Black Forest gummies have become a popular snack in recent years. Their colorful packaging and fun shapes appeal to both children and adults alike. However many people wonder – do these tasty treats actually contain pork products? In this article we’ll take an in-depth look at Black Forest’s ingredients and find out the truth.
An Overview of Black Forest Gummies
Black Forest offers a wide variety of gummy candies including
- Gummy Bears
- Worms
- Raspberries
- Peaches
- Cherries
- and more!
They come in both classic and organic options. The organic gummies are certified USDA organic and made with natural colors and flavors.
All Black Forest gummies are promoted as being:
- Gluten-free
- Fat-free
- Made with fruit juice
- Produced in the USA
You might think these snacks are vegetarian or even vegan based on the health-conscious ads. But let’s examine the ingredients to find out.
The Role of Gelatin in Gummies
Gelatin is what gives gummy candies their characteristic chewy texture. It acts as a binder and thickener. Gelatin is produced by boiling the bones, skins, and connective tissues of animals – most commonly pigs and cows.
Obviously, this makes gelatin not vegetarian or vegan. Many people also avoid gelatin for religious reasons if it comes from certain animals.
Nowadays, there are vegan gelatins made from seaweed, pectin, and agar agar. However, these alternatives can be more expensive or difficult for companies to source.
So what is Black Forest’s stance on gelatin?
Black Forest Gummies Contain Pork Gelatin
According to Black Forest’s website, all of their gummy products contain pork gelatin. Here is a direct quote:
“We use pork gelatin to achieve the perfect yummy, gummy chew.”
The company states that pork gelatin provides the best texture and consistency compared to other options. So yes, Black Forest gummies do contain pork, and are not vegetarian, vegan, kosher, or halal.
This ingredient is not highlighted or easily found on their packaging. But a careful read of the fine print ingredients label will show “gelatin” listed.
Are Any Black Forest Products Vegan?
Currently, Black Forest does not offer any gummy or fruit snack products that are vegan or vegetarian. Their classic and organic gummy lines all contain pork gelatin.
However, Black Forest does make a few products that appear to be accidentally vegan:
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Fruit Rolls – These dried fruit leather strips do not contain gelatin in the ingredients. However, it’s unclear if the sugar used is processed with bone char.
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Fruit Flavored Snacks – These look like gummy bears but are made with tapioca syrup instead of gelatin. Again, the bone char sugar issue remains unclear.
So fruit rolls and the “gummy” fruit snacks may be vegan if they use vegan sugar. It would require directly contacting the company to know for sure. But the classic gummies definitely contain pork.
Customer Reactions and Demands for Vegan Options
Many customers feel frustrated and misled by Black Forest’s unclear labeling around gelatin. With the clean, organic branding, it’s easy to assume their gummies are vegetarian or vegan when they actually contain pork.
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“I made the mistake thinking that the Black Forest Organic Gummy Bears were a safe choice until I read there was gelatin added…Please make this out of the “Other” Agar gelatin so I do not have to buy different snacks for different students.”
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“With Black Forest products, many of the colors you see are derived from plant-based sources. THAT’s something to feel good about! But not the pork gelatin?”
In recent years, shoppers have been vocal about demanding vegan Black Forest candy options:
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Thousands have signed petitions on Change.org and other sites requesting vegan gummy bears.
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Many directly contact the company by phone, email, and social media to complain.
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Large retailers like Whole Foods require Black Forest to disclose the pork gelatin on signs near the products.
This consumer pressure has led the company to state they are looking into possible vegan offerings. But so far, no changes have been made.
Alternatives – Truly Vegan Gummy Bears and Candy
Luckily, there are some delicious vegan gummy bear options available:
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Surf Sweets – Organic Fruity Bears made with pectin, not gelatin. Come in fun flavors like Island Paradise.
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Squish – Offer vegan gummy bears, worms, octopuses, and more in unique flavors like chili mango and champagne.
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Organic Candy Factory – Organic, kosher vegan gummy cubs come in yummy mixed berry and peach flavors.
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Tommy’s Bears – Fat free, kosher, and halal gummy bears made with real fruit juice.
So vegans, vegetarians, and anyone avoiding pork have excellent gummy choices. Hopefully someday Black Forest will expand into certified vegan candies as well. But for now, health-conscious snackers will want to look at gelatin-free alternatives.
The Bottom Line
After reviewing the ingredients and company statements, we can definitively conclude that yes, Black Forest gummies contain pork gelatin. While their marketing emphasizes organic and natural, these products are not suitable for vegetarians, vegans, or certain religious diets. Consumers have urgently requested vegan options, but Black Forest continues using pork for its classic gummy texture and consistency. Hopefully we’ll see some progress towards vegan Black Forest candy in the future. But for now, alternative brands offer delicious pork-free gummy bears and snacks.
List of Vegan Gummy Bears
- Vegan, 96% organic
- At Thrive Market, you can get the organic fruity bears for less money.
- As well as vegan candies, the company also makes ones with gelatin and confectioner’s glaze. Just be sure to get the right ones.
- Allergy safe for top ten most common food allergies
I have tried these and like them.
- Vegan
- Only 3g sugar, 6 net carbs, 60 calories per bag.
- Free from IMO, maltitol, sugar alcohols and inulin
- No artificial sweeteners or preservatives
- Vegan, Kosher certified, USDA organic.
- They used to have a great peach flavor, but it looks like you can’t get it right now.
- Vegan, Kosher, Fat-Free, Nut-Free.
- Certified Halal
- Made with real fruit juice
- I tried these and I like the flavors.
- You can choose from flavors like Rainbow, Chili Watermelon, and Sparkling, which I think tastes like champagne and comes in a bucket.
- The company also makes vegan gummy sharks, witches, and elephants, and their website has a section just for vegans.
- Vegan
- Unclear who makes these.
We now have vegan gummy bears under the Sprouts brand name. Sprouts is an American grocery store chain. Please note that Sprouts also sells non-vegan gummi bears. The vegan ones say “vegan” right on the front of the package in big letters.
- Vegan
- Certified organic
- Includes Vitamin C
- Naturally gluten-free
- Vegan
- Has an AMAZING black currant flavor.
- I stumbled upon these in a vegan supermarket in Paris. If you’re in Paris, you can get them at Naturalia stores that only sell vegan food. They were sold at a vegan store called Naturalia on 39 rue Merlin in Paris. (See my list of other great vegan food in Paris.)
- Available online at these German websites Miraherba and Naturkost. Not sure where they ship to. I think the price difference is because these two sites sell them in different sizes.
- video by Ela Gale on how to make them.
- recipe using agar agar powder by Cierra’s Country Life
- recipe for vegan sour gummy cocktail by Miss Kitchen Witch
- soy sauce gummy bears??!
- Also, check out this cheap set of gummy bear molds to make your own bears that are just the right shape!
Supposedly the store Rerformhaus Kusiekthey sells some vegan gummy bears.
After Seeing How Gummies Are Made, You’ll Probably Never Eat Them Again
FAQ
Is there pork in black forest gummies?
Is Black Forest gummies halal?
Do gummy bears have pork?
What are the ingredients in Black Forest Santa gummies?
Are Black Forest gummies organic?
Each Organic Gummy and Organic Fruit Snack is made with Certified USDA Organic** ingredients. From the coloring to the flavor, it’s real! We use fruit juice* to keep our snacks tasting…fruity. With Black Forest products, many of the colors you see are derived from plant-based sources. THAT’s something to feel good about!
How do Black Forest gummies taste?
Three different ways to taste soft and juicy fruit flavors Black Forest Gummies are made with real fruit juice* and colors and flavors from real sources to give you that juicy, fruity flavor you won’t find anywhere else. Bite into a snack that bursts with flavor and juicy delight!
Are there pork-free gummies?
While most gummies are made with traditional flavors, there are now options available for pork-free gummies in a variety of popular flavors such as fruit, citrus, and berry. These flavors are made using alternative ingredients and are suitable for individuals with dietary restrictions.
Are Black Forest gummies made of gelatin?
Gelatin is a common ingredient in most gummy bears, including Black Forest Gummies. Gelatin comes from the collagen in animal skin and connective tissue. Collagen is extracted from the bones, skin, and connective tissues of animals such as pigs and cows and is then processed to create gelatin. Gelatin is what gives gummy bears their chewy texture.