Image from Tootsie Roll on Instagram
According to Wikipedia, a Tootsie Roll is a mildly chocolate-flavored taffy-like candy that has been manufactured in the United States since 1907. The candy has qualities similar to both caramels and taffy without being exactly either confection, and does not melt. The manufacturer, Tootsie Roll Industries is based in Chicago, Illinois. It was the first penny candy to be individually wrapped in America. Over the years there has been some discussion and confusion as to if Tootsie Roll products are vegan-friendly, so in this article we look into the question, “Are Tootsie Rolls or Tootsie Pops Vegan?”
A full vegan-friendly analysis of Tootsie Rolls and Tootsie Pops can be found in the following sections.
Controversial Vegan Ingredients
Before we start our vegan analysis, we would like to make note of the controversial ingredients found in some Tootsie products that are assumed to be vegan in this analysis. Even though we consider them to be vegan, we will still highlight these ingredients if they appear in any posted ingredient lists. These controversial ingredients include:
Sugar
In almost all candy products, one of the first few ingredients is Sugar. Sugar is a controversial product in the vegan community because refined cane sugar is processed with bone char to achieve the pure white color. The sugar itself does not contain any bone char particles, but is not vegan due to the processing methods used. Since the type of sugar is typically not stated, it is assumed to be vegan in this analysis. If you choose to avoid non-vegan sugars than all of the products in this analysis should be avoided. A full rundown on if sugar is vegan can be found in our article titled “Is Your Sugar Vegan? Lets Find Out!“
Palm Oil and Palm Fat
Palm oil is a controversial vegan ingredient not because it is animal-derived, but because the cultivation of palm oil has devastating environmental impacts and harms many animals. You can learn more about palm oil in our article titled “Is Palm Oil Vegan?“
Natural and Artificial Flavorings
Natural flavors can come from both animal or plant sources, but the natural flavors in candies are typically from plant sources. Those natural flavors from animal-origin will be highlighted if known.
Colors
Some food colors are controversial in the vegan community. This is because food colors are often tested on animals. In this article we assume all food colors are vegan, unless the color itself is from an animal or insect origin (e.g. Carmine).
Tootsie Rolls
Sugar, Corn Syrup, Palm Oil, Condensed Skim Milk, Cocoa, Whey, Soy Lecithin, Artificial and Natural Flavors.
Contains Milk, Contains Soy.
Are Tootsie Rolls Vegan?
Based on the ingredients provided on the Tootsie Roll website, the “Original Classic Tootsie Roll” contains multiple milk-based ingredients. These include both Condensed Skim Milk and Whey. As both of these products are animal-derived, Tootsie Rolls are NOT vegan.
Tootsie Fruit Chews
Sugar, Corn Syrup, Palm Oil, Condensed Skim Milk, Whey, Malic Acid, Artificial and Natural Flavors, Soy Lecithin, Artificial Colors (Including FD&C Yellow 5, Red 40, Blue 1).
Contains Milk, Contains Soy.
Are Tootsie Fruit Chews Vegan?
As with the Original Tootsie Rolls, the Tootsie Fruit Chews also contain Condensed Skim Milk and Whey. Therefore, Tootsie Fruit Chews are NOT vegan. The Tootsie Fruit Chew Pops are also NOT vegan.
Tootsie Pops
Sugar, Corn Syrup, Palm Oil, Citric Acid (May Contain Malic Acid), Condensed Skim Milk, Cocoa, Whey, Artificial And Natural Flavors, Soy Lecithin, Artificial Colors (Including FD&C Red 40, Yellow 5, Blue 1), Strawberry Powder.
Contains Milk, Contains Soy.
Are Tootsie Pops Vegan?
Unfortunately, Tootsie Pops also contain Condensed Skim Milk and Whey in the ingredients. This is expected because the same Tootsie Roll is in Tootsie Pops. Therefore, Tootsie Pops are NOT vegan. Tootsie Pops Minis, Tootsie Pop Drops, and Tootsie Bunch Pops are also NOT vegan.
Additional Tootsie Roll FAQs
Q: Are Tootsie Rolls Vegetarian?
The only animal-derived ingredients in Tootsie Rolls are milk-based which are vegetarian. Therefore, Tootsie Rolls ARE vegetarian.
Q: Are Tootsie Pops Vegetarian?
The only animal-derived ingredients in Tootsie Pops are milk-based which are vegetarian. Therefore, Tootsie Pops ARE vegetarian.
Q: Are Tootsie Rolls Dairy Free?
All Tootsie products (including Tootsie Rolls, Fruit Chews, and Pops) contain Condensed Skim Milk and Whey. Therefore, Tootsie Rolls are NOT dairy free.
Q: Are Tootsie Pops Dairy Free?
All Tootsie products (including Tootsie Rolls, Fruit Chews, and Pops) contain Condensed Skim Milk and Whey. Therefore, Tootsie Pops are NOT dairy free.
Q: Are Tootsie Rolls Gluten Free?
On the Tootsie Roll website they state, “At this time, all of our confections are gluten free. We do not use wheat, barley, rye, oats, triticale, spelt or any of their components and that includes our dusting on our conveyor belts. We do use corn and soy products in the manufacturing of our products.” Additionally, on the Tootsie Roll product page it lists they are Gluten Free. Therefore, Tootsie Rolls are Gluten Free!
Q: Are Tootsie Pops Gluten Free?
On the Tootsie Roll website they state, “At this time, all of our confections are gluten free. We do not use wheat, barley, rye, oats, triticale, spelt or any of their components and that includes our dusting on our conveyor belts. We do use corn and soy products in the manufacturing of our products.” Additionally, on the Tootsie Pop product page it lists they are Gluten Free. Therefore, Tootsie Pops are Gluten Free!
Q: Are Tootsie Rolls Kosher?
According to the Tootsie Roll product page, Tootsie Rolls are Kosher.
Q: Are Tootsie Pops Kosher?
According to the Tootsie Pops product page, Tootsie Pops are Kosher.
Q: Are Tootsie Rolls Halal?
As listed on the Tootsie Roll product page, the only animal-derived ingredient in Tootsie Rolls are Condensed Skim Milk and Whey. Therefore, Tootsie Rolls are Halal.
Q: Are Tootsie Pops Halal?
As listed on the Tootsie Pops product page, the only animal-derived ingredient in Tootsie Pops are Condensed Skim Milk and Whey. Therefore, Tootsie Pops are Halal.
Summary
Based on the ingredients provided by the Tootsie Roll website, none of the Tootsie Roll, Fruit Chew or Tootsie Pops products are vegan-friendly. However, they are all vegetarian friendly.
You can read about other vegan snack options here.
