Growing up, my favorite candy was Jolly Ranchers [1]. My early memories are full of delicious tiny colored treats [2] that I traded with my friends during recess, especially the day after Halloween [3]. I guess old habits die hard, because those little guys are still top-tier for my sweet tooth, but I recently started wondering more about what's in them. Are my beloved Jolly Ranchers actually vegan? Unfortunately, Jolly Ranchers are not vegan, as stated on their FAQ page [4].
The reason is more confusing than informational. The [6]Hershey's website [7] doesn't explain the exact reason Jolly Ranchers are not vegan, but there are several suggestions provided online. It may stem from the cane sugar, colors, and artificial flavors [8] used in Jolly Ranchers. These items are somewhat disputed as being vegan because of the processes used to create them, which tend to include animals (think: animal testing and animal byproducts).