Want to buy gummy sweets, but finding it hard to tell fruit gummies, sour gummies and sweet mixes apart? Many soft sweets look similar online. Yet they can differ considerably in ingredients, packaging, pack size and suitability for children or vegan consumers.
Three common pitfalls to watch out for:
Many gummy sweets contain beef or pork gelatine. This matters to vegetarians, vegans and consumers who avoid certain animal-derived ingredients. Do not just look at the front of the pack: check the ingredients list and allergen declaration too.
Vegan gummies often use pectin, starch or other gelling agents. Fruitella Vegan Dummies, for example, states that it uses a vegan recipe and contains fruit juice, natural flavourings and natural colourings according to the product description. When buying online, always check the current packaging, as recipes may change.
Also look out for potential allergens. Some products state that they may contain milk, wheat, cereals containing gluten or sulphites. Nerds Gummy Clusters, for example, lists apple and pork gelatine among its ingredients. This makes the product less suitable for people who avoid these ingredients.
Gummy sweets generally contain a lot of carbohydrates and sugar. Nutritional values are usually given per 100 grams, while an individual serving is much smaller. So work out the figures for the amount you actually intend to eat.
Examples from the product information:
“Sugar-free” does not mean you can eat unlimited amounts. Products containing sweeteners may, for example, contain maltitol. For supplements, always follow the recommended daily dosage.
A 45 to 65 gram bag is ideal for a small snack or treat. Individually wrapped sweets are practical for a birthday, school treat or sharing with others. A larger sweet mix makes more sense when several people want to share.
For a party, you could choose:
Peelable gummies are primarily designed to add an element of fun. With Amos Peelerz, you peel away a soft outer layer before eating the fruity centre. This makes them appealing for party treats and curious sweet lovers, but the 65 gram bags are less suitable as a supply for a large group.
Why it suits this profile: A small pack with several fruit flavours is ideal if you want to try different gummy sweets before buying a larger supply.
The pack size is clearly stated as 60 grams, and the product information mentions 10% concentrated fruit juice. Check the price per 100 grams before ordering.
Three layers, several fruit flavours and compact packaging.
Why it suits this profile: Suitable for consumers specifically looking for vegan gummies in several fruit flavours, with individually wrapped sweets.
The product description explicitly mentions vegan ingredients, fruit juice and natural colourings. Check the allergen declaration on the packaging.
Four fruit flavours, 12 boxes per pack and individually wrapped.
Why it suits this profile: A large sweet mix is ideal for parties, treats, shops and households where several flavours are wanted at once.
The packaging states that it contains 40 servings of 25 grams. This makes it easier to divide the supply than loose, unportioned bags.
A mix including eggs, cola bottles, goldbears, rings and hearts.
Why it suits this profile: This is not a sweet mix, but a food supplement for children aged 3 and over. It is designed for parents who find the gummy format practical.
The recommended dosage is one gummy per day, under adult supervision. Do not exceed this dosage and keep the product out of reach of young children.
According to the product information, contains vitamin D3, vitamin C, B vitamins and zinc, among other nutrients; gluten- and lactose-free.
We have put together a complete, up-to-date list of products that fully meet these strict selection criteria and the applicable European safety regulations.
If you are looking for an unusual texture, take a look at Nerds Gummy Clusters. They combine a soft centre with a crunchy coating. They are available in 45 gram and 113 gram bags, as well as multipacks of 10 × 113 grams. For sour gummies, options include cherry and raspberry flavours.
Peelable gummies are available in mango, lychee and grape flavours. Cokoc also offers peelable sweets in football shapes and mixed fruit flavours. When serving them to children, pay attention to warnings about colourings. According to the product information for some Cokoc products, E102, E110 or E129 may affect activity and attention in children. Always read the label before serving these products.
Functional varieties, such as multivitamin gummies, vitamin C gummies and sleep gummies, should be assessed differently from ordinary sweets. Check the intended audience, dosage, ingredients and warnings. According to the product information, Lucovitaal Vitamin C Gummies contain 80 mg of vitamin C per gummy and are intended for adults. This is manufacturer information and is not a guarantee of an individual effect. If you take medication, have a medical condition or are unsure about giving them to children, it is sensible to consult a doctor.
For a party, individually wrapped sweets, small bags or a large sweet mix are practical choices. For example, choose a mix with different shapes and flavours, but check the label for gelatine, allergens and warnings beforehand.
The best-before date is shown on the packaging. Store gummies in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. Seal an opened bag or tub properly to help prevent them from drying out and losing quality. Do not use a product if the packaging is damaged.
No. Vegan gummies do not contain animal gelatine, but they may still contain a lot of sugar. Compare both the ingredients and the nutritional values per 100 grams. Vegan suitability and nutritional value are two different things.