do jolly rancher gummies have pork gelatin

Do Jolly Rancher Gummies Have Pork Gelatin? A Complete Guide

Jolly Rancher gummies have been a popular candy choice for both kids and adults alike due to their burst of fruity flavors and chewy texture. However, many health-conscious and ethically-minded consumers want to know whether these tantalizing treats contain pork gelatin before popping them in their mouths. As a vegan myself, I completely understand the desire to avoid ingesting any animal products.

In this comprehensive 1888 word guide I will cover everything you need to know about Jolly Rancher gummies and pork gelatin including a complete ingredient breakdown, which varieties are vegan, and what to watch out for. My goal is to provide clarity so you can enjoy these nostalgic candies while upholding your personal dietary preferences and values.

A Brief History of Jolly Rancher Candies

Before diving into the specifics on pork gelatin, let’s step back and explore the origin story of the Jolly Rancher candy brand. Jolly Rancher was founded in 1949 by Bill Harmsen of the Harmsen Chocolate Company in Denver, Colorado. The story goes that Bill was looking to utilize some excess fruit syrup supplies, so he came up with the idea of making fruit-flavored hard candies, which he dubbed “Jolly Rancher” after his favorite breed of horse.

The candy was a big hit, both because it tasted like strong fruit and because it had a unique, flat square shape. The early fruit flavors were lemon, apple, grape, and watermelon. In 1960, Harmsen sold Jolly Rancher to Beatrice Foods. The Jolly Rancher brand grew from hard candies to lollipops, gummies, jelly beans, and chews while it was owned by Beatrice Foods. It is now owned by The Hershey Company and makes more than 35 million pounds of candy every year. Jolly Rancher is now without a doubt the best candy brand out there.

Jolly Rancher Ingredients and Gelatin

When examining whether Jolly Ranchers contain pork, it’s essential to take a close look at the ingredients. The primary ingredients in original Jolly Rancher hard candies are corn syrup, sugar, malic acid, artificial flavors and colors, and soy lecithin. These core ingredients point to the fact that the classic hard candies are devoid of any animal products, including pork gelatin.

However, when we start examining some of the other Jolly Rancher products like gummies and chews, the ingredient profile gets a bit more complicated. Gelatin, a common ingredient in gummy candies, is made by boiling animal bones, skins, and tissues to extract collagen. Pork gelatin comes specifically from pig parts. On their website, Jolly Rancher states that their products are not vegan or vegetarian due to the potential for cross-contamination with animal products like gelatin. This indicates that some varieties likely contain pork gelatin as an ingredient.

Identifying Vegan Jolly Rancher Products

Luckily, Jolly Rancher offers plenty of delicious flavors and varieties that are completely free of animal ingredients like pork gelatin, making them safe for vegans. Here is a comprehensive list of the vegan Jolly Rancher products that I recommend based on carefully examining the ingredients lists:

• Hard candies (all flavors, including Zero Sugar)
• Lollipops (all flavors)
• Stix (all flavors)
• Candy Canes (all flavors)
• Bites (Awesome Twosome flavor only)
• Gummies (all flavors)
• Jelly Beans

You can see that none of the Jolly Rancher gummies, not even the sour ones or the weird-shaped ones, contain pork gelatin or any other animal product. So you can enjoy those chewy fruit snacks with a clear conscience!.

Non-Vegan Jelly Rancher Products Containing Pork Gelatin

While the vast majority of Jolly Ranchers are vegan-safe, there are two varieties that do contain pesky pork gelatin:

• Chews
• Jelly Hearts

These chewy candies rely on gelatin to achieve their soft, gummy texture. Always check the ingredients list carefully to make sure you avoid these if you’re avoiding pork products.

Other Animal-Based Ingredients to Watch Out For

In addition to pork gelatin, there are a couple other potential animal-derived ingredients that may lurk in Jolly Ranchers, especially their “natural flavors.” Let’s take a quick look:

• Beeswax – Made from honeycomb secreted by bees, some strict vegans avoid this.
• Confectioner’s Glaze – Also called shellac, this resin from lac bugs gives candy a glossy coating. Some vegans avoid while others are more flexible.
• Carmine/Cochineal Extract – Red food coloring from crushed cochineal insects. Unlikely to be in Jolly Ranchers but always good to scan for.
• Natural flavors – While most are plant-derived, can sometimes contain animal products. Jolly Rancher doesn’t specify sources so vegans need to beware.

By being vigilant about scanning ingredients lists and doing your research, you can determine if a particular Jolly Rancher product contains any animal-based ingredients like pork that you wish to avoid. When in doubt, reach out to the company directly to inquire about sources.

Why Do Some Candies Contain Pork Gelatin?

Now that we’ve established only two Jolly Rancher varieties contain trace amounts of pork gelatin, you may be wondering — why is it used in some candies in the first place? What purpose does it serve? Pork gelatin performs a few critical functions:

• Provides a chewy texture – Gelatin gives gummy candies their signature soft, squishy, elastic bite. Without it, the candies would be hard.

• Holds flavor – Gelatin has a property that allows it to absorb and hold onto flavor oils and juices, allowing the fruit taste to burst in your mouth.

• Allows for molding – The pliable nature of gelatin allows candy makers to mold it into fun shapes like hearts, worms, and bears.

• Acts as a stabilizer – Gelatin helps maintain an even distribution of ingredients throughout chewy candies so the texture remains consistent.

While there are vegan alternatives like pectin, agar, and gum arabic that can mimic some of gelatin’s functional properties, pork gelatin remains a go-to for major candy companies. But times are changing as demand rises for plant-based candies, so expect to see even more gelatin-free options popping up on shelves soon.

Common Questions About Jolly Ranchers and Pork Gelatin

I want to make sure I cover all the key questions surrounding this topic so you can get the specifics about Jolly Ranchers you need to make an informed decision:

Do Jolly Rancher gummies have pork gelatin?

Fortunately, no – all Jolly Rancher gummy varieties, from regular to sour to misfits, are gelatin-free and vegan.

Do any Jolly Ranchers have pork gelatin?

Yes, both the Jelly Hearts and Chews contain pork gelatin. All other varieties are gelatin-free.

What ingredients make Jolly Ranchers not vegan?

The primary non-vegan ingredient is pork gelatin in Jelly Hearts and Chews. Natural flavors and beeswax may also not be vegan.

Are Jolly Ranchers gluten-free?

Yes, Jolly Ranchers are gluten-free and safe for those with celiac disease or gluten intolerance.

Can vegans eat Jolly Ranchers?

Yes, vegans can safely enjoy all Jolly Rancher products except for Jelly Hearts and Chews, as long as they check labels for beeswax and natural flavors.

Understanding the nuances around ingredients can empower you to make the best choice for your dietary needs when choosing a snack. As a vegan myself, I remember what it was like to read every label with a fine-toothed comb, and I want to pass on that knowledge to assist others.

The Bottom Line on Jolly Ranchers and Pork Gelatin

When it comes to Jolly Ranchers, most varieties are free of pork gelatin and animal-based ingredients, making them a delicious vegan-friendly choice. However, two chewy varieties – Jelly Hearts and Chews – do contain trace amounts of pork gelatin for texture and shaping. Jolly Rancher gummies in all forms are 100% pork gelatin-free, despite their chewy texture.