Is Ice Breakers Vegan?
It Depends
Not certifiedIce Breakers splits cleanly by product type. The gum line (Ice Cubes) is not vegan: Hershey confirms on their own website that "ICE BREAKERS gum products contain gelatin which is derived from pork." The mint line (Coolmint, Spearmint, Wintergreen, Cinnamon, Sours, Duo) contains no gelatin and no pork derivatives per Hershey, but the mints do list magnesium stearate, which Hershey told the Vegetarian Resource Group is "usually" animal-derived. No carmine or shellac appears in any Ice Breakers product.
The catch: The Ice Cubes gum contains pork-derived gelatin, confirmed by Hershey. The mints dodge gelatin but carry magnesium stearate that Hershey itself has described as usually coming from animal fat.
Category
Candy
Verdict
It Depends
Brand
Hershey
" That clears the mint line of the gelatin concern but does not address magnesium stearate. The Vegetarian Resource Group contacted Hershey directly and reported in 2016 that Ice Breakers magnesium stearate is "usually" animal-derived.
The word "usually" leaves room for batch variation and Hershey has not provided a blanket plant-source guarantee since. Duo fruit flavors (Strawberry, Raspberry, Watermelon, Grape) also contain hydrogenated palm oil, which is plant-based but raises environmental concerns some vegans weigh.
Artificial colors used are Red 40, Yellow 5, Yellow 6, and Blue 1, all synthetic. No shellac, no carmine, no honey, no dairy, no egg in any listed formulation.
Strict vegans who treat unclear magnesium stearate as a disqualifier will want to skip the mints; those who focus on direct animal ingredients and accept the stearate ambiguity may consider the mint tins acceptable while avoiding the gum entirely.
What makes it non-vegan
- ✕gelatin (pork-derived, in Ice Cubes gum line)
- ✕magnesium stearate (usually animal-derived per Hershey, in mint line)
Vegan alternatives
- ✓ PUR Gum (xylitol-based, explicitly vegan, no gelatin)
- ✓ Simply Gum (plant-based gum base, no synthetic ingredients)
- ✓ Tic Tac Mints (US formulation confirmed vegan, no gelatin or stearate issues)
- ✓ Peppersmith Mints (UK brand, plant-based, explicitly vegan certified)
- ✓ Ice Breakers Coolmint Mints (if you accept the magnesium stearate ambiguity and are avoiding gelatin specifically)
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
Looking to make your own? Browse our vegan swaps.
Other candy
Frequently asked
Is Ice Breakers Vegan?
Ice Breakers splits cleanly by product type. The gum line (Ice Cubes) is not vegan: Hershey confirms on their own website that "ICE BREAKERS gum products contain gelatin which is derived from pork." The mint line (Coolmint, Spearmint, Wintergreen, Cinnamon, Sours, Duo) contains no gelatin and no pork derivatives per Hershey, but the mints do list magnesium stearate, which Hershey told the Vegetarian Resource Group is "usually" animal-derived. No carmine or shellac appears in any Ice Breakers product.
What is the catch with Ice Breakers?
The Ice Cubes gum contains pork-derived gelatin, confirmed by Hershey. The mints dodge gelatin but carry magnesium stearate that Hershey itself has described as usually coming from animal fat.
What can I use instead of Ice Breakers?
Vegan options include PUR Gum (xylitol-based, explicitly vegan, no gelatin), Simply Gum (plant-based gum base, no synthetic ingredients), Tic Tac Mints (US formulation confirmed vegan, no gelatin or stearate issues), Peppersmith Mints (UK brand, plant-based, explicitly vegan certified).
Is Ice Breakers certified vegan?
Ice Breakers 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.
Comments