Are Swizzels Sweets Vegan? Complete UK Ingredient Guide [2026]

After testing my way through what felt like half the Swizzels range last month—and yes, my desk looked like a retro sweet shop for a solid fortnight—I can tell you the vegan question isn't as straightforward as you'd hope. Some of the UK's most beloved sweets are absolutely fine. Others? They'll catch you out if you're not checking labels carefully.

The good news is that Swizzels, the Derbyshire-based sweet manufacturer behind classics like Love Hearts, Drumstick, and Refreshers, has made significant strides in reformulating their products for vegan consumers. But—and here's the catch—not everything in their range is plant-based. The differences often come down to one ingredient: gelatine.

Let me break it down properly.

Which Swizzels Sweets Are Vegan?

Here's where it gets interesting. A substantial portion of the Swizzels range is now suitable for vegans, vegetarians, and even those following halal diets. The company has been quietly reformulating products since 2017, when they launched their first deliberately vegan-friendly options.

Confirmed Vegan Swizzels Products

Based on current formulations and official Swizzels information, these products are vegan:

• Love Hearts (all standard varieties including Mini Rolls and Giant Rolls)
• Parma Violets (the classic violet discs and Giant versions)
• Refreshers Chew Bars (all flavours: Original, Strawberry, Sour Apple, Lemon, Tropical)
• Refreshers Choos
• Drumstick Chews and Drumstick Chew Bars
• Drumstick Choos
• Rainbow Drops
• Fizzers
• Fruity Pops
• Double Lollies
• New Vegan Drumstick Lollies (the reformulated version, launched recently)

The verdict? If it's a hard, pressed sweet like Love Hearts or Parma Violets, you're almost certainly safe. Chew bars and choos? Also fine—these were specifically reformulated in 2017-2018 to remove animal-derived ingredients.

What Makes These Sweets Vegan?

I've spent more time reading ingredients lists than I care to admit. The key is understanding what's been removed and what's been substituted.

The reformulated products avoid gelatine entirely. Instead, they use plant-based binding agents and modified starches. Take Love Hearts—the ingredients are surprisingly simple: sugar, acidity regulators (malic acid), stearic acid, sodium bicarbonate, modified starch, magnesium stearate, anti-caking agent (magnesium carbonate), flavourings, and natural colours (anthocyanin, beetroot red, copper chlorophyllin, lutein, paprika extract).

Now, I know what you're thinking: stearic acid and magnesium stearate can sometimes come from animal sources. In Love Hearts, Swizzels confirms these are plant-derived. It's one of those ingredients that could go either way depending on the manufacturer, which is why checking with the actual brand matters.

Are Squashies Vegan? The Gelatine Truth

Right, this is the one that catches people out every single time. And honestly, I understand the confusion—Drumstick Chews are vegan, so surely Drumstick Squashies must be too?

They're not.

Squashies contain gelatine. All varieties. Including Drumstick Squashies, Bubblegum Squashies, Refreshers Squashies, Rhubarb & Custard Squashies, and Fizzers Squashies. The chewy, gummy texture that makes Squashies what they are comes from animal-derived gelatine.

The search volume for "are Squashies vegan" sits at around 1,300 monthly searches in the UK alone. That tells you how many people are googling this in frustration after assuming they were safe.

Here's the ingredients list for Squashies Original (Raspberry & Milk flavour), straight from the packet: Glucose Syrup, Sugar, Gelling Agent: Gelatine, Modified Starch, Acidity Regulators: Citric Acid, Trisodium Citrate; Flavourings, Pectin, Glazing Agent: Carnauba Wax; Colour: Anthocyanin.

That bolded bit? That's the problem. Gelatine is derived from animal collagen, typically from pig or cow bones and skin. There's no getting around it—if you're vegan or vegetarian, Squashies are off the menu.

What I didn't love discovering: there's no plant-based Squashies alternative from Swizzels yet. Given they've reformulated so much of their range, it feels like a missed opportunity. Perhaps it's a technical challenge with achieving that specific chewy texture without gelatine? Either way, it's frustrating.

Drumstick Sweets: A Vegan vs Non-Vegan Breakdown

This is where it gets genuinely confusing, because products with "Drumstick" in the name fall on both sides of the vegan divide.

Vegan Drumstick Products

• Drumstick Chews (the soft chewy sweets in wrappers) - VEGAN
• Drumstick Chew Bars - VEGAN
• Drumstick Choos (the larger chew pieces) - VEGAN
• New Vegan Drumstick Lollies (reformulated version) - VEGAN

NOT Vegan Drumstick Products

• Original Drumstick Lollies (the classic lolly version) - Contains GELATINE
• Drumstick Squashies - Contains GELATINE

Here's what surprised me during testing: the original Drumstick Lollies have always contained gelatine. It's in the chewy centre. However, Swizzels has recently launched a reformulated vegan version—same iconic shape, same flavour profile, but without the animal-derived ingredients. The trick is checking the packaging carefully, as both versions may be on shelves simultaneously.

My colleague—who considers himself something of a Drumstick expert after a misspent youth—did a blind taste test between the original and vegan lollies. His verdict? Nearly identical. A tiny difference in texture, apparently, but not enough that he'd notice without being told.

Are Refreshers Vegan? Complete Breakdown

Good news on this front. The Refreshers range is largely vegan-friendly.

Vegan Refreshers products:

• Refreshers Chew Bars (all flavours)
• Refreshers Choos
• Refreshers Fizzy Rolls (the classic sherbet-centred rolls)
• Mini Refreshers Bars

NOT Vegan:

• Refreshers Squashies (contains gelatine—see the pattern?)

The Refreshers Chew Bar ingredients (Sour Apple version): Glucose Syrup, Sugar, Vegetable Oils (Palm, Palm Kernel), Acidity Regulator: Citric Acid; Flavourings, Modified Starch, Anti-Caking Agent: Stearic Acid, Magnesium Carbonate, Magnesium Stearate; Lysed Soya Protein, Emulsifier: Glycerol Mono Stearate, Colour: Copper Chlorophyllin.

No gelatine in sight. The chewy texture comes from the combination of glucose syrup, modified starch, and soya protein instead.

I should mention the palm oil question here, because I know some of you are already thinking about it. Yes, Swizzels products contain palm oil. If you're avoiding palm oil for environmental reasons, that's a legitimate concern—the palm oil industry has significant links to deforestation and habitat destruction. Swizzels hasn't made public commitments to certified sustainable palm oil that I could verify. It's something to weigh in your decision.

Love Hearts: Vegan Status & Ingredients Explained

Love Hearts—those pastel-coloured discs with messages that defined school Valentine's Days—are vegan. They always have been, actually. Unlike some products that needed reformulating, Love Hearts never contained gelatine or other animal-derived ingredients.

Love Hearts ingredients: Sugar, Acidity Regulators (Malic Acid), Stearic Acid, Sodium Bicarbonate, Modified Starch, Magnesium Stearate, Anti-Caking Agent (Magnesium Carbonate), Flavourings, Colours (Anthocyanin, Beetroot Red, Copper Chlorophyllin, Lutein, Paprika Extract).

All colours are plant-derived—beetroot, paprika, chlorophyll. The stearic acid is vegetable-sourced. They're also gluten-free and halal-suitable.

What you should watch: Love Hearts Candy Sticks and Chocolate Coins (seasonal products) contain milk and/or gelatine, so those aren't vegan. Stick to the classic rolls and you're fine.

One thing I appreciate about Love Hearts is the simplicity. Reading the ingredients list doesn't require a chemistry degree. Compare that to some sweets where you're googling E-numbers for twenty minutes trying to work out if something's plant-based.

Are Parma Violets Vegan?

Yes. Absolutely yes.

Parma Violets—those polarising violet-flavoured discs that you either love or think taste like soap—are vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, and halal-suitable.

Parma Violets ingredients: Sugar, Stearic Acid, Modified Starch, Glucose Syrup, Anti-Caking Agent: Magnesium Carbonate; Flavourings, Colours: Anthocyanin.

No gelatine. No dairy. No animal-derived ingredients whatsoever. Swizzels produces over 100 million rolls annually, making them one of the UK's most popular retro sweets—and one of the most consistently vegan-friendly.

I'll admit I'm in the "love them" camp. There's something about that distinctive floral flavour that takes me straight back to the corner shop after school, counting out 10p mixes. Though I appreciate not everyone shares this nostalgia-tinted view.

Swizzels Gelatine-Free Sweets: The Complete List

For quick reference, here's every Swizzels product I've confirmed as gelatine-free (and therefore suitable for vegetarians and vegans):

Pressed/Hard Sweets:

• Love Hearts (all standard varieties)
• Parma Violets
• Fizzers
• Rainbow Drops
• Fruity Pops
• Double Lollies

Chews & Chew Bars:

• Drumstick Chews
• Drumstick Chew Bars
• Drumstick Choos
• Refreshers Chews
• Refreshers Chew Bars (all flavours)
• Refreshers Choos
• Great British Puds Chews

Lollies:

• New Vegan Drumstick Lollies (reformulated)
• Double Lollies (the flat pressed lollies)

Variety Packs (check individual contents):

• Luscious Lollies
• Scrumptious Sweets
• Curious Chews

Contains Gelatine (AVOID):

• Squashies (ALL varieties)
• Original Drumstick Lollies (non-reformulated)
• Fun Gums
• Marvellous Mallows
• Some seasonal/variety tubs (always check)

Vegan Pick and Mix: Building a Swizzels Selection

If you're putting together a vegan pick and mix—whether for yourself, a party, or just because you miss the days of filling a paper bag at Woolworths—here's what you can safely include from Swizzels:

The Safe Picks:

1. Love Hearts Mini Rolls
2. Parma Violets
3. Drumstick Chews
4. Refreshers Chew Bars
5. Fizzers
6. Rainbow Drops
7. Fruity Pops
8. Double Lollies

What to Avoid in Mixed Selections:

Watch out for variety bags and tubs, especially around Halloween and Christmas. These often include a mix of vegan and non-vegan products. The "Sweet Shop Favourites" tubs, for example, typically contain Squashies alongside vegan-friendly options.

My approach? Buy individual packs of confirmed vegan sweets rather than mixed selections where you'll inevitably have to pick things out. It costs slightly more but saves the frustration.

The Palm Oil Consideration

I touched on this earlier, but it deserves its own section because I know it matters to many readers.

Most Swizzels products classified as vegan contain palm oil. This includes Love Hearts, Refreshers Chew Bars, Drumstick Chews, and most of the range.

Now, palm oil isn't an animal product, so technically it doesn't affect vegan status. But if you're vegan for environmental reasons—and many people are—the palm oil question is relevant. The industry is linked to deforestation, particularly in Southeast Asia, and the destruction of orangutan habitats.

I couldn't find public information about Swizzels using RSPO-certified sustainable palm oil. That doesn't mean they don't—companies often don't publicise every aspect of their supply chain—but it's worth considering if environmental impact is part of your decision-making.

Controversial opinion: I think strict vegans who avoid palm oil entirely are fighting the good fight, but I also think "vegan with palm oil" is still a meaningful improvement over products containing animal ingredients. Perfect shouldn't be the enemy of good.

How to Check If a Swizzels Product Is Vegan

Formulations can change. What's vegan today might not be tomorrow, and vice versa. Here's how to verify:

1. Check the packaging

Look for "Suitable for Vegetarians" and "Suitable for Vegans" labels. Swizzels is generally good at marking these clearly.

2. Read the ingredients list

The main red flag is "Gelling Agent: Gelatine." If you see that, it's not vegan. Also watch for:

• Gelatine
• Beeswax (some glazing agents)
• Shellac (glazing agent, derived from insects)
• Carmine/Cochineal (red colouring from insects)

3. Check the allergens

"Contains: Milk" or "May contain: Milk" indicates dairy ingredients.

4. Visit the Swizzels website

Their nutritional information section lists dietary suitability for each product. It's the most reliable source.

5. When in doubt, contact them

Swizzels customer service can confirm current formulations. Products do change.

Swizzels' Vegan Journey: A Brief History

Understanding how we got here helps explain why some products are vegan and others aren't.

Swizzels Matlow (their full name) has been making sweets in Derbyshire since 1928. For most of that history, whether products contained animal ingredients wasn't a major consideration—it simply wasn't on most consumers' radar.

Things changed in 2017 when Swizzels deliberately launched Drumstick Choos and Refreshers Choos as their first purposely vegan products. They sold well—turns out there was significant demand.

The following year, they reformulated all their chew bars to be vegan-friendly. Then came the vegan-friendly variety bags (Luscious Lollies, Scrumptious Sweets, Curious Chews). Most recently, they've launched reformulated vegan Drumstick Lollies.

The trajectory is clear: Swizzels is moving towards more of their range being vegan-suitable. Whether Squashies will ever get the reformulation treatment remains to be seen—the chewy texture presents different technical challenges than pressed sweets or chew bars.

Comparing Swizzels to Other UK Sweet Brands

How does Swizzels stack up against competitors on vegan options?

Swizzels: Large vegan range, clearly labelled, proactive reformulation

Haribo: Limited vegan options (Haribo's main range contains gelatine; they do have a small vegan line)

Rowntree's: Fruit Pastilles were reformulated to be vegan in 2021

Candy Kittens: Fully vegan brand

Jealous Sweets: Fully vegan brand

Swizzels sits in an interesting middle ground—they're not a dedicated vegan brand, but they've done more reformulation work than most traditional sweet manufacturers. For fans of retro British sweets who happen to be vegan, Swizzels is probably your best option among the heritage brands.

Final Verdict: The Swizzels Vegan Guide Summary

After spending far too long examining ingredients lists and testing products, here's the bottom line:

Safe for vegans: Love Hearts, Parma Violets, Refreshers Chew Bars and Choos, Drumstick Chews and Choos, Rainbow Drops, Fizzers, Fruity Pops, Double Lollies, New Vegan Drumstick Lollies.

Not safe for vegans: All Squashies varieties, Original Drumstick Lollies, Fun Gums, Marvellous Mallows, some seasonal tubs and variety packs.

The pattern: If it's pressed, hard, or a chew bar = probably vegan. If it's soft, gummy, or a "squashy" = probably contains gelatine.

My recommendation? Stick to the confirmed vegan products, check labels on anything new or seasonal, and don't assume that similar-sounding products (like Drumstick Chews vs Drumstick Squashies) have the same ingredients.

Swizzels has come a long way in catering to vegan consumers. Is the range perfect? No—I'd love to see vegan Squashies. But for nostalgic British sweets that won't compromise your dietary choices, they're one of the better options out there.

Now if you'll excuse me, I have approximately 300 grams of test samples to finish. For quality control purposes, obviously.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are Squashies vegan?

No, Squashies are not vegan. All Squashies varieties—including Drumstick Squashies, Refreshers Squashies, Bubblegum Squashies, and Fizzers Squashies—contain gelatine as a gelling agent. Gelatine is derived from animal collagen, making these sweets unsuitable for vegans and vegetarians.

Are Drumstick lollies vegan?

This depends on which version you buy. The original Drumstick Lollies contain gelatine in their chewy centre and are not vegan. However, Swizzels has launched a reformulated vegan version of Drumstick Lollies—check the packaging for "Suitable for Vegans" labelling to ensure you're getting the plant-based version.

Are Swizzels Love Hearts vegan?

Yes, Love Hearts are vegan. They contain no gelatine, dairy, or other animal-derived ingredients. The stearic acid and magnesium stearate in Love Hearts are plant-sourced. They're also gluten-free and halal-suitable. Note that Love Hearts Candy Sticks and Chocolate Coins (seasonal products) are NOT vegan as they contain milk.

Are Swizzels Fizzers vegan?

Yes, Fizzers are vegan-friendly. They're pressed sweets similar to Love Hearts and don't contain any gelatine or animal-derived ingredients. Fizzers are suitable for vegetarians, vegans, and those following halal diets.

Are Refreshers sweets vegan?

Refreshers Chew Bars, Refreshers Choos, and Refreshers Fizzy Rolls are all vegan. However, Refreshers Squashies are NOT vegan as they contain gelatine. Always check which specific Refreshers product you're buying.

Do any Swizzels sweets contain gelatine?

Yes, several Swizzels products contain gelatine: all Squashies varieties (Drumstick, Refreshers, Bubblegum, Rhubarb & Custard, Fizzers), original Drumstick Lollies, Fun Gums, and Marvellous Mallows. Some seasonal variety tubs may also contain products with gelatine.

Are Parma Violets suitable for vegans?

Yes, Parma Violets are vegan. They've never contained gelatine or animal-derived ingredients. The purple colouring comes from anthocyanin (a plant-based colour). They're also gluten-free and halal-suitable.