Is BUBS Candy Vegan? Gelatin, Gluten, Halal and Dyes Answered
Last updated: October 14, 2026
Yes. BUBS, the Swedish candy maker, states that 100% of its range is vegan and that its candy is free from gelatin and other animal-derived ingredients. The ingredient lists for the seven BUBS candies in the Steyda BUBS Swedish Candy Mix match that: none of them lists gelatin, carmine, beeswax or milk. BUBS also describes its candy as gluten-free. Two things to know before you buy: we have not seen a halal or kosher certificate for BUBS, and one of the seven candies uses a synthetic blue color. The details follow, candy by candy.
Why is BUBS vegan when so many gummies are not?
BUBS candy is made without gelatin, which many other gummies use. You can see the difference in our own range: Squashies, the British candy in our Squashies mix, list beef gelatin, and none of the BUBS candies list gelatin at all.
BUBS says it removed gelatin from its products over the years. It also replaced carmine (E120), a red color made from insects, with a plant-based color several years ago.
The five foam candies in our BUBS mix get their soft texture from corn starch and potato protein instead of gelatin. The Banana Toffee and Wild Berry Pomegranate ovals also list coconut oil and carnauba wax, a glazing agent.
BUBS's FAQ still says that most, not all, of its jelly candy is vegan and suggests checking the ingredients. We did that for the two jelly skulls in our mix, the Lemon Raspberry Skull and the Cool Cola Skull. Neither lists any animal ingredient.
What is in each of the seven BUBS candies?
This table comes from the Swedish ingredient lists for the BUBS candies we pack.
| Candy | Gelatin | Wheat | Carmine | Colors listed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Banana Toffee Ovals | None | None | None | E150d (caramel), E100 (curcumin) |
| Wild Berry Pomegranate Ovals | None | None | None | Black carrot concentrate |
| Fruity Pear Ovals | None | None | None | E141 (copper chlorophyll) |
| Bubblegum Skull (Dizzy Skalle) | None | None | None | Black carrot concentrate, E133 (Blue 1) |
| Tutti Frutti Diamond | None | None | None | E100 (curcumin), E141 (copper chlorophyll) |
| Lemon Raspberry Skull | None | None | None | Black carrot concentrate, E100 (curcumin) |
| Cool Cola Skull | None | None | None | E150a (plain caramel) |
For flavor and texture notes on each candy, see What Is BUBS Candy?
Is BUBS candy gluten-free?
BUBS describes its candy as gluten-free. None of the seven ingredient lists in our mix includes wheat.
Is BUBS halal or kosher?
We have not seen a halal or kosher certificate for BUBS, so we do not make either claim. The ingredient lists contain no gelatin or other animal ingredients, but certification covers more than the ingredient list. If you only eat certified halal or kosher food, treat BUBS as uncertified.
Does BUBS contain Red 40 or artificial dyes?
None of the seven BUBS candies in our mix lists Red 40 (E129). The Bubblegum Skull does list E133, Brilliant Blue FCF, which is sold in the US as Blue 1. Blue 1 is a synthetic dye, so we do not call the BUBS mix dye-free.
The colors in the other six candies are black carrot concentrate, curcumin (E100), copper chlorophyll (E141) and caramel (E150a, E150d). BUBS also states that its candy contains no palm oil.
Are Steyda's other candy mixes vegan?
No. The Pink Candy mix and the Squashies & Swedish Candy Mix each contain candies with gelatin, wheat and carmine. Squashies list beef gelatin, and in the Strawberry & Cream flavor, titanium dioxide (E171). The Squashies mix also includes Malaco pastel fish, which list beeswax. For the other gelatin candies in those mixes, the ingredient lists do not say what the gelatin is made from.
If you are vegan or avoid gelatin, the BUBS Swedish Candy Mix is the Steyda mix to choose.
Where can you buy vegan BUBS candy?
The Steyda BUBS Swedish Candy Mix contains only the seven BUBS candies above. It comes in three sizes: 0.5 lb (227 g), 1.2 lb (544 g) and 2 lb (908 g). Steyda is a Swedish candy seller, not the maker of BUBS.
Single-flavor 5.5 oz BUBS bags are also sold in some US grocery stores. Those bags have their own US ingredient lists, which differ from the Swedish lists in this article, so check the label on the bag you buy as they do not follow the European ingredients standard.
Questions people ask about BUBS and diets
Does BUBS candy contain gelatin?
No. BUBS states that all its products are free from gelatin and other animal-derived ingredients, and none of the seven candies in our mix lists gelatin.
Is BUBS candy dairy-free?
BUBS states that its whole range is vegan, which rules out milk. None of the seven ingredient lists in our mix includes milk.
Does BUBS have Red 40?
Not in the seven candies in our mix. None of them lists E129, the European code for Red 40.
Is the BUBS Swedish Candy Mix gluten-free?
BUBS describes its candy as gluten-free, and none of the seven candies lists wheat.
Are Squashies vegan?
No. Both Squashies flavors in our mixes, Bubble Gum and Strawberry & Cream, list gelatin.