Decoding Your Sweet Treat: Do Strawberry Pencils Have Gelatine?

November 11, 2025 •

4 min read

Did you know that gelatine is a common protein derived from animal collagen, making many chewy sweets unsuitable for vegetarians and vegans? This raises an important question for those conscious about their diet: do strawberry pencils have gelatine? The answer depends entirely on the brand, so reading the label is crucial for making an informed choice.

Quick Summary

Many popular brands of strawberry pencils contain gelatine, an animal-derived gelling agent. However, several brands and supermarket own-label versions now offer gelatine-free alternatives, using plant-based ingredients instead.

Key Points

Gelatine Source: Gelatine is derived from animal collagen (skin, bones, etc.) and is a common ingredient in many chewy sweets, including some strawberry pencils.
Brand-Specific Ingredients: Whether strawberry pencils have gelatine depends on the brand; some use animal-derived gelatine, while others use plant-based alternatives.
Label Reading is Critical: Consumers with dietary restrictions must read the ingredients list carefully, as the presence of gelatine is not always obvious from the packaging.
Plant-Based Alternatives: Gelatine-free options often use gelling agents like pectin, agar-agar, or modified starches to achieve a similar chewy texture.
Check for Vegetarian Labels: Many supermarket own-brand and specialised confectionery items explicitly state if they are suitable for vegetarians or vegans, making identification easier.
Sweets Are Still High in Sugar: Even gelatine-free sweets are high in sugar and should be consumed in moderation as part of a balanced diet.

The Gelatine Dilemma: Why Ingredient Lists Matter

For many, a sweet is just a sweet. But for those following a vegetarian, vegan, or certain religious diet, the ingredients matter significantly. Gelatine is a translucent, flavourless gelling agent used extensively in the food industry, especially in chewy and gummy candies. It is made from collagen extracted from animal body parts, such as pigskin or cattle bones. Because of its animal origin, gelatine is off-limits for vegetarians and vegans. The specific source can also be a concern for individuals with religious dietary restrictions, such as halal or kosher requirements. The search results show clearly that many brands, like those by Vidal, specifically list 'pork gelatine' in their strawberry pencils. Other brands may simply list 'gelatine' without specifying the animal source. This makes reading the ingredients list essential for any consumer with dietary restrictions.

How to Identify Gelatine-Free Strawberry Pencils

To determine if your strawberry pencils are gelatine-free, you must check the ingredients list. Manufacturers are required to list all ingredients, including gelling agents. Thankfully, the confectionery market has adapted to the growing demand for plant-based and vegetarian products. Many brands, including major supermarket chains, now produce gelatine-free versions of popular sweets. These alternatives often rely on plant-based gelling agents that replicate the chewy texture without using animal products. When shopping for sweets, look for labels that explicitly state 'suitable for vegetarians' or 'gelatine-free.' For a more detailed look, scan the ingredients for these items:

Keywords to Avoid: Look for 'gelatine', 'animal-derived gelatine', 'pork gelatine', or 'beef gelatine'.
Plant-Based Alternatives: Look for plant-based gelling agents such as pectin, agar-agar, modified starch (potato or tapioca), carrageenan, or acacia gum.

A Comparative Look: Gelatine vs. Gelatine-Free Strawberry Pencils

To illustrate the difference, here's a comparison of a traditional gelatine-based strawberry pencil and a modern gelatine-free alternative, based on ingredients commonly found in the market.


Feature	Typical Gelatine-Based Strawberry Pencil (e.g., Vidal)	Typical Gelatine-Free Alternative (e.g., Tesco or Sainsbury's own-brand)
Gelling Agent	Gelatine (often pork or beef)	Modified potato starch, modified tapioca starch, pectin
Dietary Status	Not suitable for vegetarians, vegans, or those with certain religious restrictions.	Suitable for vegetarians (always check for 'vegan' status as other ingredients may vary).
Texture	Characteristically chewy and elastic	Often has a softer, more jelly-like bite
Ingredients	Sugar, glucose-fructose syrup, wheat flour, corn starch, palm fat, humectant (glycerol), acids (citric acid, malic acid), potato starch, gelatine, flavourings, colours (E120)	Sugar, glucose-fructose syrup, wheat flour, glucose syrup, dextrose, modified potato starch, palm oil, citric acid, stabilisers (sodium carboxy methyl cellulose, acacia gum), flavourings, fruit and vegetable concentrates

Finding Gelatine-Free Sweet Treats

Beyond strawberry pencils, the market offers a wide range of gelatine-free sweets. Many classic favourites and new innovations use plant-based gelling agents, making them accessible to a wider audience. Familiar brands and products that are often gelatine-free include:

Skittles: These colourful fruit chews are famously gelatine-free.
Candy Kittens: A popular gourmet brand, all of their products are vegan-friendly and gelatine-free.
Starburst: The standard range of these chewy sweets is suitable for vegetarians.
Jelly Tots: These tiny, chewy sweets are approved by the Vegetarian Society.
Many Haribo Rainbow Strips: A popular fizzy, sour sweet that contains no gelatine.

For those interested in exploring a wider range of options, specialised sweet shops and online retailers often have dedicated gelatine-free or vegan sections. Retailers like Holland & Barrett, for example, curate a selection of vegan-friendly confectionery.

The Nutritional Perspective of Sweet Treats

While choosing gelatine-free sweets is a step towards aligning with specific dietary requirements, it's important to remember the overall nutritional profile. Strawberry pencils, whether they contain gelatine or not, are high in sugar and calories and low in nutritional value. For a healthy diet, these treats should be enjoyed in moderation. They are not a substitute for whole foods, fruits, and vegetables. Informed consumers can balance their dietary choices, making sure their occasional treats align with their ethical and health goals, all while being mindful of their overall sugar intake.

Conclusion

In summary, the presence of gelatine in strawberry pencils is not a given and is entirely brand-dependent. Many traditional and wholesale versions do contain animal-derived gelatine, making them unsuitable for vegetarians and vegans. However, the market has evolved, and numerous alternatives using plant-based gelling agents are readily available. The key takeaway for anyone with dietary restrictions is to always check the ingredients list. Armed with this knowledge, you can confidently navigate the confectionery aisle and find a delicious, gelatine-free version of your favourite sweet treat. For further guidance on vegan and vegetarian-friendly sweets, you can explore curated selections online such as those on the Holland & Barrett website.

Frequently Asked Questions

Gelatine is a gelling agent made from animal collagen, commonly used in confectionery to give sweets like gummies and chewy candies their distinctive elastic, chewy texture and gloss.

No, the ingredients vary significantly by brand. While many traditional and bulk-purchased strawberry pencils contain gelatine, numerous supermarket own-brands and speciality manufacturers offer gelatine-free versions.

You must check the ingredients list on the packaging. Look for the word 'gelatine' and note that gelatine-free versions will often list alternative plant-based gelling agents instead, such as pectin or modified starch.

Common plant-based alternatives to gelatine include pectin (derived from fruits), agar-agar (from seaweed), and modified starches (like potato or tapioca).

E120 is carminic acid, a red food colouring derived from cochineal insects. It is not an animal product in the same way as gelatine, but it is not vegan and is avoided by some vegetarians.

Not necessarily. While gelatine-free sweets cater to specific dietary needs, they often have a similar nutritional profile to their gelatine-containing counterparts, being high in sugar. They should still be consumed in moderation.

You can find a variety of gelatine-free sweets in dedicated health food stores, online vegan and vegetarian retailers, or in the special dietary sections of larger supermarkets.

Yes, some manufacturers produce halal or kosher-certified sweets, including strawberry pencils. These products use gelatine that is compliant with religious requirements or use alternative gelling agents. You should look for the specific certification symbols on the packaging.