Ah, Halloween. Time to pick out costumes and stock up on candy for Trick or Treaters. And, of course, time for the weirdest, plastic-test, in-n0-way-corn-like candy corn to make its annual return. Which may have you wondering if candy corn is vegan or even if people should eat it at all. We can’t really answer the second question, but we can answer the first one. And to that, the answer is usually no.
Every year around Halloween, bags of candy corn show up on store shelves, ready for the tradition of trick-or-treating. But people who don’t eat pork have one question: does candy corn have pork gelatin in it?
With its bright orange tip and signature stripes, candy corn has become a quintessential Halloween treat Yet the cheery confection hides a potentially scary ingredient for some – gelatin derived from pigs
In this article we’ll explore how candy corn is made dive into the controversial gelatin content, and uncover whether vegetarian alternatives exist.
The Creepy History of Candy Corn
Candy corn has been around for over a century. It’s likely that George Renninger of the Wunderle Candy Company came up with the three-colored kernels in the 1880s.
Back then, most Americans lived on farms and corn was a popular symbol of harvest. Candy corn was designed to represent actual corn kernels, with the yellow mimicking corn, the orange resembling pumpkin, and the white imitating the tip of ripe corn.
The treat was originally made by hand, using trays and heated pots to create each distinct layer of flavor. Candy corn was much softer in texture compared to modern versions.
By the early 1900s, candy corn became mass produced. The Goelitz Confectionery Company (now Jelly Belly Candy Company) boosted candy corn’s popularity. Today, over 35 million pounds are produced each year!
Gelatin – The Sticky Ingredient Causing Controversy
So how is candy corn actually made? The ingredients consist of sugar, corn syrup, confectioner’s wax, salt, dextrose, vanilla, yellow food coloring, and the problematic gelatin.
Gelatin is what gives candy corn its chewy texture. It acts as a binding agent that holds the sugary ingredients together.
Gelatin can be derived from various animal sources such as cattle bones, pigs skin, or fish. However, the most common type used in food products comes from pigs.
Why Gelatin is Not Vegetarian-Friendly
Gelatin is obtained through the boiling of animal skins, tendons, ligaments, and bones. It contains high amounts of the amino acids glycine and proline.
The production process separates out the collagen, which is then filtered and hardened into gelatin. It results in an odorless, colorless substance that thickens or solidifies food and medication.
For vegetarians and vegans, gelatin is off-limits because it utilizes animal parts. Hindus also avoid it since cows are sacred in Hinduism. Even some non-vegetarians prefer to avoid gelatin from pigs for religious reasons.
Most Candy Corn Brands Opt for Pork-Based Gelatin
The two largest candy corn manufacturers are Brach’s and Jelly Belly. Both companies confirm that their regular candy corn products contain pork-derived gelatin.
Brach’s FAQ states: “Our candy corn does contain gelatin in the shellac coating. It is derived from animal protein (pork).”
Similarly, Jelly Belly indicates their candy corn uses gelatin sourced from pigs. They also coat the kernels with beeswax – an animal byproduct avoided by strict vegans.
Checking Labels is Crucial for Vegetarians
With the majority of popular candy corn containing pork gelatin, carefully checking ingredient labels is key for vegetarian consumers.
However, the task becomes tricky when companies use vague terms like “natural flavors” or “artificial colors.” These generic terms could be concealing animal-based ingredients like gelatin or carmine.
When in doubt, contacting the manufacturer directly may be the best route to get clear answers on their gelatin sources.
Seeking Out Vegan Alternatives
Thankfully, some smaller brands now offer candy corn options without controversial animal products:
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YumEarth Organic Vegan Candy Corn – Made with pectin instead of gelatin. Certified USDA Organic, Non-GMO Project Verified, gluten-free, and Kosher.
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Surf Sweets Organic Candy Corn – Gelatin-free and vegan. Uses natural colors and flavors.
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Sweet & Sara Vegan Marshmallow Candy Corn – Tapioca syrup replaces gelatin for a vegan version.
Checking for trustworthy vegan certifications like “Certified Vegan” ensures no animal ingredients were used. Buying organic when possible also avoids pesticides.
Homemade Candy Corn Lets You Control Ingredients
For the ultimate customization, candy lovers can create DIY candy corn at home. User-controlled recipes allow gelatin substitution with vegetable-based ingredients like agar or pectin.
Popular recipes include:
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Minimalist Baker’s 4-Ingredient Candy Corn – Swaps gelatin for arrowroot powder or cornstarch.
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Mason Jar Crafts Candy Corn – Replaces gelatin with agar powder.
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Jelly Toast’s Candy Corn – Uses agar-agar as the vegan jelling agent.
When preparing homemade candy corn, having pure candycorn molds makes for perfect kernel shaping. And natural food dyes create vibrant colors from beets, turmeric, and plant extracts instead of artificial dyes.
Should You Indulge in Conventional Candy Corn?
When it comes to regular candy corn, the small serving size means the gelatin content is minor. Some vegetarians may indulge occasionally or restrict it to Halloween.
Religious groups like Muslims and Jews that strictly avoid pork will want to steer clear. But for other vegetarians, it could be an acceptable occasional treat in moderation.
Non-vegetarians that simply wish to reduce meat consumption may also continue enjoying candy corn sparingly as the gelatin quantity is low.
What Really Matters is Informed Choice
In the end, whether or not to eat candy corn comes down to personal choice. Regardless of your reasons for avoiding pork, being informed about gelatin content is vital.
Ingredient transparency allows customers to make purchasing decisions that align with their ethics and dietary preferences.
While candy corn may contain questionable ingredients, its ritualistic role on Halloween likely secures its survival. Just look for alternative versions or savor small servings to celebrate the season.
Because when it comes to candy corn, what matters most is the spirit of fun – and keeping those ingredient labels in clear sight!
Is Candy Corn Vegan?
Different companies use different combinations of ingredients, so there is no one universal answer. Many mainstream brands use gelatin, which may be animal-derived, in their candy corn. Cooking Light was able to confirm from Brach’s, the most well-known brand of candy corn, that their gelatin is made from tendons and bones. Gels that aren’t made from animals can be found, but if it’s not said, you might want to assume they are. And gelatin isn’t the only thing making candy corn not vegan. Companies sometimes use or glazes that have been processed using animal-derived ingredients or containing insect secretions. Beeswax is used to cover the outside of Jelly Belly’s candy corn kernels, even though the company says it doesn’t use any of those ingredients in their candy corn or other products. Don’t think that brands that say they are “natural” or “healthier” will be safe for vegans. Many of the packages we looked at that had those labels on them were sweetened with honey, which many vegans don’t eat.
Do Gummy Bears have pork in them?
FAQ
Is there pork gelatin in candy corn?
What candy contains pork gelatin?
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