I get this question quite often, and it is normal since the Maoams sort of sweets is produced by the German confectionery company Haribo, and they have vast fans of sweets lovers.
The huge popularity of this candy made many vegans wonder if they could consume this product made up of chewy fruit-flavored candy in various flavors.
So, in this article, I will be in charge of answering if they are a great option for vegans or not. I will also answer in detail other related questions such as Is It Vegetarian, Gluten-free & Halal status? So, stay with me to learn more about your sweet candies!
Ingredients & Flavors
First, Let’s list the option that Maoams have. Without further ado, here are the varieties:
Before answering our main question, Let’s get a clear idea and see the ingredients.
| Flavor | Ingredients |
| STRIPES | Sugar; Glucose Syrup; Palm Fat; Humectant: Sorbitol Syrup; Acid: Citric Acid; Gelatin; Flavoring; Fruit and Plant Concentrates: Safflower, Lemon, Spirulina, Radish, Blackcurrant, Carrot, Apple; Caramelized Sugar Syrup; Liquor Ice Extract; Anti-Caking Agent: Talc; Glazing Agent: Beeswax; Treacle; Invert Sugar Syrup. |
| PINBALLS | Sugar; Glucose Syrup; Palm Fat; Humectant: Sorbitol Syrup; Acid: Citric Acid; Gelatin; Fruit and Plant Concentrates: Safflower, Radish, Carrot, Apple, Lemon, Spirulina, Blackcurrant; Flavoring; Caramelized Sugar Syrup; Liquor Ice Extract; Anti-Caking Agent: Talc; Glazing Agent: White and Yellow Beeswax; Treacle; Invert Sugar Syrup |
| JOYSTIXX | Sugar; Glucose Syrup; Palm Fat; Humectant: Sorbitol Syrup; Acid: Citric Acid; Gelatin; Flavoring; Fruit and Plant Concentrates: Safflower, Lemon, Spirulina, Radish, Blackcurrant, Carrot, Apple; Caramelized Sugar Syrup; Liquor Ice Extract; Anti-Caking Agent: Talc; Glazing Agent: Beeswax; Treacle; Invert Sugar Syrup. |
| BLOXX | Sugar; Glucose Syrup; Palm Fat; Humectant: Sorbitol Syrup; Gelatin; Acid: Citric Acid; Flavoring |
| PINBALLS HALLOWEEN | Sugar; Glucose Syrup; Palm Fat; Humectant: Sorbitol Syrup; Acid: Citric Acid; Gelatin; Fruit and Plant Concentrates: Sweet Potato, Safflower, Lemon, Spirulina, Radish, Blackcurrant; Apple; Flavoring; Anti-Caking Agent: Talc; Glazing Agent: White and Yellow Beeswax; Color: Vegetable Carbon. |
Are Maoams Vegan Or Vegetarian?
The answer is NO. All Maoams Flavors are not vegan or Vegetarian since they contain Strictly derived animal ingredients: Gelatin And/or Beeswax. This makes them unsuitable for vegans.
Also, Contain other questionable ingredients such as Sugar, Coloring. As explained in many articles, there are grey areas of ingredients since they can be sourced from animals or plants. But the common is extracted from plants.
Find below a table of quick Recap.
| Varieties & Flavors | Is It Vegan? | Non-vegan Ingredient |
| STRIPES | NO | Gelatin & Beeswax |
| PINBALLS | NO | Gelatin & Beeswax |
| JOYSTIXX | NO | Gelatin & Beeswax |
| BLOXX | NO | Gelatin |
| PINBALLS HALLOWEEN | NO | Gelatin & Beeswax |
Are Maoams Halal?
The answer is NO. Maoams contain a derived meat ingredient which is the Gelatin component. According to the Maoams website, the gelatin is derived from pigs which make far to be in the hand of any Muslims.
So, as a Muslim, you must avoid all flavors as listed Below. Here’s a quick Recap.
| Varieties & Flavors | Is It Halal? | Non-Halal Ingredient |
| STRIPES | NO | Gelatin |
| PINBALLS | NO | Gelatin |
| JOYSTIXX | NO | Gelatin |
| BLOXX | NO | Gelatin |
| PINBALLS HALLOWEEN | NO | Gelatin |
Are Maoams Gluten Free?
Fortunately, All Flavors of Maoams don’t Contain strict gluten ingredients. but there is no official information or confirmation that said is gluten-free or not. But all listed ingredients are gluten-free.
So, we can consider them Gluten free since they don’t contain any gluten or its derivative, meaning they can serve people allergic to gluten.
Indeed, All flavors are suitable for people following a Gluten-free diet.
Are They Vegetarian?
The answer is 100% NO. Maoams are not vegetarian since containing a derived animal by-product which is Gelatin. This makes them unsuitable for a vegetarian diet.