Are Twizzlers Vegan?
It Depends
Not certifiedMost Twizzlers varieties (Twists, Nibs, Bites, Pull 'n' Peel) contain no gelatin or dairy and Hershey confirms the glycerin is vegetable-based, but Twizzlers Gummies contain gelatin and are not vegan, and strict vegans flag the likely use of bone-char-processed cane sugar across all varieties.
The catch: Twizzlers Gummies contain gelatin (animal-derived); all other varieties carry a bone-char sugar concern because Hershey sources sugar from ~20 suppliers and does not confirm whether any use bone-char filtration, a common practice with US cane sugar.
Category
Candy
Verdict
It Depends
Brand
Hershey
Which Twizzlers flavors are vegan?
| Flavor | Vegan? | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Strawberry Twists (original) | It Depends | No gelatin or dairy, glycerin is vegetable-based per Hershey, but US cane sugar may be bone-char filtered (unconfirmed by Hershey) |
| Cherry Twists | It Depends | Same base formula as Strawberry Twists, no gelatin or dairy, same bone-char sugar caveat applies |
| Twizzlers Gummies | Not Vegan | Contains gelatin (approximately 11.7% by weight, confirmed on Open Food Facts product listing) |
| Pull 'n' Peel (Cherry and other fruit) | It Depends | No gelatin or dairy, Hershey confirms vegetable-based glycerin, bone-char sugar concern applies |
| Nibs (Cherry) | It Depends | No gelatin or dairy, OU parve certified (confirmed via The Kosher Marketplace), bone-char sugar concern applies |
| Bites (Cherry, Strawberry) | It Depends | No gelatin or dairy, same base formula as Twists, bone-char sugar concern applies |
| Rainbow Twists | It Depends | No gelatin or dairy, same base formula with multiple artificial colors, bone-char sugar concern applies |
| Black Licorice Twists | It Depends | No gelatin or dairy, contains licorice extract, vegetable-based glycerin, bone-char sugar concern applies |
| Chocolate Twists (Hershey's Chocolate flavor) | It Depends | Contains cocoa and chocolate flavoring but no listed dairy ingredients, facility also processes milk products so cross-contamination risk exists, bone-char sugar concern applies |
| Filled Twists (Sweet and Sour, fruit varieties) | It Depends | No gelatin or dairy in ingredient list, filling is flavored candy paste not dairy-based, bone-char sugar and sodium lactate (typically plant-derived) concern applies |
| Sugar-Free Strawberry Twists | It Depends | No gelatin or dairy, uses maltitol syrup instead of cane sugar which sidesteps bone-char concern, but glyceryl monostearate sourcing is unconfirmed |
Twizzlers Gummies are unambiguously not vegan due to gelatin; all other product lines (Twists, Bites, Nibs, Pull 'n' Peel, Licorice Twists) are gelatin-free and dairy-free. Hershey has confirmed the glycerin in Twizzlers is vegetable-derived, removing that concern.
However, US cane sugar is frequently filtered through bone char, and Hershey has not confirmed bone-char-free sourcing, which matters to strict vegans. Mono- and diglycerides also appear in some varieties with unspecified sourcing, though these are typically plant-derived in industrial candy production.
There are no meaningful US vs. UK formulation differences documented for Twizzlers, as the brand is primarily a US product.
Related ingredient guides: Is sugar vegan? · Is gelatin vegan?
What makes it non-vegan
- ✕Gelatin (Twizzlers Gummies only, derived from animal bones/skin)
- ✕Refined cane sugar (likely bone-char filtered in US supply chain, unconfirmed by Hershey)
Vegan alternatives
- ✓ YumEarth Organic Licorice Twists (certified vegan, no artificial dyes)
- ✓ Panda Licorice (all-natural, vegan-friendly)
- ✓ Newman's Own Organics Licorice Twists (organic, vegan)
- ✓ Red Vines Original Red Twists (gelatin-free, widely considered 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 Twizzlers Vegan?
Most Twizzlers varieties (Twists, Nibs, Bites, Pull 'n' Peel) contain no gelatin or dairy and Hershey confirms the glycerin is vegetable-based, but Twizzlers Gummies contain gelatin and are not vegan, and strict vegans flag the likely use of bone-char-processed cane sugar across all varieties.
Do Twizzlers contain gelatin?
Only Twizzlers Gummies contain gelatin (about 11.7% by weight, confirmed on Open Food Facts). All other Twizzlers product lines including Twists, Pull 'n' Peel, Nibs, Bites, Filled Twists, and Licorice Twists achieve their chewy texture from wheat flour, corn syrup, and cornstarch and are gelatin-free.
Are Twizzlers gluten-free?
No. Enriched wheat flour is a primary ingredient across the entire Twizzlers lineup. No Twizzlers product carries a gluten-free certification, and the packaging lists wheat as an allergen. Anyone with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity should avoid all Twizzlers varieties.
Are Twizzlers kosher?
Most standard Twizzlers (Strawberry Twists, Nibs, and others) are certified OU Parve, meaning they contain neither meat nor dairy and meet Orthodox Union kosher standards. Twizzlers Gummies are an exception: their gelatin ingredient is animal-derived and the product is not kosher certified.
Are Twizzlers made on shared equipment with milk?
Yes. Multiple sources and Twizzlers facility disclosures confirm the products are manufactured in facilities that also process milk, eggs, and soy. The ingredient lists for standard fruit Twists and Nibs do not include dairy, but people with milk allergies should check current packaging for cross-contamination warnings, as these can change.
What is the catch with Twizzlers?
Twizzlers Gummies contain gelatin (animal-derived); all other varieties carry a bone-char sugar concern because Hershey sources sugar from ~20 suppliers and does not confirm whether any use bone-char filtration, a common practice with US cane sugar.
What can I use instead of Twizzlers?
Vegan options include YumEarth Organic Licorice Twists (certified vegan, no artificial dyes), Panda Licorice (all-natural, vegan-friendly), Newman's Own Organics Licorice Twists (organic, vegan), Red Vines Original Red Twists (gelatin-free, widely considered vegan).
Is Twizzlers certified vegan?
Twizzlers does not carry a third-party vegan certification, so the verdict here is based on its current ingredient list and manufacturer information.
Sources
- caring-consumer.com/brands/food/twizzlers
- www.foodreadme.com/are-twizzlers-vegan
- www.everythingvegan.com/blogs/is-it-vegan/are-twizzlers-vegan
- world.openfoodfacts.org/product/0034000938810/twizzlers-gummies
- world.openfoodfacts.org/product/0034000502448/twizzlers-filled-twists
- thekmp.com/products/twizzlers
- thekmp.com/products/twizzlers-nibs
- plantbasedrds.com/blog/are-twizzlers-vegan-plant-based-dietitians
- cremefilledchurros.com/are-twizzlers-gluten-free
- www.appalachianfood.com/are-twizzlers-truly-vegan
Last verified June 21, 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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