar from the sugarcane plant instead.
• They also check their soy lecithin, if they use it at all, to ensure it’s not modified.
• Other producers choose organic ingredients (including organic corn products and sugar) since they know that organic means unmodified.

Sweet Non-GMO Vegan Candy: Fruity

YumEarth 

YumEarth boasts a wide selection of natural, vegan candies, including lollipops, fruit snacks, hard candy, licorice, Sour Twists and Sour Beans. Plus, none of these candies are genetically modified!

YumEarth Organic Peach Licorice

• Enjoy a “peach” of this sweet, juicy licorice! Comes in bite-size pieces.
• USDA Certified Organic.
• Also, it’s fully vegan.
• In addition, it’s gluten-free (made with rice syrup), soy-free, and nut-free.
• Flavored with organic peach juice and colored with real fruit and vegetable juice.
• Made with organic cane sugar and organic corn syrup.

YumEarth Organic Fruit Snacks

• Your customers will love the “ripe-for-the-picking” flavor of these plant-based snacks!
• Includes a mix of assorted flavors: Banana Blast, Strawberry Smash, Very Very Cherry, and Perfectly Peach.
• Flavored with real fruit juice, and colored with a mix of fruit and vegetable juice.
• A USDA Organic and Non-GMO Project Verified candy.
• Also, they’re vegan, gluten-free, soy-free, and nut-free.
• Made with pectin from citrus peel.
• Contains organic rice syrup and organic cane sugar. No high fructose corn syrup allowed!
• Comes in mini snack bags, making these snacks perfect for sharing.

YumEarth Organic Sour Lollipops

• Open wide and prepare to pucker thanks to these sour suckers.
• Comes in these assorted flavors: Strawberry Smash, Googly Grape, and Very Very Cherry.
• A vegan, USDA Organic, and Non-GMO Project Verified candy.
• In addition, gluten-free, nut-free, and Kosher Pareve.
• Flavored with fruit juice and colored with apple, carrot, and blackcurrant.
• Made with organic cane sugar and brown rice syrup, instead of high fructose corn syrup.

Surf Sweets (Wholesome)

Fruity bears, sour worms, and gummy rings. Candy fish and fruit chews. You probably never imagined that vegan, natural versions of these beloved candies were available, without genetically modified ingredients. But think again, thanks to Surf Sweets and Wholesome! These fresh takes on the classics taste just as good as, if not better than, the originals.

Surf Sweets Sour Worms

• Tangy and sweet, these fruity worms will please every sour candy fan, especially vegans. And they won’t cause guilty feelings, either.
• A non-GMO, naturally vegan candy (made with pectin instead of gelatin).
• Made in a facility free of the top 10 food allergens, including nuts. Certified gluten-free.
• Also, made with organic fruit juice, and naturally colored. No artificial colors or flavors.
• Sweetened with organic cane sugar. So, free from corn syrup.
• In addition, contains 100% of the daily value of Vitamin C per serving!

Surf Sweets Organic Fruity Bears

• Vegan gummi bears with only natural ingredients—nothing artificial. Yum!
• Your customers will love the mouth-watering strawberry, grapefruit, orange, cherry, grape, and lemon flavors.
• USDA Organic and Non-GMO Project Verified.
• Sweetened and lightly sprinkled with organic cane sugar. So, no high fructose corn syrup.
• Also, packed with 100% the daily value of Vitamin C per serving!
• In addition, dairy-free, soy-free, nut-free, and gluten-free.
• Made with pectin, a vegan substitute for gelatin.
• An awesome choice for lunchboxes or after-school snacks. Kids love them!
• As a member of 1% for the Planet, Surf Sweets donates 1% of profits to environmental causes.

Surf Sweets Watermelon Organic Rings

• Summery fresh rings sprinkled with organic sugar. A new, vegan twist on gummi rings.
• Sweetened with organic cane sugar and organic fruit juice (no high fructose corn syrup).
• Made in a facility free of the top 10 food allergens, including nuts.
• USDA Certified Organic, Non-GMO Project Verified, and Certified Gluten-Free.
• Also, dairy-free and soy-free.
• Since they’re naturally vegan, pectin (not gelatin) gives them their gumminess.
•  No corn syrup, artificial colors, or artificial flavors.
• Colored with organic fruit and vegetable juice.
• In addition, contains 100% the daily value of Vitamin C per serving.
• The perfect family treats, any time of year.
• As a member of 1% for the Planet, Surf Sweets donates 1% of profits to environmental causes.

Sweet Non-GMO Vegan Candy: Chocolate

Endangered Species Chocolate

With many vegan dark chocolates and a commitment to donating 10% of net profits to wildlife conservation programs, Endangered Species truly makes animal-friendly chocolate.

Endangered Species Dark Chocolate with Cranberries and Almonds

• Rustic, crunchy, chewy, and sweet, this complex bar blends infused cranberries and roasted almonds with bittersweet dark chocolate.
• Fair Trade Certified, Kosher (D), and Non-GMO Project Verified.
• Also, Certified Vegan and Certified Gluten-Free.
• Learn more about grey wolves, an at-risk species, on the inside of the wrapper.
• A 72% cacao dark chocolate.
• Sweetened with cane sugar and made with unmodified soy lecithin.

Endangered Species Dark Chocolate with Lemon Poppy Seed

• A chocolate that reminds you of fresh lemon poppy seed muffins? Yep. Unique and delicious.
• It’s “a nostalgic taste experience you won’t soon forget.”
•  The playful texture of poppy seeds and bright lemon zest blend effortlessly with 60% cacao dark chocolate.
• Fair Trade Certified, and Non-GMO Project Verified.
• In addition, it’s Certified Vegan and Certified Gluten-Free.
• Sweetened with cane sugar and made with unmodified soy lecithin.
• On the inside of the bar, consumers will find information on the majestic leopard.
• Endangered Species recommends pairing the bar with a nutty chardonnay or espresso.

Alter Eco

Three values drive Alter Eco: make “reliably delicious” food, in a way that is “environmentally responsible” and “socially just.” The company works directly with small farmers under organic and Fair Trade standards. So, none of its chocolate has genetically modified ingredients. Also, Alter Eco offsets the carbon it emits, and reforests and replants land. For even more environmental friendliness, they offer several vegan products.

Alter Eco Dark Mint

• Deep, smooth dark chocolate contrasts with the punch of crunchy organic peppermint crystals. (The crystals are made with cocoa, cane sugar, and essence of peppermint).
• A fully vegan, indulgent 60% cacao bar.
• Made with only 6 simple ingredients, including single-origin, shade-grown cacao from Ecuador.
• Also, USDA Organic (100% organic ingredients) and Fair Trade Certified.
• In addition, it’s gluten-free.
• Never any soy, artificial flavors, artificial ingredients, or emulsifiers.

Alter Eco Deep Dark Sea Salt

• Finely balanced 70% cacao smooth dark chocolate and rare, hand-harvested Fleur de Sel de Guerande sea salt.
• So, it’s deep and malty, with a subtle crunch from the salt.
• Rich, bold, salty and sweet all at once.
• A satisfying, totally vegan bar, made with single-origin Ecuadorian cacao beans.
• In addition, USDA Organic, Fair Trade Certified, and gluten-free.
• Made with only 4 pure ingredients: Cacao beans, raw cane sugar, cocoa butter, and fleur de sel (sea salt).
• Never any soy, artificial flavors, artificial ingredients, or emulsifiers.

Alter Eco Dark Cacao

• Fruity Peruvian cacao nibs make this dark chocolate “as deep and sophisticated as your favorite Zinfandel.”
• In addition, the nibs’ brittle crunchy punch delivers an antioxidant boost.
• So, this 63% cacao bar delivers an “intense cacao explosion.”
• Fully vegan and gluten-free.
• Only 7 pure, simple ingredients, including Ecuadorian cacao and Madagascar vanilla.
• Also, USDA Organic (100% organic ingredients) and Fair Trade (100% fair trade ingredients)!
• Never any soy, artificial flavors, artificial ingredients, or emulsifiers.

Theo

Theo was the first company to make organic chocolate in the U.S., so it knows all about sourcing the highest-quality ingredients sustainably. Every bar’s organic and Fair Trade, so customers can trust that they’re all non-GMO as well. Even better, at least 5 of the bars are vegan.

Theo Black Rice Quinoa Crunch 85% Dark Chocolate 

• Lotus Foods’ famous Forbidden Rice combines with quinoa to give this bar a unique, satisfying crunch.
• 85% cacao dark chocolate made from Congolese and Peruvian cacao. Perfect for serious dark chocolate lovers.
• Also, includes Indonesian organic puffed black rice and Bolivian organic puffed quinoa.
• Made with only 6 pure ingredients, including organic cane sugar.
• USDA Organic, Non-GMO Project Verified, Fair for Life Fair Trade, and Kosher (D).
• In addition, vegan, gluten-free, and soy-free.
• Winner of the 2017 Delicious Living Best Bite Award.

Theo Coconut 70% Dark Chocolate 

• The finest 70% cacao dark chocolate, but with a sweet tropical twist.
• Escape to paradise thanks to toasted coconut.
• Made with only 5 pure ingredients—100% organic.
• Enjoy Congolese and Peruvian cacao, Brazilian cane sugar, and coconut from the Philipines.
• USDA Organic, Non-GMO Project Verified, Fair for Life Fair Trade, and Kosher (D).
• Also, a reliable vegan choice.
• In addition, gluten-free, and soy-free.

Enjoy Life

Enjoy Life prides itself on creating food, including chocolate, that everyone can enjoy. All of its BoomChocoBoom bars—and all other products— are free of 14 common allergens, Non-GMO, and gluten-free. Plus, they make 2 chocolate bars for vegans, including 1 bar produced with plant-based rice milk. Yum!

Enjoy Life Boom Choco Boom Rice Chocolate

• Milky, but completely dairy-free and plant-based, thanks to rice milk. The vegan answer to milk chocolate!
• Free of 14 common allergens, including soy, nuts, and wheat.
• Made with only 5 simple ingredients, including organic cane sugar.
• Also, Certified Vegan, Certified Gluten-Free, Kosher (Pareve), and Non-GMO Project Verified.

Enjoy Life Boom Choco Boom Dark Chocolate 

• Free of 14 common allergens, including dairy, soy, nuts, and wheat.
• Only 3 pure ingredients: unsweetened chocolate, cane sugar, and cocoa butter.
• A Certified Vegan candy choice.
• Also, Certified Gluten-Free, Kosher (Pareve), and Non-GMO Project Verified.
• In addition, suitable for those on the Paleo diet.

Free2B/Sun Cups

With every Sun Cups chocolate free of the top 12 allergens, gluten-free, and vegan, Free2B is truly “passionate about making foods that are kind to people, animals, and the planet.” But they don’t stop there. Every candy Free2B makes is also “over-the-top-tasty,” because vegans and people with food allergies shouldn’t have to settle for less.

Sun Cups Dark Chocolate 

• Perfect for vegans, as it’s completely plant-based.
• Also, suitable for those with food allergies, or for anyone who wants something similar to peanut butter cups, but without nuts.
• Made with SunButter sunflower butter, rather than peanut butter.
• Free from the top 12 food allergens, including dairy, soy, nuts, and wheat/gluten.
•  Non-GMO Project Verified and made with Rainforest Alliance Certified cocoa.
• In addition, free from artificial sweeteners, flavors, and colors.
• Plus, free from hydrogenated oils, cholesterol, and trans fats.

Sun Cups Rice Chocolate Minis

• Take a bite of these crave-able, delicious,  bite-sized mini cups.
• They may taste milky, but they’re totally vegan and dairy-free. Thank you, rice milk!
• Made with SunButter creamy sunflower seed butter. So, they’re a nut-free alternative to peanut butter cups.
• Free from the top 12 food allergens, including soy, nuts, and wheat/gluten.
•  Non-GMO Project Verified, Kosher (Pareve), and made with Fair Trade ingredients.
• In addition, free from artificial sweeteners, flavors, and colors.
• Plus, free from hydrogenated oils, cholesterol, and trans fats.
• With a zip bag, they’re perfect for sharing… or hoarding them for later, where no one else can find them.

Interested in selling vegan non-GMO candy, and riding the vegan wave? Turn to GreenDropShip.com. You’ll enjoy wholesale prices and fast transit times, plus all the advantages of blind drop shipping. Learn more.