Are Haribo Goldbears Vegan?
Not Vegan
Not certifiedHaribo Goldbears are not vegan in any of their standard formulations worldwide, as they contain pork-derived gelatin and are coated with beeswax, both animal-derived ingredients.
The catch: Gelatin (pork-derived in the US, UK, and Germany) is the primary non-vegan ingredient, used to give the bears their chewy texture; beeswax is an additional non-vegan glazing agent.
Category
Candy
Verdict
Not Vegan
Brand
Haribo
Standard Goldbears made in the US, UK, Germany, Austria, Spain, and France all use pork gelatin, making them unsuitable even for vegetarians. The sole exception is Haribo produced in Turkey, which uses halal-certified beef gelatin instead of pork gelatin; this is still not vegan but differs by animal source.
com) reads: glucose syrup, sugar, gelatin, dextrose, citric acid, artificial and natural flavors, sunflower oil, white beeswax, yellow beeswax, and artificial colors. In the UK, Haribo sells a Soft Jelly Bear (halal, fruit-juice-based, gelatin-free) that some vegans consider acceptable, but the classic Goldbears range there remains non-vegan.
Related ingredient guides: Is gelatin vegan? · Is beeswax vegan?
What makes it non-vegan
- ✕Gelatin (pork-derived)
- ✕White beeswax
- ✕Yellow beeswax
Vegan alternatives
- ✓ Surf Sweets Organic Gummy Bears (pectin-based, vegan)
- ✓ Annie's Organic Bunny Fruit Snacks (pectin-based, vegan)
- ✓ SmartSweets Fruity Gummy Bears (plant-based, low sugar)
- ✓ Black Forest Organic Gummy Bears (pectin-based, vegan)
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Prefer to make it from scratch? Try our vegan caramel, marshmallow fluff, or chocolate ganache recipes, or browse all vegan swaps.
Other candy
Frequently asked
Are Haribo Goldbears Vegan?
Haribo Goldbears are not vegan in any of their standard formulations worldwide, as they contain pork-derived gelatin and are coated with beeswax, both animal-derived ingredients.
What is the catch with Haribo Goldbears?
Gelatin (pork-derived in the US, UK, and Germany) is the primary non-vegan ingredient, used to give the bears their chewy texture; beeswax is an additional non-vegan glazing agent.
What can I use instead of Haribo Goldbears?
Vegan options include Surf Sweets Organic Gummy Bears (pectin-based, vegan), Annie's Organic Bunny Fruit Snacks (pectin-based, vegan), SmartSweets Fruity Gummy Bears (plant-based, low sugar), Black Forest Organic Gummy Bears (pectin-based, vegan).
Is Haribo Goldbears certified vegan?
Haribo Goldbears does not carry a third-party vegan certification, so the verdict here is based on its current ingredient list and manufacturer information.
Sources
Last verified June 20, 2026. See how we verify. Always confirm on the current product label, since recipes change. Product photo via Open Food Facts.
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