Is there gelatine in lollies? A comprehensive guide to chewy candy ingredients

October 22, 2025 •

3 min read

Gelatine is a protein derived from animal collagen, often sourced from the skin, bones, and connective tissues of animals like cows or pigs. This ingredient is a major factor in the chewy texture of many confectionery items, leading many to question, is there gelatine in lollies? For those following vegetarian, vegan, or certain religious diets, this is a crucial piece of information for making informed food choices.

Quick Summary

This guide explains which lollies and sweets commonly contain gelatine, how to identify it on product labels, and what purpose it serves in confectionery. It details the various plant-based alternatives used by manufacturers to achieve similar textures, and provides a list of common gelatine-free brands and products, helping consumers navigate the sweet aisle with confidence.

Key Points

Source of Gelatine: Gelatine is derived from animal collagen, most commonly from the skin, bones, and connective tissues of cows and pigs.
Check the Label: To identify gelatine, look for it explicitly listed in the ingredients or by its food additive code, E441.
Gummy Lollies and Marshmallows: Chewy lollies like gummy bears, jelly beans, and the fluffy texture of marshmallows typically rely on gelatine.
Plant-Based Alternatives: Vegan-friendly alternatives include agar-agar (from seaweed) and pectin (from fruit), which are used to achieve a gelling effect.
Many Options Exist: Numerous brands now offer a wide range of gelatine-free options, making it easier for vegetarians and vegans to find suitable sweets.
Popular Gelatine-Free Brands: Brands like Skittles and Sour Patch Kids are often made without gelatine, but always check the specific product's ingredients.

What Exactly is Gelatine?

Gelatine is a translucent, colourless, and flavourless substance that is extracted from animal collagen. This process involves boiling animal bones, skins, and connective tissues, which breaks down the collagen into gelatine. The resulting substance acts as a gelling, thickening, and stabilising agent in a wide array of food products. It is responsible for the classic 'bounce' and chewy texture found in many popular gummy and jelly sweets.

Why is Gelatine So Common in Lollies?

The confectionery industry uses gelatine for several key reasons:

Texture: It provides the signature soft, chewy, and elastic texture that defines gummies, marshmallows, and jelly beans.
Mouthfeel: It melts at a temperature below human body temperature, which creates a satisfying and smooth mouthfeel.
Stability: Gelatine helps to stabilise the product, ensuring it retains its shape and structure on the shelf.
Foaming: In marshmallows, gelatine helps trap air, giving them their light and fluffy consistency.

Reading the Label: How to Spot Gelatine

For consumers avoiding animal products, checking the ingredient list is essential. Gelatine is usually listed explicitly, but it may also be referenced by its European food additive code, E441. While many brands are transparent, cross-contamination is a potential issue in factories that produce both gelatine and non-gelatine products. Always look for specific 'vegan' or 'gelatine-free' certification to be certain.

Gelatine-free Alternatives

For those seeking alternatives, there are many effective plant-based options that replicate the gelling and thickening properties of gelatine. These ingredients are increasingly popular as more people adopt vegetarian and vegan diets.

Agar-Agar: Derived from seaweed, this powerful gelling agent is a staple in vegan desserts. It creates a firmer gel than gelatine and sets at room temperature.
Pectin: A natural polysaccharide found in fruits, pectin is widely used to create jams, jellies, and fruit-based confectionery.
Carrageenan: Another seaweed-derived ingredient, carrageenan is used to thicken and stabilise foods, creating a softer, more elastic texture than agar-agar.
Modified Starches: Plant-based starches, often from corn or potato, can be used to achieve a chewy consistency.

Comparison of Gelatine and Plant-Based Gelling Agents


Feature	Animal Gelatine	Agar-Agar (Seaweed)	Pectin (Fruit)
Source	Animal collagen (pigs, cows)	Red algae/seaweed	Fruit cell walls (apples, citrus)
Dietary Suitability	Not vegetarian or vegan	Vegan, vegetarian	Vegan, vegetarian
Texture	Soft, elastic, 'bouncy'	Firmer, brittle gel	Softer, less chewy
Melting Point	Melts below body temperature	Heat-stable, gels at room temperature	Varies, typically sets with heat and cools
Common Use	Gummy lollies, marshmallows, jelly	Jellies, puddings, mousses	Jams, fruit jellies, glazed items

Popular Lollies with and without Gelatine

Making mindful choices in the confectionery aisle requires a bit of research. Here is a helpful list of common lolly types and ingredients.

Examples of Lollies Containing Gelatine

Gummy Bears: Brands like Haribo famously use gelatine for their chewy texture.
Jelly Babies: A classic chewy sweet, Jelly Babies rely on gelatine.
Marshmallows: The fluffy texture of standard marshmallows comes from gelatine.
Many Jelly Beans: Some jelly bean varieties, such as those from Jelly Belly, use gelatine in their ingredients.
Certain Fruit Snacks: Many fruit snacks or fruit gummies get their consistency from gelatine.

Examples of Gelatine-Free Lollies

Skittles: These colourful, chewy candies are gelatine-free, using modified food starches.
Sour Patch Kids: The classic sour-then-sweet candy is made without gelatine.
Starburst Chews: Most Starburst fruit chews are gelatine-free.
Hard Candies: As they lack the chewy texture, most hard lollies like Jolly Ranchers are gelatine-free.
Liquorice: Traditional liquorice is typically gelatine-free.

Emerging Trends

The demand for plant-based and cruelty-free options is growing, leading to more manufacturers offering gelatine-free versions of popular sweets. Some brands have even reformulated existing products to remove gelatine, as seen with some M&S Percy Pigs ranges. This market shift is making it easier than ever to find delicious alternatives. For authoritative information on plant-based alternatives, organizations like PETA provide helpful lists and resources on their website (https://www.peta.org/living/food/gelatin-alternatives/).

Conclusion

The question, "is there gelatine in lollies?" has a clear but varied answer: it depends on the product. Gelatine is a common ingredient in many chewy and gummy confections, sourced from animal collagen. However, a growing number of brands are now using plant-based alternatives like agar-agar, pectin, and modified starches to achieve similar textures without animal products. By checking ingredient lists for 'gelatine' or the code 'E441,' and looking for vegan-certified labels, consumers can confidently choose sweets that align with their dietary preferences and ethical beliefs. The increasing availability of gelatine-free options means everyone can enjoy a sweet treat without compromise.

Frequently Asked Questions

Many gummy candies like Haribo gummy bears, most standard marshmallows, and some jelly beans contain animal-derived gelatine to create their characteristic chewy or fluffy texture.

Gelatine acts as a gelling agent, providing the chewy, elastic texture in gummy sweets and the light, foamy structure in marshmallows.

Yes, many brands now produce gelatine-free lollies using plant-based alternatives like agar-agar (from seaweed) or pectin (from fruit). Look for products specifically labeled 'vegan' or 'gelatine-free'.

Some well-known gelatine-free brands and products include Skittles, Sour Patch Kids, Starburst Chews, and most hard candies like Jolly Ranchers.

The most reliable way is to check the ingredient list on the packaging. Gelatine will be listed by name or as the food additive code E441.

Under food labeling laws, manufacturers must declare gelatine if it is present. However, some processing aids that use gelatine might not be listed, so look for explicit vegan or vegetarian claims if you have dietary restrictions.

Yes, you can. You can use plant-based alternatives like agar-agar or pectin in homemade recipes to achieve a similar gelling effect and create your own custom gelatine-free gummy candies.