Is Milky Way Vegan?
Not Vegan
Not certifiedMilky Way bars are not vegan. Both the US and UK formulations contain multiple dairy ingredients (skim milk, milkfat, lactose, whey) and egg whites. The name "Milk Chocolate" in the bar's description alone signals the core issue, and the full ingredient list confirms it across every standard variety sold today.
The catch: The bar contains skim milk, milkfat, lactose, and egg whites in its standard formulation, making it off-limits for vegans regardless of region or size variant.
Category
Candy
Verdict
Not Vegan
Brand
Mars, Incorporated
com site reads: Milk Chocolate (Sugar, Cocoa Butter, Skim Milk, Chocolate, Lactose, Milkfat, Soy Lecithin, Artificial Flavor), Corn Syrup, Sugar, Palm Oil, Skim Milk, less than 2% of Milkfat, Cocoa Powder Processed With Alkali, Barley Malt Extract, Lactose, Salt, Egg Whites, Chocolate, Artificial Flavor. The UK version sold by Mars has a similar profile with skimmed milk powder, whey permeate, milk fat, and egg white powder called out explicitly.
The Milky Way Midnight (dark chocolate variant) still contains skim milk, milkfat, lactose, and egg whites, so switching to the "dark" version does not help. The ice cream bar version piles on additional cream, whey, and carrageenan.
There is no current vegan-certified Milky Way product sold by Mars in any major market as of 2025-2026. Barley malt extract is a plant-derived ingredient and is vegan, but it is worth noting for those avoiding gluten.
Palm oil is controversial among some vegans for environmental reasons, but it is not an animal ingredient.
What makes it non-vegan
- ✕Skim milk
- ✕Milkfat
- ✕Lactose
- ✕Egg whites
- ✕Whey permeate (UK)
Vegan alternatives
- ✓ No Whey! Foods Candy Bars (vegan nougat and caramel, sold as Milky Way and Snickers dupes)
- ✓ Twilight Bar by Go Max Go Foods (vegan nougat caramel bar)
- ✓ Loving Earth Chocolate Bars (various dairy-free varieties)
- ✓ Plamil Dairy-Free Chocolate Bars
- ✓ Endangered Species Dark Chocolate bars (check individual varieties for dairy-free status)
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Looking to make your own? Browse our vegan swaps.
Other candy
Frequently asked
Is Milky Way Vegan?
Milky Way bars are not vegan. Both the US and UK formulations contain multiple dairy ingredients (skim milk, milkfat, lactose, whey) and egg whites. The name "Milk Chocolate" in the bar's description alone signals the core issue, and the full ingredient list confirms it across every standard variety sold today.
What is the catch with Milky Way?
The bar contains skim milk, milkfat, lactose, and egg whites in its standard formulation, making it off-limits for vegans regardless of region or size variant.
What can I use instead of Milky Way?
Vegan options include No Whey! Foods Candy Bars (vegan nougat and caramel, sold as Milky Way and Snickers dupes), Twilight Bar by Go Max Go Foods (vegan nougat caramel bar), Loving Earth Chocolate Bars (various dairy-free varieties), Plamil Dairy-Free Chocolate Bars.
Is Milky Way certified vegan?
Milky Way 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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