Is Red Vines Vegan?
Vegan
Not certifiedRed Vines Original Red Twists and Black Licorice Twists contain no animal-derived ingredients. American Licorice Company states on their official FAQ that Red Vines products do not contain any animal products. The classic formula relies on corn syrup rather than refined cane sugar, which sidesteps the bone char concern that strict vegans raise about white sugar. The "Made Simple" line does use cane sugar, and the company has not disclosed whether that sugar is bone-char-free, so hyper-strict vegans may want to avoid that sub-line.
The catch: The "Made Simple" line uses cane sugar whose bone-char refining status is unconfirmed by the company, a concern only for strict vegans who avoid conventionally refined sugar.
Category
Candy
Verdict
Vegan
Brand
American Licorice Company
Classic Original Red Twists: corn syrup, wheat flour, citric acid, artificial flavor, Red 40. No gelatin, no dairy, no eggs, no beeswax, no shellac, no carmine.
Black Licorice Twists: molasses, wheat flour, corn syrup, caramel coloring, licorice extract, salt, anise flavor. Also no animal derivatives.
American Licorice Company explicitly says "Red Vines products do not contain any animal products" on their FAQ page. Red 40 (Allura Red) is a synthetic dye and is vegan.
) swaps corn syrup for cane sugar and uses natural colorants like radish extract. S.
refineries use bone char to filter and whiten cane sugar. The company has not published a bone-char-free statement for this sub-line.
Most vegans consider the standard classic line a safe pick. Strict vegans who avoid any potentially bone-char-processed sugar should stick to the classic corn-syrup version or contact the company.
Red Vines are not gluten-free (contain wheat flour). No cross-contamination with animal products is declared.
Vegan alternatives
- ✓ Twizzlers Strawberry Twists (also vegan by ingredient, same sugar caveat applies)
- ✓ YumEarth Organic Licorice Bites (organic cane sugar, certified bone-char-free by USDA organic rules)
- ✓ Panda Soft Licorice (molasses-based, no refined cane sugar)
- ✓ Trader Joe's Scandinavian Licorice (no gelatin or shellac)
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Looking to make your own? Browse our vegan swaps.
Other candy
Frequently asked
Is Red Vines Vegan?
Red Vines Original Red Twists and Black Licorice Twists contain no animal-derived ingredients. American Licorice Company states on their official FAQ that Red Vines products do not contain any animal products. The classic formula relies on corn syrup rather than refined cane sugar, which sidesteps the bone char concern that strict vegans raise about white sugar. The "Made Simple" line does use cane sugar, and the company has not disclosed whether that sugar is bone-char-free, so hyper-strict vegans may want to avoid that sub-line.
What is the catch with Red Vines?
The "Made Simple" line uses cane sugar whose bone-char refining status is unconfirmed by the company, a concern only for strict vegans who avoid conventionally refined sugar.
What can I use instead of Red Vines?
Vegan options include Twizzlers Strawberry Twists (also vegan by ingredient, same sugar caveat applies), YumEarth Organic Licorice Bites (organic cane sugar, certified bone-char-free by USDA organic rules), Panda Soft Licorice (molasses-based, no refined cane sugar), Trader Joe's Scandinavian Licorice (no gelatin or shellac).
Is Red Vines certified vegan?
Red Vines 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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