What are the ingredients in refresher chews?

January 10, 2026 •

3 min read

Launched in 1955, the iconic Swizzels Refresher chew quickly became a British sweet shop staple, known for its tangy chew and fizzy sherbet center. But what are the ingredients in Refresher chews that create this unique and beloved experience?

Quick Summary

An iconic confection, the Refresher chew is made primarily from glucose syrup, sugar, and vegetable oils, balanced with citric acid for its signature zing. Additives like anti-caking agents, flavourings, and colours complete the recipe, though specific ingredients can vary between product versions and manufacturers.

Key Points

Core Ingredients: Refresher chews are primarily made from glucose syrup, sugar, and palm/palm kernel vegetable oils, which provide sweetness and texture.
Fizzy Factor: The characteristic fizzy sherbet center is created using citric acid and often sodium bicarbonate.
Vegan Formulation: Modern Refresher chew bars from Swizzels are now vegan-friendly, thanks to a reformulated recipe that removes gelatin.
Check Labels: Different Refreshers products, like the fizzy roll sweets or older chews, can contain different ingredients, including wheat gluten or gelatin.
Allergen Risk: Due to manufacturing processes, cross-contamination with common allergens like nuts, dairy, or gluten is possible, so checking packaging is vital for safety.
Additives: The formulation includes emulsifiers, anti-caking agents, and colours to perfect the sweet's texture and appearance.

The Basic Recipe: Core Ingredients

At its heart, the classic Refresher chew is a straightforward confectionery composed of a handful of key components. The primary ingredient is glucose syrup, a sugary substance that provides the chewy texture and sweetness. This is combined with sugar to increase the sweetness and structure of the chew. The chew's smooth consistency also relies on vegetable oil, often derived from palm and palm kernel.

To create the iconic sharp, tangy flavour, citric acid acts as an acidity regulator. The characteristic fizzing sensation is often a result of sodium bicarbonate or a combination of acids and bases reacting with saliva. A modified starch is included to help bind the ingredients and contribute to the texture.

The Functional Additives

Beyond the core building blocks, a number of food additives are used to perfect the sweet's form, colour, and longevity. These include:

Anti-Caking Agents: Ingredients such as stearic acid, magnesium carbonate, and magnesium stearate are used to prevent the chews from clumping together and to maintain their shape.
Emulsifiers: An emulsifier like glycerol mono stearate is used to ensure a consistent, smooth mixture of the vegetable oils and water-based ingredients.
Flavourings: Specific flavourings are added to give the chews their distinct taste, with the original variety being lemon.
Colourings: To give the chew its bright, signature hue, colours such as lutein are included in the recipe.
Lysed Soya Protein: This is used in some versions and is a potential allergen.

Important Product Variations

Not all products branded as 'Refreshers' are identical. Ingredients can vary significantly between the chewy bars and the smaller, hard-pressed fizzy sweets, with some older variations also differing from current vegan-friendly versions. This is crucial for consumers with specific dietary needs to be aware of.

The Vegan Question: A Closer Look

For years, some Refreshers products contained animal-derived ingredients like gelatin, making them unsuitable for vegetarians and vegans. However, manufacturer Swizzels Matlow revised the formulation for many of their chews, including the classic Refresher bar, to remove gelatin. This makes many modern Refreshers chew bars vegan-friendly. However, it is essential to check the specific product's ingredient list, as some other products or older versions might still contain gelatin or other animal products.

Refresher Chew Bars vs. Fizzy Sweets: Ingredient Comparison


Ingredient	Refresher Chew Bars (Vegan-Friendly)	Fizzy Roll Sweets (Non-Vegan)
Main Sweetener	Glucose Syrup, Sugar	Sugar, Maltose Syrup
Fat Source	Vegetable Oil (Palm, Palm Kernel)	Vegetable Fat (Palm, Coconut Fat)
Acidity Regulator	Citric Acid	Malic Acid, Sodium Bicarbonate
Gelling Agent	Modified Starch (No Gelatin)	Stabiliser (E470b), Maltodextrin
Allergens	Lysed Soya Protein	WHEAT, GLUTEN
Vegan Status	Yes	No (contains animal derivatives)

Potential Allergens and Contamination

Consumers with allergies should exercise caution. While many Refresher products are now vegan and gluten-free, manufacturing facilities often handle multiple products. For example, the Swizzels manufacturing process means some products may contain traces of nuts, peanuts, dairy, or gluten. It is always best to read the product label for the most accurate and up-to-date allergen information.

Conclusion: A Blend of Simple and Scientific

The ingredients in Refresher chews are a carefully curated combination of simple sugars and vegetable fats, enhanced by food science. This mix creates the chew's distinct texture and tangy, fizzy flavour. While the core recipe is consistent, variations in the brand's product lines mean that vegan-friendly options now exist alongside other varieties. For those with dietary restrictions, scrutinising the label is the best way to ensure the sweet meets their needs. The iconic sweet's longevity is a testament to its successful and enduring recipe. Learn more about Swizzels' history and products here: Swizzels Company History.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, not all Refresher products are vegan. While modern Refresher chew bars from Swizzels have been reformulated to be vegan-friendly by removing gelatin, other products like the fizzy roll sweets may contain non-vegan ingredients. Always check the packaging for the most accurate dietary information.

The fizzy centre of Refresher chews is created by a combination of an acid, typically citric acid, and a base, such as sodium bicarbonate. This creates a chemical reaction when dissolved by saliva, producing the signature fizz.

Many modern Refresher chew bars are gluten-free, however, other variations like the fizzy roll sweets contain wheat and gluten. Additionally, cross-contamination can occur during manufacturing, so those with Celiac disease should check the product label for specific warnings.

For those with severe nut allergies, caution is advised. While nuts are not a stated ingredient in many Refresher chews, the manufacturing facility may also process products containing nuts, posing a risk of cross-contamination. Check the label for specific allergen warnings.

Lysed soya protein is a processed form of soy protein used as an ingredient in some Refresher chews. It is derived from soybeans and can be an allergen for individuals with soy sensitivities.

The primary differences are ingredients and format. Chew bars typically use glucose syrup and vegetable oil for a chewy texture, while the fizzy roll sweets use sugar and malic acid for a hard, tangy, and fizzier profile. The fizzy sweets also contain gluten, unlike the modern chew bars.

Manufacturer Swizzels Matlow revised the recipe for their chew bars in 2018 to make them suitable for vegans and vegetarians by removing gelatin. The change was driven by consumer demand for more plant-based options.