If you’re a vegetarian, you can’t really eat those cute Conversation Hearts, even if the sugar isn’t made with bone char, unless gelatin is part of your idea of vegetarian food. Yes, like gummy bears, Brach’s Conversation Hearts, the Valentine’s day fave, contain gelatin. Um, with an exception. While I was at Walmart looking at the Valentine’s Day candy, I did notice that neither the Sassy nor the Sweet Conversation Hearts (at left) had gelatin in them. I can’t remember which one does or doesn’t, but I’ll go back to Walmart and find out if their answer to my email doesn’t make it pointless. While I’m there, I’ll also pick up a few boxes. Since Brach’s is a pretty big candy company, I hope they keep very good records of how their distributors handle ingredients. However, that wasn’t the case with Godiva. So we shall see.
Hello, My name is Sarah. I want to first say that I enjoyed your products throughout my childhood. As I’ve gotten older, I have become a vegetarian. After reading about vegetarianism, I learned that some sugar refineries use bone char filters to make their sugar whiter. I’d like to know if your company buys sugar from refineries that use bone char filters. I’ve asked a lot of companies about their ingredients and processing methods, and some have been more open than others. I thank you and your company greatly for any time given to this matter.
Candy corn is a Halloween staple that many people look forward to each year. The small triangular candies with their distinctive white, orange, and yellow pattern are nostalgic for many. But if you follow a vegan or vegetarian diet, you may be wondering – does Brach’s candy corn contain pork gelatin?
As one of the most popular candy corn brands, Brach’s ingredients are important to analyze With more people adopting plant-based diets and looking to avoid certain animal products, understanding what goes into our candy has become more crucial
In this article, we’ll take a close look at Brach’s candy corn, the classic Halloween treat, and break down whether or not it contains ingredients like pork gelatin. We’ll also explore some alternative candy options for those avoiding animal-derived products.
A Brief History of Candy Corn
Let’s take a quick look at the history of this famous Halloween candy before we get to them.
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Candy corn first emerged in the 1880s and was invented by a man named George Renninger
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It was originally referred to as “butter cream candy” when first introduced.
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The “corn” name came from the practice of calling many candies “corns” at the time. It did not derive from the candy’s corn syrup ingredient.
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Candy corn was mass produced and became hugely popular by the early 1900s.
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The recipe and shape have remained largely unchanged, although artificial colors and flavors are more commonly used today.
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Brach’s is one of the largest and most recognizable candy corn producers today.
Now that we’ve covered some key candy corn facts, let’s analyze those Brach’s ingredients.
Breaking Down the Ingredients in Brach’s Candy Corn
Brach’s candy corn contains a number of different ingredients, including sugar, corn syrup, confectioner’s glaze, dextrose, sesame oil, artificial flavor, honey, food coloring, and more.
However, one particular ingredient has caused debate around whether or not it can be considered vegan – gelatin.
Here are some key facts around the gelatin used in Brach’s candy corn:
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Gelatin is derived from the bones, skins, and connective tissues of animals, most commonly pigs and cows. This makes it non-vegan.
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Brach’s has confirmed that the gelatin used in their candy corn comes from pork sources.
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Gelatin gives candy corn its chewy, gummy texture. It acts as a binder and thickener.
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In addition to gelatin, some candy corn may contain confectioner’s glaze or shellac, made from insect secretions, also non-vegan.
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While the main components of candy corn like sugar and corn syrup are vegan, the addition of gelatin and other ingredients make Brach’s candy corn unsuitable for a vegan diet.
Therefore, the answer is yes – Brach’s candy corn does contain pork gelatin, making it off-limits for those avoiding animal products. Other brands likely contain gelatin or shellac as well.
Why Gelatin Is Not Considered Vegan
Since gelatin is an important factor in the vegan-friendliness of candy corn, let’s take a closer look at why it is non-vegan:
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Gelatin is made by boiling the bones, skins, and connective tissues of pigs and cows. This extracts the collagen, which is processed into gelatin.
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For vegans, using any animal-derived ingredient is considered unethical and goes against vegan principles.
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The gelatin production process is viewed as exploitation and cruelty to animals by vegans.
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There are significant ethical concerns around the slaughter processes and treatment of animals in gelatin manufacturing.
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Many vegans advocate strongly against using gelatin or any animal by-products in food production.
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There are plant-based alternatives that can be used in place of gelatin as thickeners and binders.
Seeking Out Vegan Candy Corn Options
Is there truly vegan candy corn available? This Halloween classic is difficult to find in 100% plant-based form, but a few options exist:
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Homemade candy corn – There are some vegan candy corn recipes using plant-based gelling agents like agar agar or pectin instead of gelatin. These replicate the texture well.
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SmartSweets – This brand offers vegan gummy bears and other gelatin-free candies that can substitute for those missing candy corn.
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YumEarth – They offer vegan gummy candies without gelatin, great for Halloween.
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Enjoy Life – Their allergy-friendly candies avoid gelatin and common allergens.
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Goody Good Stuff – Makes vegan gummy fruit candies without animal ingredients.
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Surf Sweets – Vegan gummy bears and worms that are gelatin-free.
So while genuine vegan candy corn is hard to find, there are lots of innovative brands offering plant-based gummies and other gelatin-free treats. And homemade options allow you to recreate the classic treat in a vegan way.
What About Other Popular Halloween Candies?
Candy corn isn’t the only popular Halloween treat. What about other candies like Skittles, Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups or M&Ms? Here is a quick overview of whether these candies are vegan-friendly:
- Skittles – Original Skittles are vegan! But some other flavors contain non-vegan ingredients, so check labels.
- Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups – Contain milk chocolate,
an evolving guide to living vegan
If you’re a vegetarian, you can’t really eat those cute Conversation Hearts, even if the sugar isn’t made with bone char, unless gelatin is part of your idea of vegetarian food. Yes, like gummy bears, Brach’s Conversation Hearts, the Valentine’s day fave, contain gelatin. Um, with an exception. While I was at Walmart looking at the Valentine’s Day candy, I did notice that neither the Sassy nor the Sweet Conversation Hearts (at left) had gelatin in them. I can’t remember which one does or doesn’t, but I’ll go back to Walmart and find out if their answer to my email doesn’t make it pointless. While I’m there, I’ll also pick up a few boxes. Since Brach’s is a pretty big candy company, I hope they keep very good records of how their distributors handle ingredients. However, that wasn’t the case with Godiva. So we shall see.
Query 2-9-2011
Question regarding sugar processing practices
Hello, My name is Sarah. I want to first say that I enjoyed your products throughout my childhood. As I’ve gotten older, I have become a vegetarian. After reading about vegetarianism, I learned that some sugar refineries use bone char filters to make their sugar whiter. I’d like to know if your company buys sugar from refineries that use bone char filters. I’ve asked a lot of companies about their ingredients and processing methods, and some have been more open than others. I thank you and your company greatly for any time given to this matter.
Does candy corn have pig?
FAQ
Does Brachs use pork gelatin?
Is Brach’s candy corn halal?
Is Brach’s candy corn vegetarian?
What are the ingredients in Brach’s candy corn?
What is Brach’s candy corn?
It’s Brach’s® Candy Corn season! Have a fall full of flavor and sweetness with America’s #1 Candy Corn*. The original tri-colored treat has the memorable texture and honey-forward flavor Candy Corn connoisseurs crave. Perfect for carrying on old traditions or starting new ones.
What is the difference between Brach’s Classic Candy corn and harvest corn?
(Source for banned ingredients: Amazon Whole Foods Web site 10/23) THERE’S MORE THAN JUST ADDED COCOA IN BRACH’S HARVEST CORN: Below is a comparison of Brach’s Classic Candy Corn with 12 ingredients vs. Harvest Corn which has 17 ingredients and a chocolate flavored bottom layer.
Are Jelly Belly candy corn and Edelweiss candy corn the same?
Seen below, Jelly Belly Candy Corn and Edelweiss Candy Corn are the same product with identical ingredient lists; it is likely that Belly makes the Candy Corn which Edelweiss packages under their brand name. And we leave you with some Brach’s Candy ads from the past when Brach’s Candies were positioned on Freshness.
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.