Does Haribo use gelatin in its popular gummy sweets?

October 17, 2025 •

3 min read

While the chewy texture is beloved by many, it's a fact that most traditional Haribo products, including the iconic Goldbears, contain gelatin. This animal-derived ingredient is a key consideration for individuals on a specific nutrition diet, such as vegetarians, vegans, or those adhering to religious dietary restrictions.

Quick Summary

Most standard Haribo gummy candies contain gelatin derived from animal sources, typically pork skin in European and American products. The company offers vegetarian and halal-certified alternatives in certain markets, and these products use plant-based ingredients or halal beef gelatin. Ingredient transparency is vital for consumers with specific dietary needs.

Key Points

Standard Haribo contains animal gelatin: Most traditional Haribo products, including Goldbears sold in the US and Europe, contain gelatin derived from animal by-products like pork.
Ingredients vary by region: Due to varying consumer preferences and dietary laws, Haribo's ingredients change depending on the country of production.
Halal options are available: Haribo manufactures halal-certified products, primarily in its Turkish factories, using beef gelatin.
Vegan and vegetarian alternatives exist: The company offers some plant-based gummy candies in select markets, using ingredients like pectin, starch, and carnauba wax instead of animal gelatin and beeswax.
Always check the label: To confirm if a specific product meets your dietary needs, you must read the ingredient label, as packaging can be misleading across different regions.
Beeswax is often included: Many non-vegan and non-vegetarian Haribo products also contain beeswax as a glazing agent, which is another animal-derived ingredient.
Kosher options are also offered: Through a partnership, Haribo sells a certified kosher line of products that use fish gelatin.

What is Gelatin and Why is it in Haribo?

Gelatin is a protein obtained by boiling the skin, tendons, ligaments, and bones of animals with water, commonly sourced from pigs or cows. In confectionery like gummy sweets, it is the crucial ingredient responsible for the chewy, elastic texture that Haribo products are famous for. For many people, this is a non-issue, but for those following a vegetarian, vegan, or certain religious diets (such as halal or kosher), it is a significant factor in their purchasing decisions.

Haribo's Standard vs. Regional and Special Products

The ingredient list for Haribo products can vary significantly depending on the manufacturing location and target market. This is a critical point for consumers to understand. For instance, a bag of Haribo Goldbears bought in the United States or Germany will typically contain pork gelatin. However, a bag of Haribo products produced in Turkey and sold in a region with a large Muslim population is certified halal, meaning it contains beef gelatin from properly slaughtered cattle.

This regional variation means that checking the packaging for ingredient information and manufacturing location is the most reliable method for confirming a product's suitability for a specific diet. The company, recognizing different consumer needs, has also expanded its offerings to include vegetarian and vegan options in various markets.

Halal and Kosher Haribo Options

Halal: Haribo produces certified halal candies in its Turkish factories, which are exported to other countries to meet the demand for these products. These items are made with beef gelatin and carry the appropriate halal certification logo on the packaging.
Kosher: Haribo offers a specific kosher line of products through its partner, Paskesz, which are typically made in Austria and use kosher-certified fish gelatin. These products are also clearly marked with certification on the packaging.

Vegetarian and Vegan Haribo Alternatives

For those who abstain from all animal by-products, including gelatin and beeswax, the selection is more limited but growing. Some Haribo products are explicitly labeled as "veggie" or vegan in certain countries, replacing gelatin with plant-based alternatives.

Vegan Ingredients: Instead of gelatin, vegan Haribo uses plant-based thickeners and gelling agents. These can include:
- Pectin: A natural fruit extract used to thicken jams and jellies.
- Carrageenan: Extracted from red seaweed.
- Corn Starch: A common thickening agent.
- Carnauba Wax: An alternative to beeswax for glazing, sourced from a Brazilian palm tree.
Popular Vegan Haribo Options (by region):
- Sour S'ghetti: Often available as a vegan option, but always check the ingredients as formulations can differ.
- Rainbow Sour: Found in some markets, these candies often use starch and carnauba wax instead of gelatin and beeswax.

Comparison of Haribo Ingredients by Diet


Feature	Standard Haribo (e.g., US Goldbears)	Halal Haribo (e.g., from Turkey)	Vegan Haribo (e.g., Rainbow Sour)
Gelatin Source	Pork gelatin	Halal beef gelatin	Plant-based (e.g., starch, carrageenan)
Chewiness	Classic firm, chewy texture	Very similar chewy texture	Slightly different, often softer texture
Glazing Agents	Beeswax, carnauba wax	Beeswax, carnauba wax	Carnauba wax only
Availability	Widely available globally	Specific markets with halal demand	Limited availability in specific regions

Reading Labels and Making Informed Choices

Due to the regional variations in ingredients, relying solely on a product's name or color can be misleading. A consumer committed to a specific nutrition diet should always check the ingredient label on the back of the packaging. Be on the lookout for ingredients like gelatin, beeswax, and carmine (a red food dye derived from insects) which are typically not vegan. This practice is especially important for those traveling, as the same product name can have different formulations in different countries.

Conclusion

In short, the answer to "Does Haribo use gelatin?" is yes, in most of its standard products worldwide, and often specifically from pork. However, the company has made efforts to produce alternatives for various dietary needs. Consumers must exercise due diligence by reading labels and understanding regional differences to ensure they select a product that aligns with their dietary restrictions. By being informed, individuals can enjoy a sweet treat that fits within their personal nutrition diet and ethical considerations, or find one of the many available alternatives.

Here is a guide from Plant Based News on vegan Haribo options for further research.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, while most standard Haribo gummy bears, such as the Goldbears sold in the US and Germany, do contain gelatin derived from pork, the company produces alternatives. Some are made with halal-certified beef gelatin, and vegan options use plant-based substitutes.

Haribo offers several products suitable for vegetarians, typically marked as 'veggie' in certain markets. These products are made without animal gelatin but may still contain other animal-derived ingredients like beeswax. It is best to check the specific product label.

To identify a halal Haribo product, look for the halal certification mark on the packaging. Many halal versions are produced in Haribo's Turkish factories and are labeled accordingly.

Yes, some Haribo products are vegan, though they may have limited availability depending on your location. These candies use plant-based gelling agents like starch and pectin instead of gelatin and carnauba wax instead of beeswax.

The gelatin used in Haribo products varies by region. Standard products in the US and Germany typically use pork gelatin, while halal versions use beef gelatin.

Yes, vegan gummies often have a slightly different texture than their gelatin-based counterparts. They tend to be softer and less chewy, as the bouncy, firm texture is a characteristic of gelatin.

Haribo uses different ingredients in different countries to accommodate regional consumer preferences, including specific flavor profiles, as well as various dietary laws, such as halal and kosher requirements.