Status of Airheads Xtremes bites?

[wildr0se2]

Hey guys, my mom bought a bag of Airheads Xtremes bites the other day and gave them to me to snack on while I was at work. I skimmed the ingredients, and aside from the artificial dyes and (of course) the ambiguity of the sugar, I thought they were vegan. I googled and the majority of websites claimed they weren't, listening carmine and possibly gelatin. Even on websites like Target, this was the case. I tried seeing if I could contact the manufacturer but it was so confusing to navigate and apparently you have the contact your local manufacturer because they don't have a global one I guess? It's just baffling me. I skimmed the bag numerous times and did not see carmine nor gelatin listed, only Red 40 which apparently is not the same as carmine (?). I ate some of them anyway before I gave up researching, and then I felt guilty because I felt like I wasn't doing a better job at questioning the product. Would anyone have any insight?

 

[Lou]

Would anyone have any insight?

you shouldn't feel guilty.
First off you didn't buy the Airheads, you received it as a gift. How would it help any animals if you didn't eat them?

secondly, as far as sugar goes it is almost impossible to determine where a company gets it sugar. Heck, most compainie don't know either. but most sugar is cane sugar so chances are they are vegan.

Airheads extreme don't contain carmine nor gelatin but some other Airheads do so you were right to be cautious. Again don't feel guilty - you did your due diligence.

One last thing. a couple of years ago I would have pointed you to some of the sites and apps that make lists and recommendations but now I've gotten lazy and just rely on Google AI to do my research

According to Google AI

Yes, original Airheads bars and Airheads Xtremes are generally considered vegan-friendly, as they don't contain any animal by-products. However, several other variations are not vegan because they contain gelatin or insect-derived ingredients (like shellac and beeswax). [1, 2, 3]​

Before you grab a handful, double-check the exact product:​

• Safe for Vegans: Original Airheads Bars and Airheads Xtremes (sour belts).
• Not Vegan: Airheads Soft Filled Bites (contain gelatin), and Airheads Gummies and Xtremes Sourfuls (contain gelatin or beeswax). Airheads Bites also contain shellac, a resin made from lac bugs. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]

 

[silva]

secondly, as far as sugar goes it is almost impossible to determine where a company gets it sugar. Heck, most compainie don't know either. but most sugar is cane sugar so chances are they are vegan.

Cane sugar is what is often put through bone char (in US), unless it's labeled organic, and from what I know, about a 50% chance
It's beet sugar that isn't filtered.

I do not monitor sugar other that the sugar I buy. Those Airheads are vegan, as well as the bars-I do like the banana ones
Sour Patch is also vegan, and I got a bag of the fruit ones that aren't sour. Those are in my freezer and really good

Carmine & Cochineal watch for for red dyes, and confectioner glaze- is also from lac beetles on things that have a shiny coating

 

[silva]

Obsessing can become detrimental for some people--it did for me years back and I had to back off.
Here is a list of non vegan ingredients, but keep in mind, being vegan is NOT about perfection! Being too strict can lead you astray

Thread 'Non-Vegan Ingredient List'

Jan 6, 2013

Below is a list of non-vegan ingredients. It does not list every non-vegan ingredient in existence, so if you are unsure of a particular ingredient and it is not in this list, you should research it or contact the manufacturer of the item in question.

Adrenaline - Hormone from adrenal glands of hogs, cattle, and sheep. In medicine. Alternatives: synthetics.
Alanine - (See Amino Acids.)
Albumen - In eggs, milk, muscles, blood, and many vegetable tissues and fluids. In cosmetics, albumen is usually derived from egg whites and used as a coagulating agent. May cause...

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