Candy is one of life’s little pleasures. Who doesn’t love sinking their teeth into sweet chewy gummy bears or letting chocolate melt on their tongue? But if you avoid eating pork for religious, ethical or health reasons, you may be surprised to learn that some of your favorite candies contain an ingredient derived from pigs – gelatin.
Gelatin is a stabilizer and texturizer commonly made from pork skins, bones, and connective tissues. It gives many candies their characteristic chewy or gummy textures. Unfortunately, brands aren’t always transparent that this hidden animal-based ingredient is used. Let’s explore some of the biggest candy culprits containing undisclosed pork-derived gelatin.
Gelatin – The Key Ingredient to Look For
Scan ingredient lists for gelatin, which will be listed there rather than using the vague term “natural flavors” It won’t often say “pork gelatin” explicitly Know that gelatin derived from pigs is the most common source used in major candy brands’ products.
So if a candy contains just “gelatin” with no other animal specified – like fish gelatin – it’s most likely from pork Strict vegetarians and those who avoid pork for religious reasons should especially be on the lookout for this sneaky additive.
Gummy Candies
One of the biggest candy categories containing pork gelatin is gummy candies. The gelatin is what gives gummies their characteristic chewy, stretchy texture. It allows the candies to melt in your mouth instead of being hard like Jolly Ranchers.
Gummy bears, worms, and other shapes are essentially just vehicles for gelatin, along with sugar, corn syrup, flavors, and colors. Major brands like Haribo use pork gelatin in their gummy candies.
Certain gummy fruit snacks and fruit-flavored candies also contain pork gelatin as a stabilizer and shaping agent. Be on the lookout in fuzzy peaches, jelly babies, Sunkist Fruit Gems, Starburst gummies, and more.
Marshmallow Madness
Another category notorious for including pork gelatin is marshmallow candies. The fluffy vanilla marshmallow creme enveloping your chocolate and graham crackers in s’mores? Yep, contains pork-derived gelatin to give it that pillowy texture.
Similarly, marshmallow bits in cereals contain pork gelatin. And solid marshmallow candies like Peeps, Marbits, or Mallomars are all stabilized using pork-sourced gelatin. Watch out for those cute Easter chicks and Christmas tree-shaped mallows!
Miscellaneous Gelatin Offenders
Beyond just gummies and marshmallows, pork gelatin can lurk in other unsuspecting candies:
- Licorice – for chewiness
- Candy corn – helps hold shape
- Gumdrops – enables stretching
- Candy/chocolate with creamy fillings – thickener
- Jelly candies – provides jiggle
Always scan ingredient lists for gelatin if avoiding pork products. You’ll likely have to bypass most mainstream brands and shop specialty “kosher” or vegan candy brands.
Potential Non-Pork Gelatin Sources
The good news is some candies actually specify the gelatin source, making them potentially okay for pork-avoiders:
- Kosher gelatin – Often derived from fish
- Vegetarian gelatin – Made from plants like seaweed
- Beef gelatin – Tendons and bones of cattle
If a candy states one of these gelatin types, it may be safe depending on your restrictions. Still read carefully since “vegetarian” claims can be dubious.
Goes Beyond Just Candy
It’s not only sweets that can harbor hidden pork-based gelatin. Savory products like yogurt, ice cream, and even some cheeses contain gelatin as a thickener and stabilizer. And strangely enough, it’s used in some non-food products like shampoo, hand lotion, and even the coating on medication tablets.
So check all ingredient labels, not just candy, if avoiding pork for any reason. You’ll likely be surprised at how many items contain hard-to-detect animal-derived gelatin.
Consider Gelatin-Free Candy Alternatives
If you love candy but want to avoid pork products, look for vegan or kosher candy brands. These omit gelatin entirely, instead using vegan thickeners like pectin, guar gum, locust bean gum, or seaweed extracts.
Some specific gelatin-free, pork-free candies include:
- Skittles
- Swedish Fish
- Airheads
- Sour Patch Kids
- Smarties
- Jolly Ranchers
- Runts
- Twizzlers
With so many hidden hazards, your candy bowl may require some overhauling. But you can still satisfy your sweet tooth once armed with awareness! Just get in the habit of scanning ingredient lists so you can enjoy all the sugary bliss of candy without the extra hidden pork.
Animal and insect byproducts make up many of the common ingredients in the confectionery industry
There’s something strangely similar about jellybeans, gummy bears, and candy corn that might scare you this trick-or-treating season that has nothing to do with monsters or ghosts.
Animal or insect parts are often found in these and other sweets because they contain things like gelatin, confectioners glaze, or the food coloring E120.
Many people might be surprised to learn what these common ingredients on the backs of candy boxes are made of.
Gelatin comes from animal skin and bone
A very common ingredient in gummies and jellies is gelatin. Its extracted from the collagen in animal skin and bone, and gives gummy bears a delightfully bouncy texture.
Many of the most common candies in Canadian stores are made with gelatin that comes from pork. This means that people who follow a kosher or halal diet can’t eat them, since both the Jewish and Islamic faiths forbid eating pork.
The market is changing, though, because more people want gelling agents made from things other than pork, like beef or fish gelatin. Halal or kosher alternatives are now available for popular gummy candies or treats such as marshmallows.
- Every Saturday at 11:30 a.m., CBC Radio One airs Cost of Living, a new business and economics show. m. (12 p. m. NT) or online anytime at CBC Listen.
The halal market in Canada, which includes both retail and trade, is estimated to be worth around $2 billion a year, according to the World Halal Forum.
What candy has pork in it?
FAQ
What candy does have pork?
Is there pork in sour Skittles?
Does Starburst contain pork?
What candy has no pork gelatin?
What foods contain gelatin derived from pork?
In addition, most sugared cereals, candies, ice cream, and chewing gum also contain gelatin derived from pork. The products are usually foods that use gelatin as a hardener or thickener. Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, this site earns from qualifying purchases. Thank you!
What foods contain pork?
Many foods contain pork. The beloved ham, bacon, sausages, and pork chops are meat that comes from the pig itself. Furthermore, different pig parts can be broken down into elements used in food, such as gelatine or bone char. What Are All Pork Products? 100% pork products include pork steaks and chops, pork ribs, bacon, ham, and sausages.
Is candy cane vegan?
Their Hard Candy, Lollipops, Stix Candy, Candy Canes, Awesome Twosome Bites, and Jelly Beans are all vegan options that contain no pork gelatin or other animal-derived ingredients. The same cannot be said about their Chews or their Jelly Hearts which have gelatin as one of their main ingredients.
How to cook pork belly candy?
Cover the pan with foil, and braise for one more hour. All the flavors will work their way into the pork belly and tenderize the meat. Uncover the pan, and let the batch of pork belly candy smoke for 30 more minutes. This step ensures the sauce is nice and sticky. The best part of the grill master’s job is taste testing.