As with all products made using gelatin, gummy bears nearly always contain animal-derived ingredients. This is because the collagen needed to produce the gelatin is often made from the bones of cattle or pigs. Foods which are dyed red are particularly likely to contain animal products. The additive “E120” is often used here. This code refers to the coloring carmine, which is obtained from dried female lice.
If you don’t want to have to go without gummy sweets, make sure you go for products which are marked vegan – because there are more and more animal-free alternatives on the market, and they’re just as yummy as conventional sweets!