Are Smarties vegetarian? The answer is very definitely no.

Since publishing a blog post about the vegetarian status of Smarties that discusses the ins and outs of the use of cochineal, made by crushing insects, in the colouring of them and whether that is allowed for vegetarians, I have received an email from Nestlé that categorically settles the argument. It has nothing to do with cochineal or food colourings at all.

Email from Nestlé:

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Thank you very much for your email.

We no longer use riboflavin, carminic acid, copper complexes of chlorophyllins, vegetable carbon or mixed carotenes in the classic and mini Smarties. In the new Smarties we are making use of 'colouring foodstuffs'. These are ingredients which may impart colour when added to a food product and are typically concentrates of fruits or vegetables, but may also be cereals, spices or other foods. Importantly, they retain the essential characteristics of the food they originate from.

The specific 'colouring foodstuffs' used in Smarties are:

Black carrot (Daucus carota L.)
Hibiscus (fruit of Hibiscus sabdariffa)
Lemon
Radish (Raphanus sativus)
Red cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. capitata rubra)
Safflower (flowers of Carthamus tinctorius L.)
Spirulina (Arthrospira).

In respect of the vegetarian status of Smarties, the milk chocolate contains whey powder. Whey is manufactured from milk using either animal rennet or vegetarian rennet. Smarties contain animal rennet.

For more information on Nutrition please go to our Nutrition Website.

Thank you once again for taking the trouble to contact us. I hope this reply answers your questions and that you enjoy our products in the future.

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Smarties contain animal rennet and are therefore not suitable for vegetarians.