Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Shouldn’t Miss Out on Vegan Gummies

We have discussed the popularity of gummy vitamins and supplements in the past. Did you know there also exists a significant market demand for vegan alternatives? 

People who adhere to veganism, and some vegetarians, resist consuming any and all animal byproducts. Gelatin, which is a common ingredient in many gummy varieties, has an animal origin and is not suitable for those who follow a vegan diet. 

Manufacturers that produce gummy vitamins and supplements should consider adding vegan gummies to their product offerings. This will open opportunities to reach a highly targeted customer base with strong loyalty to consumer goods that match their values. 

Just How Big is the Market for Vegan Gummies? 

Gummy vitamins are a massively popular pharmaceutical product. Why? They taste better and are easier to take compared to many traditional alternatives. Who doesn’t love something healthy that also tastes like candy? 

As we mentioned, however, a person who follows a vegan diet cannot enjoy most gummy vitamins due to the gelatin base. Instead, they require a gummy formulated with animal-free alternatives. 

The vegan market does not exist in some narrow, niche vertical either. In 2020, 79.82 million Americans said they use meat alternatives in their diets. This accounts for approximately 24% of the entire national population. Statistically, this means 24 in every 100 people you encounter on a regular basis do use vegan alternatives to meat products in their diets to some extent. 

The growing market for vegan alternatives to animal-based ingredients should continue to grow steadily, and gummy vitamin manufacturers that produce vegan variants of their products will stand to generate significant returns and customer loyalty. 

Other Benefits to Offering Vegan Gummy Vitamins: 

• Advertising – Copacking clients looking for a provider that can offer vegan gummies will be more likely to seek your services. For in-house manufacturers, it expands the capabilities of your company product lines. 
• Customer Loyalty – Copacking clients and consumers alike that are seeking vegan gummy vitamins and supplements will have greater loyalty to your brand as a trusted non-gelatin manufacturer. 
• Expanded Manufacturing Capabilities – Further round out your production capabilities and generate more business opportunities as a result. 
• Minimal Process Alteration – The processes for making vegan gummies and gelatin gummies are relatively similar and do not require a great deal of operational overhaul. 

What About Other Vegan Pharmaceuticals? 

If you are also interested in producing other vegan types of pharmaceutical products, you can also create softgels and capsules with gelatin alternatives. Depending on the exact material you use in your manufacturing process, this may require an adjustment in your operations to compensate for different temperatures. For example, vgels are more temperature-sensitive than gelatin softgels. In these cases, it is best to consult with the supplier of your vegan ingredients and ask them for more information and insight. 

What Are Vegan Alternatives to Gelatin? 

There exist a handful of vegan alternatives to gelatin. Some popular options include: 

Agar Agar Powder

Agar agar powder is sourced from red algae and can replicate a gelatin-like consistency. This allows for the same chewy and enjoyable gummy vitamin experience for consumers, though this material produces softer finished products than its gelatin-based counterpart. 

Agar agar is also a flavorless gelatin substitute and it dissolves in hot water, making it perfect for manufacturers that need to add a variety of flavors to their gummies. It also settles after about an hour when cooled at room temperature.

Because agar agar can generally be evenly swapped with gelatin down to the gram, it does not require a massive reformulating of your non-vegan gummy vitamin recipes. In many cases, you can simply substitute the amount of gelatin with agar agar in its place. 

Carrageenan

Made from another type of red seaweed called Irish Moss, carrageenan is a gelatin substitute that is also used in making other vegan products like cheese substitutes. It is noticeably softer than other gelatin substitutes and may not be suitable for manufacturers looking to produce gummies with a firmer consistency. 

Tapioca 

Extracted from the cassava root, tapioca has been used to provide a chewy, gummy-like texture to many treats around the world. It can mimic a similar effect to gelatin with a bit more chewability to make taking vitamins easier. 

Pectin

Pectin is a powdery plant starch that can be used as a gelatin replacement. For manufacturers that make pectin-based vitamin supplements, you could potentially integrate these products into a gummy recipe and create a chewable variant of one of your already successful products. 

Vegan Jel

Rather than being a distinct ingredient, vegan jel can refer to a variety of plant-based gelatin alternatives. Because this product category refers to a broad range of potential ingredients, it is best to consult with the vegan jel manufacturer regarding the gelatin replacement ratio for the specific type of vegan jel you purchase from them. 

Konjac

Konjac is an herb from certain regions of Asia and can be used as a gelatin substitute. On its own, it is known as a source of fiber and is marketed as an ingredient in many supplements. However, it can also be used in making gummy vitamins as well. 

Do note, konjac is currently banned in parts of Europe. If you plan to sell konjac-based gummy products in Europe, we advise that you consult with your distributors about local food regulations to see if your product needs to be altered before sending it overseas. 

The Vegan Gummy Manufacturing Process: An Overview 

For most vegan gummy vitamins and supplements, the manufacturing process will be similar to gelatin. The production cycle follows three main steps: Cooking, Depositing and Cooling, and lastly, Coating and Quality Control. 

First, the ingredients are preheated in a kettle where the temperature will directly affect the properties of the finished gummy product. This mixture, known as a slurry, will then be placed in a mixing tank where final ingredients will be added like coloring, flavor, active vitamins and supplements, and citric acid to modify the pH of the slurry – resulting in the “gelling” effect. 

Soon after the addition of citric acid, the mixture is transferred through heated pipes to a hopper on the depositor, where it will then be deposited into molds. The molds are chilled and sprayed with oil to prevent sticking and encourage the hot slurry to cool. 

The molds are then moved through a chilling tunnel that cools the slurry and causes it to take on the firmer texture of a gummy. The individual gummies are then removed from their molds and transferred to drying trays. 

The last phase includes two sub-phases: Coating and quality control. Coatings, though optional, are popular for many gummy vitamin and supplement manufacturers. They can enhance the flavor, appearance, and reduce stickiness in the packaging.

Depending on your production facility, your quality control process may vary for your gummies, but we do always recommend measuring water activity. Excessive water activity can cause microbial growth and shorten shelf life. You should examine the final product with a water activity meter to ensure its levels are appropriate and suitable for packaging and distribution. 

Get Started with Manufacturing Your Own Vegan Gummies

Since our founding, we have provided industry-leading production equipment to many manufacturers that are looking to offer a gelatin alternative for their operations. We can also help you not only meet your performance needs in the present but also connect you with a system that can anticipate future increases in scope and scale as well. 

To learn more about machines, components, and general information about manufacturing vegan gummies, contact us anytime.