You may not live in a pineapple under the sea, but if you’re a fan of the SpongeBob SquarePants-inspired Krabby Patty candies from Frankford Candy, you might be wondering if they’re vegan-friendly.
Animal products lurk in many candies, and Krabby Patties are no different. We’re sorry to say that this candy is almost certainly NOT vegan.
If you’re following a plant-based, Earth-friendly lifestyle, we’ll tell you below why you should probably skip the Krabby Patties.
Why are Krabby Patties Not Considered Vegan?
If you’re new to Krabby Patties, the gummies are a nod to a dish served at the fictional Krusty Krab.
The recipe for the cartoon patties is a closely guarded secret first kept under character Mr. Krabs’ mattress and later in the restaurant’s safe. But in the real world, we’re entitled to know what’s in our food.Â
A close look at the back of a bag of Krabby Patties reveals that the third ingredient listed is gelatin, which is typically derived from the skin, bones, and tissue of either cows or pigs.
Now, there are forms of gelatin – commonly referred to on product packaging as agar – that are derived from red marine algae.
Interestingly, agar is also an ingredient in Krabby Patties. But the fact that both ingredients are listed indicates that the gelatin is likely an animal product. The company has not addressed this directly, but there’s no mistaking it.
Gelatin is present in Krabby Patties regardless of the flavor, and these include original, green apple, grape, cherry, and blue raspberry.
What Else Is In Krabby Patties Candy?
On SpongeBob SquarePants, the Krabby Patty takes the form of a burger with a sesame seed bun, sea cheese, sea lettuce, sea tomatoes, pickles, ketchup, mustard, mayonnaise, and sea onions. But the source of the patty and secret sauce is unknown.
To make the candy more reminiscent of the Krusty Krab’s bestseller, it also takes the form of a burger with a gummy bun, a gummy patty, and gummy lettuce. But we do know what’s in these (other than gelatin and agar).
Other Krabby Patties candy ingredients include:
- Glucose syrup, which is derived from corn and acts as a sweetener and gives candies a smooth texture by preventing sugar from crystallizing.
- Sugar is the most common ingredient, which also acts as a sweetener.
- Sorbitol is a sugar alcohol that keeps gummy candies from hardening by helping them retain moisture.
- Modified corn starch is a thickener and stabilizer to give gummies their texture.
- Citric acid and malic acid are both preservatives that give gummies a long shelf life and add to their tangy flavor.
- Artificial flavors, which come in a variety of formulas and are used to give candies a specific taste, such as cherry, grape, strawberry, etc.
- A glazing agent (made from palm oil and carnauba wax) is used to give gummies a shiny look and prevent them from sticking to each other.
- Sodium citrate is used to control a candy’s acidity.
- Artificial colors (made with titanium dioxide, Yellow 5, Yellow 6, Red 40, and Blue 1), which are products used to give candies their color. These are not animal derived, but they’ve been tested on animals.
Other Important Nutritional Information About Krabby Patties Candy
Krabby Patties candy is neither vegan nor vegetarian but they are advertised as being dairy-free, egg-free, gluten-free, and soy-free.
While they are also nut-free, the packaging specifically notes that the candy is made in a facility that processes nuts and should therefore be avoided by those with nut allergies.
While gelatin may seem so far removed from animal slaughter that it hardly counts as an animal product, it still relies on a process that involves animal cruelty. Cows and pigs are typically killed for their meat, and using the leftover collagen to create gelatin is a way of using the leftovers.
The good news is that gummy candies aren’t off-limits to vegans altogether.
Gelatin replacements such as agar-agar, pectin, xanthan gum, and carrageenan are all substitutes that candy companies can use in order to make vegan-friendly gummy candy.
But these products may be more expensive to procure and use, so the end product will be a tad more expensive.
Vegans are likely to see more candy available to them in the near future, especially from companies that export their goods to the U.K.
New Brexit rules impose taxes on products that contain anything derived from animals, so it’s becoming more cost-effective to adopt vegan recipes and create delicious and sustainable dairy and gelatin-free candy.
Vegan Candy Alternatives to Krabby Patties
Here’s a list of vegan candy and gummy brands that might be able to satisfy your sweet tooth:
- Annie’s Homegrown: Known for their wholesome ingredients, Annie’s offers vegan fruit snacks that are gelatin-free and made with real fruit juice.
- Sour Patch Kids: A tangy treat, the original Sour Patch Kids are generally considered vegan as they do not contain gelatin or other animal-derived ingredients.
- Swedish Fish: With a unique taste, the original Swedish Fish are often considered vegan and make for a great alternative to gelatin-based candies.
- SmartSweets: If you are looking to cut down on sugar, SmartSweets offers low-sugar gummy candies. Their vegan range includes Sweet Fish, Sour Blast Buddies, and Peach Rings.
- YumEarth: YumEarth offers a range of candies, including gummies and licorice that are vegan-friendly. They focus on using organic and simple ingredients.
- No Whey Foods: Specializing in allergy-friendly and vegan chocolates and candies, No Whey Foods offers alternatives like PeaNot Cups and Chocolate No No’s.
- Go Max Go Foods: Craving a candy bar? Go Max Go Foods has vegan versions of popular candy bars, such as Jokerz (similar to Snickers) and Buccaneer (similar to 3 Musketeers).
- Dandies: For marshmallow lovers, Dandies offers gelatin-free marshmallows which can be a sweet addition to your vegan pantry.
- Enjoy Life Foods: Another brand catering to allergy-friendly requirements, Enjoy Life Foods has a selection of vegan chocolates and sweets.
Summary
Unfortunately, a quick glance at the label and it becomes evident that Krabby Patties incorporate gelatin – a substance predominantly sourced from animal collagen.
On a brighter note, the world of confectionery does not end here for vegans! There’s an abundant treasure trove of vegan sweets waiting to be explored, and we’ve included some of those delicious options in this article.
