Now & Laters are a classic candy that most of us grew up eating. But are they vegan? Surprisingly, the answer is no – and most people don’t know this! In this blog post, we will discuss the ingredients in Now & Laters and why they are not vegan. We will also provide some tips on how to find vegan-friendly alternatives to this classic candy.
Now and Laters are a type of candy that is made by the Hershey Company. They are small, disc-shaped candies that are made with a hard candy shell and a soft, chewy center. They come in many different flavors, including strawberry, grape, orange, and lime.
Now and Laters are a popular candy among kids and adults alike. They are a great snack to have on hand when you need something sweet and portable. They are also great to share with friends at parties or other gatherings. When you want a little something sweet, but not too much, Now and Laters are the perfect choice!
Now and Laters were first introduced in the 1940s by Frank Hennigar Jr., who owned a candy store in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania called “The Old Sweet Shop.” He is credited with inventing the candy, and it was an instant hit with customers.
Now and Laters are still made today using the same recipe that Hennigar created over 75 years ago. If you want to try these classic candies, they can be found at most convenience stores and grocery stores.
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What Types of Now & Laters are Vegan?
Now & Later candies are vegan (except for the milk chocolate). However, there are some other varieties that aren’t quite as good.
The original Now and Later candies do not contain gelatin or any animal-based ingredients besides milk in their flavors. If you see a different ingredient list on the package, avoid that variety.
Now & Later has come out with a vegan version! The new formula uses fruit juice to make the chewy candy taste fruity and sweet. While it’s great that we have more vegan options, I wanted to find out which older flavors were already accidentally vegan.
As you can see above, Now & Later candies are made with: corn syrup, sugar, citric acid, malic acid (natural sour flavor), modified corn starch, & flavor.
There’s no mention of gelatin or other animal-based ingredients in any of the flavors (except for the milk chocolate).
So yes! The original Now and Later candies are vegan. They do not contain any animal products (besides milk chocolate varieties). If you see a different ingredient list on the package, avoid that variety.
Read More: What Brands of Maple Syrup Are Vegan?
Hold on now, not all Now and Laters are Vegan!
Just like many other candy brands, Now and Later’s main products are not vegan. However, there is one flavor of Now and Laters is completely safe for vegans!
The Original fruit flavors of the candy contain gelatin in its ingredients list which comes from animal collagen. Gelatin can also found in JELL-O desserts, marshmallows, some yogurts, and other snacks.
The vegan-friendly flavor of Now and Laters are:
- Classic Berry Smash
- Classic Tropical Rush
- Classic Original Mix
What are the Best Vegan Alternatives for the non-vegan varieties?
Some good vegan-friendly alternatives to Now and Laters are:
- Fruit by the Foot (gummy snacks)
- Jolly Ranchers (hard candy)
- Starburst (fruit chews)
- Airheads Extreme sweet
- Sour strips,
Frequently Asked Question:
Which now and laters are vegan?
The vegan-friendly flavor of Now and Laters are:
- Classic Berry Smash
- Classic Tropical Rush
- Classic Original Mix
Are Now and Laters bad for you?
Now and Later are not good for you; they contain a lot of sugar. They are also full of artificial ingredients, fillers, and preservatives. An excessive amount of consumption will lead to tooth decay and weight gain.
Must Read: What Is Cellulose Gel And Is It Vegan?
Conclusion:
So, are Now & Laters vegan? The answer is complicated. While the ingredients list does not contain any animal products, there is some speculation that the gelatin used in production may be derived from pork or beef.
However, this has not been confirmed and the company has not released a statement clarifying their stance on gelatin use. Until we have a definitive answer, it’s best to consider Now & Laters as vegetarian-friendly but not strictly vegan.
If you have any comments or suggestions about this topic, please comment down below – we would love to hear your thoughts!
