Are Mambas Vegan?

Are Mambas Vegan
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Looking to chew on some Mambas but don’t know whether they’re vegan? Unfortunately, the Mambas are not suitable for vegans. They contain gelatin, a protein obtained from boiling the skin, tendons, ligaments, and/or bones of cows and pigs.

In this article, I’ll do a deep dive and tell you everything you need to know about the Mambas.

What Are Mambas?

Mamba is a brand of fruit chews produced by August Storck KG, available in several flavors, including strawberry, orange, lemon, raspberry, and cherry. They are sold in packages of 6, 18, or 24 soft chews, and the flavors within each package are selected at random. Mamba has also released new recipes featuring specific flavor mixes.

Why Are Mambas Not Vegan?

The ingredients within Mamba fruit chews typically include:

  • Sugar
  • Glucose Syrup (From Wheat or Corn)
  • Palm Oil
  • Sorbitol (From Wheat or Corn)
  • Gelatin
  • Citric Acid
  • Natural and Artificial Flavors
  • Black Carrot Juice Concentrate (Color)
  • Turmeric Oleoresin (Color)

Unfortunately, they contain gelatin, derived from collagen, a protein obtained from boiling the skin, tendons, ligaments, and/or bones of cows and pigs. After scrutinizing the different varieties/recipes available on their official website, it’s clear that none of them are suitable for vegans due to the inclusion of gelatin.

Additionally, Mamba fruit chews also contain controversial ingredients like refined sugar and palm oil.

Controversial Ingredients

Even though some ingredients in Mamba fruit chews come from plant sources, they can still be considered controversial due to their involvement in animal cruelty.

Sugar

Sugar generally comes from two sources: sugarcane and beets. Beet sugar is vegan-friendly as it does not involve animal ingredients. However, cane sugar is processed using bone char, an animal derivative, which is used to achieve the white color of refined sugar. Some vegans avoid products containing cane sugar unless the company specifies cruelty-free sourcing methods. Fortunately, some companies are adopting cruelty-free options such as ion-exchange resins and activated charcoal to decolorize sugar.

Palm Oil

Palm oil is derived from plants, but its production is often associated with deforestation and harm to animals in affected environments. The destruction of rainforests leads to a loss of biodiversity and can threaten species like Sumatran orangutans, tigers, elephants, and rhinoceros. While some organizations advocate for sustainable RSPO palm oil, others argue that it doesn’t address the core issues of exploitation. For these reasons, palm oil is considered a controversial ingredient among vegans.

Vegan Alternatives to Mambas

Although Mambas are not vegan, there are alternatives available that do not contain gelatin and use ingredients like pectin—a popular vegan substitute. Here are a few alternatives on the market:

YumEarth Organic Fruit Chews

Ingredients: Organic Rice Syrup, Organic Cane Sugar, Organic Palm Oil, Organic Natural Flavors, Citric Acid, Organic Sunflower Lecithin, Colors From Organic Concentrates (Carrot, Blackcurrant), Organic Turmeric (Color), and Pectin.

YumEarth is a popular brand known for offering vegan alternatives to fruit chews, lollipops, and gummy bears. Keep in mind that they use organic ingredients, which can make them a bit pricier.

Torie & Howard Sour Fruit Chews

Ingredients: Organic Brown Rice Syrup, Organic Cane Syrup, Organic Palm Shortening, Citric Acid, Natural Flavors, Organic Rice Extract, Ascorbic Acid. Colored with: Beetroot Juice and Grape Color Extract.

Torie & Howard is another brand that uses organic ingredients for their fruit chews. They are more budget-friendly compared to YumEarth and come in various individual fruit flavors, including sour berry and sour cherry.

Are Mambas Gluten-Free?

Unfortunately, Mambas are not gluten-free. They contain ingredients derived from wheat, including glucose syrup and sorbitol. Additionally, they are manufactured in a facility that also handles ingredients containing gluten.

Let’s Recap: Mambas Are Not Vegan

In conclusion, if you’re a vegan, Mambas are not a suitable choice due to their gelatin content, as well as the presence of other controversial ingredients like refined sugar and palm oil. However, there are plenty of vegan alternatives available on the market, such as YumEarth and Torie & Howard, which offer delicious fruit chews that align with a vegan lifestyle. So, while you might have to skip the Mambas, there are plenty of cruelty-free options to satisfy your sweet tooth.

For more information on vegan alternatives and plant-based products, visit PlantBasedPTY.

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