If you’re vegan, you might be wondering if the Huer Gummy Bears are vegan. In this blog post, we’ll take a closer look at the ingredient list of this product and provide some vegan alternatives. Stay tuned!
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Huer sells a vegan line of gummy bears made with pectin, as well as a non-vegan line made either with pork gelatin or beef gelatin. The vegan product is clearly labeled with the word ‘Vegan’ on the packaging, making it easy to identify.
In this article, we explore:
- The Huer Brand
- Ingredient Breakdown: Huer Gummy Bears (Vegan vs Not Vegan)
- The Bottom Line
1. The Huer Brand
Huer is a Canadian confectionery company that specializes in bulk and packaged soft and chewy candy.
Founded in 1986, they have become Canada’s leading distributor of branded and private-label confectionery.
Their products sell in a range of retail stores in Canada, and they also have an Amazon store for the online sale of their products.
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2. Ingredient Breakdown: Huer Gummy Bears (Vegan vs Not Vegan)
Huer’s vegan line of gummies, Sensible Sweets, is made without the use of gelatin. Instead, they are made with pectin, which is a plant-based ingredient.
Pectin is a natural thickener and gelling agent that is derived from fruits and vegetables. It is often used in jelly and jam recipes to give them their characteristic gel-like texture.
Another difference you will notice between the vegan gummy to the non-vegan one is that in the vegan formula, all coloring agents are natural, as opposed to synthetic ones in the non-vegan formula.
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2.1. Huer Sensible Sweets Vegan Bears
Ingredients: Sugars (glucose syrup, sugar), Water, pectin, citric acid, sodium citrate, natural flavors, vegetable oil (palm and coconut), turmeric, sodium copper chlorophyllin, paprika, anthocyanins, carnauba wax.
The first ingredient of this formula is sugar and glucose syrup. They provide the bulk of the gummies and act as sweeteners.
The water in the formula is used as a solvent in which the other ingredients are dissolved. It also helped to form the pectin gel.
Pectin is a natural plant-based ingredient derived from fruits and vegetables that is used as a thickener and gelling agent in this formula. It gives the gummies their characteristic gel-like structure.
Citric Acid can have many different roles in this formula. It provides some tartness and balances out the sweetness of the sugars. It also acts as a preservative by lowering the pH of the product.
Sodium Citrate is a salt of sodium citric acid, and it is used both as a preservative and also to provide a salty and slightly sour flavor.
Natural Flavors are added to provide taste and smell to the gummies.
Vegetable Oil helps keep the gummies moist by preventing them to dry out. In addition, the oil coats the gummies which prevents them from sticking together.
Turmeric is used to make some gummies yellow, providing the color without using artificial colorants. Turmeric is a spice that has been used in Indian cuisine for centuries. It has a distinct flavor and bright yellow color that makes it a popular choice for curries and other dishes. While the amount of turmeric used in these gummies is probably very low, turmeric is known for its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.
Sodium copper chlorophyllin (SCC) is used as a colorant in this recipe and gives the gummies their green color. SCC is made from natural chlorophyll, which is what gives plants their green color.
Paprika is a dried, red pepper that is commonly used to add color and flavor to food. In this case, paprika is used to give the gummies their red color. The color of paprika is due to the carotenoids it contains, including lycopene and capsanthin. These compounds are also responsible for the health benefits associated with paprika, such as reducing inflammation and boosting immunity.
Anthocyanins are used as a colorant in this recipe and give the gummies their blue color. They are often derived from sources such as blackberries, blueberries, and grapes. Anthocyanins are believed to have a range of health benefits, including antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects.
Carnauba wax is used as a coating for gummy candies. It helps to prevent the candies from sticking together and gives them a shiny appearance. Carnauba wax is derived from the leaves of the carnauba palm tree, which is native to Brazil. Because it is plant-based, it is commonly used as a substitute for beeswax in vegan formulas.
Carnauba wax has a number of properties that make it ideal for this purpose. It is insoluble in water, so it can help to create a barrier between the gummy and moisture in the air. Additionally, it has a high melting point, which helps to keep the gummy from melting in warm weather. Finally, carnauba wax gives the gummy a shiny appearance.
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2.2. Huer Gummy Bears (Not Vegan)
Ingredients: Sugar (Glucose Syrup, Sugar), Water, Gelatin, Citric Acid, Artificial and Natural Flavors, Palm Oil (RSPO), Allura Red, Brilliant Blue FCF, Tartrazine, Sunset Yellow FCF.
The traditional Gummy Bears from Huer are not vegan and are made with gelatin instead of pectin.
Gelatin is a protein made from pork or beef skin and bones, which are collagen-rich connective tissues. It forms a gel when combined with water, making it a binding agent for gummies, as it helps to hold the various flavors and ingredients together.
Another major difference you will notice is the coloring agents used. In the vegan formula, all coloring agents are natural, while in non-vegan formulas, synthetic coloring agents are used.
Allura Red, Brilliant Blue FCF, Tartrazine, and Sunset Yellow FCF are all synthetic food colorings that are commonly used in processed foods. They are usually by-products of the petroleum industry or made from coal tar. These food colorings are all FDA-approved for use in food. However, some studies have linked them to health problems such as cancer. As a result, many parents are concerned about feeding their children foods that contain these synthetic food colorings.
3. The Bottom Line
The Huer vegan gummy bears are a great option for those looking for a plant-based alternative to the traditional gummy bear. They are easy to identify thanks to the clear labeling on the packaging, and they are made with all-natural ingredients. If you are concerned about the potential health risks associated with synthetic food colorings, then the Huer vegan gummy bears are a great option for you.