Smarties have long been one of Britain’s favourite sweets. Those familiar tubes filled with bright sugar-coated chocolates are often found at birthday parties, on cupcakes or as a simple treat tucked into lunchboxes. But as more people shift towards plant-based diets, a growing number of sweet lovers are asking the same question. Are Smarties vegan?

What Are Smarties Made Of

Smarties are smooth milk chocolate pieces coated in a crisp, colourful sugar shell. The chocolate centre includes sugar, cocoa butter, cocoa mass, skimmed milk powder and whey powder, along with natural flavourings and soy lecithin as an emulsifier. The shell contains natural colourings derived from fruit and vegetables such as beetroot and spirulina. This move towards natural colours was welcomed by many parents and health-conscious consumers when Nestlé removed artificial dyes and flavourings.

However, the presence of both milk powder and whey, which are derived from cow’s milk, means that traditional Smarties are not suitable for vegans. These ingredients are standard in most milk chocolate products and cannot be considered plant-based. As such, anyone following a strict vegan lifestyle would avoid the classic variety.

Have There Been Any Vegan Versions

Over recent years, Nestlé has made a number of changes to its product lines to appeal to a wider range of diets, including vegetarian, gluten free and lactose intolerant consumers. But when it comes to vegan-friendly options, Smarties have remained largely the same. Despite removing certain animal-based colourings and artificial additives, Nestlé has not reformulated Smarties to be dairy free.

That said, Nestlé has introduced vegan versions of other chocolate products such as dairy free chocolate bars made with plant-based milk alternatives. This has led some consumers to wonder whether a vegan Smarties version might be developed in the future. For now, however, there is no official vegan version of Smarties available in UK supermarkets.

Are There Any Lookalike Vegan Alternatives

The good news is that there are several vegan chocolate alternatives available that offer a similar experience to Smarties. These plant-based sweets often use rice milk or oat milk in place of dairy and feature natural colourings and cocoa. They may not be identical in taste or texture but can certainly satisfy a craving for chocolate buttons with a crunchy shell. These are typically found in health food shops, vegan supermarkets or specialist online retailers and are often clearly labelled as dairy free or vegan friendly.

What About Vegetarian Status

While Smarties are not vegan, they are suitable for vegetarians. There are no ingredients derived from animal meat, gelatine or rennet in the standard UK recipe. This makes them a safe choice for those who avoid meat but still consume dairy. The move away from insect-based dyes like carmine (E120) was particularly important in achieving vegetarian status and reflects a wider trend in confectionery to cater for more inclusive diets.

Final Thoughts

So, are Smarties vegan? The answer is no. Despite containing no gelatine or artificial animal-based colourings, the inclusion of milk powder and whey means that standard Smarties are not suitable for a vegan diet. They are, however, vegetarian and gluten free. For those seeking a fully plant-based alternative, there are vegan-friendly sweets that mimic the chocolate button experience without using dairy. While we wait and hope for a vegan Smarties version in the future, there are plenty of colourful and delicious options to explore in the growing world of vegan confectionery.

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