If you are on a certain diet, like a vegetarian or vegan one, you need to be aware of what is in the food you eat all the time. This also means that you will need to give up on some of your favorite treats. Some chocolates, like Snickers, also fall in this category. So, this brings up the question if Snickers has gelatin?.
Snickers do not contain gelatin nor any other pork product. However, it contains milk and eggs, which make it suitable only for some types of vegetarians (lacto-ovo-vegetarians). Snickers is not vegan-friendly, but there are homemade Snickers alternatives.
Read on to find out how to make the best vegan and vegetarian Snickers bar at home, as well as what ingredients in the original Snickers are bad for these diets.
Does Snickers Have Pork Gelatin?
The tasty mix of chocolate, caramel, peanuts, and nougat in Snickers makes it one of the most popular candy bars in the world. But, like many candies, the ingredients can be a problem for some people, especially those who don’t eat pork. So does Snickers contain pork gelatin? Let’s find out.
What is Gelatin?
Gelatin is a protein derived from collagen, a structural protein found in animal bones skins ligaments and tissues. It has unique gelling properties that allow it to transform liquids into semi-solid gels, which is why it’s commonly used as a thickener and texturizer in many foods like yogurt, ice cream, marshmallows and gummy candies.
Gelatin can be derived from cows, pigs and fish. Pork gelatin is the most commonly used gelatin in food products. Beef gelatin is more common in supplements and pharmaceuticals. Fish gelatin offers a pork and beef-free alternative.
Why is Gelatin Used in Foods Like Candy?
Gelatin has some useful properties that make it appealing for use in foods:
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Gelling agent – Gelatin dissolves in hot water then sets into a gel upon cooling. This allows it to provide body, structure and that chewy texture in gummy candies, marshmallows and other confections.
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Stabilizer – Gelatin can prevent ingredients from separating, allowing foods to retain a consistent texture.
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Emulsifier – Gelatin can bind both water and oil together, allowing smooth emulsification in products like ice cream.
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Foaming agent – Gelatin can stabilize air bubbles, allowing food to be whipped into light foams like mousses.
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Clarifying agent – Gelatin can help remove cloudiness and impurities from beverages.
For all these useful properties, gelatin remains a ubiquitous ingredient in many processed food products today.
Does Snickers Contain Pork Gelatin?
According to Snickers manufacturer Mars Inc., Snickers bars do not contain pork gelatin or any other pork-derived ingredients.
Upon careful inspection of the Snickers ingredients list, the candy bar contains:
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Milk chocolate (sugar, cocoa butter, chocolate, skim milk, lactose, milkfat, soy lecithin, artificial flavor)
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Corn syrup
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Peanuts
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Sugar
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Palm oil
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Skim milk
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Lactose
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Salt
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Egg whites
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Artificial flavor
Two animal-derived ingredients are present – milk and egg whites. No pork or beef gelatin is added.
Mars Inc. also clearly states that all their products are gelatin-free and made without any pork enzymes or byproducts. Their manufacturing processes are designed to avoid cross-contamination between equipment used for pork and non-pork products.
So in conclusion, Snickers bars do not contain gelatin from pork or other animal sources, according to manufacturer claims and ingredient labels. The chewy nougat texture comes from the combination of corn syrup, sugar, milk products and egg whites instead.
Why Do People Ask If Snickers Contains Pork?
There are a few reasons why consumers often question if Snickers contains pork gelatin or other pork-derived ingredients:
Religious Dietary Restrictions
Many religions place restrictions around pork consumption, including Islam, Judaism, Rastafarianism, and certain denominations of Christianity. Candy is not always considered a “safe” food, so adherents try to determine if pork byproducts are present.
Vegetarian and Vegan Diets
Vegans and vegetarians entirely avoid consumption of meat, fish, poultry, eggs and dairy. Gelatin is also avoided since it is derived from animal parts. Confirming no animal-based ingredients are present is important.
Food Allergies and Sensitivities
Some people have pork allergies or sensitivities. Tiny amounts of pork gelatin can trigger reactions, so it’s vital for them to avoid any cross-contamination.
Ethical and Environmental Concerns
There are ethical debates around animal welfare and slaughter methods in the pork industry. There are also environmental concerns around industrial pork farming. These issues lead some consumers to avoid pork products altogether.
With all these dietary, religious, ethical and health considerations around pork, manufacturers like Mars Inc. take care to reassure customers that pork gelatin and other pork-derived ingredients are not used in their candy recipes. This gives consumers peace of mind that enjoying a chocolatey Snickers bar fits within their restrictions.
Snickers Alternatives That Are Gelatin-Free
While standard Snickers bars contain no gelatin or pork products, the ingredient list may still not fit everyone’s dietary needs. Here are some alternatives for a gelatin-free candy fix:
Vegan “Snickerdoodle” bars
Homemade vegan candy bars can replicate the Snickers taste using plant-based ingredients like cashews, coconut oil, maple syrup, cacao powder, pea protein powder and gluten-free oats.
Justin’s Peanut Butter Cups
Justin’s makes peanut butter cups with organic peanut butter and Rainforest Alliance certified chocolate. They are palm oil free, gluten free, dairy free and gelatin free.
Alter Eco Chocolate Bars
Alter Eco makes single origin USDA Organic and Fair Trade Dark Chocolate Bars with ethically sourced cacao beans. They are certified vegan and contain no animal products.
Endangered Species Chocolate Bars
Endangered Species Chocolate’s signature creamy bars are made ethically with environmentally friendly cacao farming practices. They are certified vegan and gluten free.
Theo Chocolate Bars
Theo Chocolate makes organic, fair trade bean-to-bar chocolate without soy, dairy or gluten. They offer creative flavors like Fig Fennel and Cherry Almond in vegan and non-vegan varieties.
Coconut Bliss Chocolate Bars
Dairy-free Coconut Bliss bars are made from organic coconut milk and fair trade chocolate. They come in indulgent flavors like Dark Chocolate Salted Caramel and Mint Galactica.
With a wide range of ethical chocolate bars made without gelatin, eggs, dairy or other animal products available, those avoiding pork have plenty of tasty clean label options to satisfy a chocolate craving.
In Conclusion
So does Snickers contain pork gelatin or other pork-derived ingredients? According to manufacturer Mars Inc., the answer is no. Snickers bars do not contain gelatin or any pork enzymes, byproducts or derivatives. For those avoiding pork for religious, dietary or ethical reasons, Snickers is considered permissible, though some may still wish to avoid the milk and egg whites. Thankfully for candy lovers, there are now more gelatin-free and vegan chocolate options on the market than ever before. With some careful label reading and brand research, it’s possible to enjoy an indulgent chocolate treat that aligns with your dietary needs and restrictions. Just remember moderation is key when it comes to candy consumption!
Does Snickers Have Pork or Gelatin in It?
When following a strict diet, you need to be careful with the candies you eat, even if they don’t have certain ingredients. Thankfully, most food companies today pay attention to the different types of people who might buy their products.
The Mars company, which makes Snickers, has made it clear that this candy does not contain any kind of pork gelatin as one of its main ingredients. This means that anyone who has to stay away from pork can eat the Snickers bar without any problems.
Is Snickers Halal or Haram?
Even though halal food has been around for a while, it has become very popular recently. This is mostly because the market wants more halal food to be made. The Mars company, which also makes other candies like Bounty, had to make sure its standards were up to date with what the market wanted.
They have confirmed that all of their products, including the Snickers bar, are halal. This means that they were made using the standards for halal production. All of Mars’s products are safe for customers who need food to be halal.
Foods/Drinks Muslims CANNOT have?! #shorts
FAQ
Is Snickers halal or haram?
Which candies have pork gelatin?
Can Vegetarians eat Snickers?
What animal products are in Snickers?
Does Snickers have gelatin?
So, this brings up the question if Snickers has gelatin? Snickers do not contain gelatin nor any other pork product. However, it contains milk and eggs, which make it suitable only for some types of vegetarians (lacto-ovo-vegetarians). Snickers is not vegan-friendly, but there are homemade Snickers alternatives.
What foods contain pork gelatin?
Fish oil supplements and omega-3-enriched foods, such as eggs and milk, sometimes contain pork gelatin in the form of softgel capsules or as a stabilizer. Look for vegan or vegetarian omega-3 products that use algae-based DHA and EPA sources and plant-based alternatives to gelatin.
Does chewing gum contain pork gelatin?
Pork gelatin can be found in some yogurt products, particularly fruit-flavored varieties, to help thicken and stabilize the texture. To avoid gelatin, opt for plain yogurt or look for brands that use alternative thickeners, such as pectin or agar-agar. Chewing gum often contains pork gelatin as a softening agent.
Do sour candy bars have gelatin?
Sour candies can be a bit trickier, as some brands do contain gelatin. However, there are still plenty of options: These candies provide a tangy and sweet flavor without the addition of gelatin. Many candy bars are also free of gelatin.