Are Aldi Fruit Pastilles vegan?

November 26, 2025 •

3 min read

The UK vegan population quadrupled between 2014 and 2019, prompting many brands to adapt their products. This market shift raises the crucial question for sweet-lovers: are Aldi Fruit Pastilles vegan, and can they be enjoyed as part of a plant-based diet?

Quick Summary

Aldi's Dominion Fruit Pastilles are confirmed as vegan-friendly, replacing traditional gelatin with plant-based starches for a chewy texture. This makes them a safe choice for those avoiding animal products.

Key Points

Vegan Confirmation: Aldi's own-brand Dominion Fruit Pastilles are confirmed to be vegan-friendly and suitable for a plant-based diet.
Gelatin-Free: Unlike many traditional sweets, these pastilles do not contain animal-derived gelatin; their chewy texture comes from plant-based starches.
Key Ingredients: The main gelling agents are plant-based starches, and colours are derived from fruit and plant concentrates like black carrot and turmeric.
Allergen Warning: While vegan, the product may contain milk due to cross-contamination risks during manufacturing, so those with allergies should check the label.
Market Trend: Aldi's offering is part of a broader industry shift, with other brands like Rowntree's also offering vegan-friendly fruit pastilles.
Checking for Vegans: It is always wise to check the ingredients label on the packaging to ensure the latest recipe remains vegan-friendly, as formulations can change over time.

Yes, Aldi Fruit Pastilles are vegan

Yes, Aldi's own-brand Fruit Pastilles, typically sold under the Dominion label, are suitable for vegans. This is great news for those with a sweet tooth who follow a plant-based diet. The product has been formulated without any animal-derived ingredients, a key factor in confirming its vegan-friendly status. The chewy texture, which is a hallmark of fruit pastilles, is achieved using plant-based alternatives rather than the animal-derived gelatin found in many traditional sweets.

Key ingredients in Aldi's vegan Fruit Pastilles

To understand why Aldi's version is vegan, it is helpful to look at the ingredients list. A close examination reveals the absence of common non-vegan components like gelatin. The primary gelling agents and ingredients are plant-based.

Key vegan ingredients include:

Sugar: Sourced from plants, not typically filtered with bone char in this formulation.
Glucose Syrup: A plant-based sweetener derived from starch.
Maize Starch: A plant-based starch used as a thickening and gelling agent.
Modified Potato Starch: Another plant-based starch that helps create the chewy consistency.
Acids: Citric Acid and Lactic Acid (often plant-derived in vegan products) for flavour.
Fruit and Plant Extracts: Used for colouring and flavouring, such as black carrot and turmeric concentrates.
Flavourings: Plant-based flavourings provide the fruity taste.

Comparison with other brands

While Aldi has embraced a vegan-friendly recipe, it's useful to compare their product with other fruit pastilles on the market. The most notable comparison is with Rowntree's, the original creators of the sweet.

Aldi vs. Rowntree's vs. Traditional Pastilles


Feature	Aldi Dominion Fruit Pastilles	Rowntree's Fruit Pastilles	Traditional/Generic Fruit Pastilles
Vegan Status	Yes, confirmed vegan-friendly.	Yes, reformulated to be vegan-friendly in 2020.	Often no, may contain animal-derived gelatin.
Gelling Agent	Plant-based starches (maize, potato).	Plant-based starches and modified starches.	Animal-derived gelatin.
Chewiness	Notably chewy, but the texture is different from gelatine-based sweets.	Chewy and fruity, designed to replicate the original recipe.	Classic, traditional chewiness from gelatin.
Colours	No artificial colours.	No artificial colours.	Can contain artificial colours, depending on the manufacturer.

The importance of checking the label

It is always recommended to check the product label for the most up-to-date information, as recipes can change. When checking, look for specific phrases or symbols indicating vegan suitability. The Open Food Facts analysis confirms that Aldi's Fruit Pastilles are free of non-vegan ingredients. However, some products, including vegan ones, may carry an 'allergy advice' warning for potential cross-contamination with milk. This is not an issue for a vegan diet but is important for those with specific allergies.

Vegan-friendly alternatives and how to find them

For vegans, the availability of satisfying sweets has expanded significantly. Besides Aldi's own brand, here are some alternatives:

Rowntree's Fruit Pastilles: As mentioned, the main Rowntree's brand is now vegan-friendly.
Jelly Tots: Another Rowntree's product, Jelly Tots, is also confirmed vegan.
Free-From Aisles: Many supermarkets now feature dedicated 'free-from' or vegan sections with a range of sweets that are suitable.
Independent Sweet Shops: Online and specialist vegan sweet shops offer a wide variety of pastilles, gummies, and other treats made with plant-based ingredients.

When buying any sweet, especially if you are concerned about ingredients, follow these steps:

Read the ingredient list: Look for red flags like 'gelatin', 'beeswax', or 'carmine' (a red dye from insects).
Check for certification: Look for vegan certification logos from organisations like The Vegan Society.
Use a scanner app: Apps like Open Food Facts can help scan product barcodes to check their ingredient analysis.
Confirm cross-contamination warnings: If you have allergies, check the 'may contain' section for potential contamination warnings, particularly regarding milk.

Conclusion: A sweet treat for all

Aldi Fruit Pastilles are indeed a delicious and chewy treat that is completely suitable for a vegan diet. Their use of plant-based starches instead of gelatin aligns with the growing trend towards more inclusive confectionery options. For those following a vegan lifestyle, they provide a reliable and affordable option to satisfy a craving for fruity sweets. The decision by both Aldi and brands like Rowntree's to make their popular pastilles vegan-friendly showcases a positive and significant step towards wider plant-based food accessibility. Always remember to check the packaging for the latest ingredient information to ensure continued suitability, but for now, enjoy your cruelty-free treat.

For more information on the ingredients used in Aldi's Dominion Fruit Pastilles, you can consult resources like the Open Food Facts website.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, Aldi's own-brand 'Dominion' Fruit Pastilles are suitable for vegans, as they contain no animal-derived ingredients like gelatin.

No, Aldi Fruit Pastilles do not contain gelatin. Their chewy texture is achieved using plant-based starches such as maize and modified potato starch instead.

The pastilles use a combination of sugar, glucose syrup, maize starch, modified potato starch, and fruit and plant concentrates for flavour and colour, all of which are plant-derived.

Yes, Rowntree's also reformulated their Fruit Pastilles to be vegan-friendly in 2020, making them another suitable option available in most supermarkets.

Yes, the product packaging may include an 'allergy advice' warning stating that it 'may contain milk' due to the manufacturing environment. This is for allergy purposes and does not mean milk is an ingredient.

For the most accurate and up-to-date ingredient list, you should always check the product packaging itself. Online databases like Open Food Facts can also provide ingredient analysis.

The primary difference lies in the gelling agent. Non-vegan pastilles traditionally use animal-derived gelatin, while vegan versions, like Aldi's, use plant-based alternatives such as starches.

Yes, Aldi has a growing range of vegan products across their stores, often labelled as such. Checking the packaging or their website can help you find other suitable confectionery.