Vegans: what a time it is to be alive. When once you were lucky if someone slung you a tofu burger, in 2022, there are vegan and vegetarian-friendly products coming out the proverbial wazoo. The latest member to join the plant-based brigade? Jelly beans.

Allen’s Lollies has announced that its beloved jelly beans will now be 100 percent plant-based, with the transition taking place nationwide from mid-November.

But the question has to be asked: weren’t jelly beans already vegan? Well, it’s complicated. While they certainly weren’t crammed to the gills with big, juicy steaks, Allen’s jelly beans did once contain ingredients sourced from living creatures. Bugs, to be exact. Yuh-huh. The lollies were previously coloured with a food dye that was made from crushed up beetles. These South American beetles, known as cochineal, are commonly used the world over to add colour to everything from ice creams and yoghurts to soft drinks and even lipstick. It seems eating insects is not such a newfangled idea after all. (Also, note to self: buy new lipstick.)

Instead of bugs, Allen’s will now be using plant-based colouring agents derived from beetroot and paprika. Sadly, however, this doesn’t mean they now count towards your five daily serves of veg. Sorry.

To find the vegan jelly beans in store, just look for the green “vegan-friendly” labelling on the top corner of the pack. You might find us there, searching in vain for a bag that doesn’t contain any black ones. They’re the devil’s jelly beans, you know.

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