What Candy Is Made Out of Pork? A Look at Gelatin

January 12, 2026 •

4 min read

According to the global confectionery market, a substantial portion of chewy candy relies on gelatin for its characteristic texture. While most people assume candy contains only sugar and flavorings, many popular chewy and soft sweets are made using gelatin, a substance primarily sourced from animal collagen. This often includes derivatives from pigs, also known as pork.

Quick Summary

This article explores which candies often contain gelatin, a common ingredient derived from pork, and why it's used. It covers how to identify these products and provides details on vegan and other animal-free substitutes used in the confectionery industry.

Key Points

Gelatin is the primary ingredient: Most candies containing pork derivatives use gelatin for their chewy texture, with a significant amount of commercial gelatin derived from pigskin.
Common candies include gummies and marshmallows: Many popular chewy and fluffy candies, such as gummy bears, gummy worms, and marshmallows, contain gelatin derived from animals.
Dietary restrictions are a key concern: This ingredient makes many conventional candies unsuitable for individuals following vegetarian, vegan, halal, or kosher diets.
Plant-based alternatives are widely available: Vegan substitutes like agar-agar (from seaweed), pectin (from fruit), and carrageenan are increasingly used to create similar chewy textures without animal products.
Reading labels is crucial for avoidance: Consumers seeking to avoid pork must read ingredient labels carefully and look for gelatin, or opt for products explicitly labeled as vegan, halal, or kosher.
Not all gelatin is the same: Gelatin can come from various animals, including cows and fish, but without specific labeling, it's safer to assume a mix or a porcine source.
Manufacturing process involves animal by-products: Gelatin is produced by boiling the bones, skin, and connective tissues of animals, repurposing 'waste' from the meat industry.

Unveiling Gelatin: The Pork Derivative in Sweets

Many consumers are unaware that certain candies, particularly those with a chewy, bouncy, or jiggly texture, contain animal-based ingredients. Gelatin, the key culprit, is a translucent, flavorless substance derived from the collagen found in the bones, connective tissues, and skins of animals. While it can come from bovine (cow) sources or fish, a significant amount of commercially produced gelatin is sourced from pigskin. This means that many popular sweets are not suitable for those following vegetarian, vegan, halal, or kosher diets.

How Gelatin is Produced from Animal By-Products

The process of creating gelatin from animal parts is a long-standing practice in the food industry. It is seen as an efficient way to use up 'waste' materials from the meat production process.

Preparation: Raw materials, such as pigskin and cattle bones, are collected from slaughterhouses.
Pre-treatment: The animal parts are washed and soaked in a vat of either acid (Type A gelatin, often from pigskin) or alkali (Type B gelatin, typically from bones) to prepare the collagen for extraction.
Extraction: The treated materials are boiled in hot water, which breaks down the collagen into gelatin.
Purification and Drying: The resulting solution is filtered, concentrated, and dried, creating the gelatin powder or sheets used in candy manufacturing.

Common Candies That May Contain Pork-Derived Gelatin

Several well-known candy types and dessert products frequently contain gelatin to achieve their signature texture. These include:

Gummy Candies: This is perhaps the most famous category. Items like gummy bears, gummy worms, and other fruit-flavored jelly sweets almost always rely on gelatin for their chewy consistency.
Marshmallows: The light, spongy texture of marshmallows is a direct result of being whipped with gelatin. Brands must be checked, as vegetarian versions are available.
Jellies and Fruit Snacks: Many varieties of jelly snacks and fruit chews are stabilized with gelatin, giving them their firm yet jiggly form.
Some Icing and Frosting: Gelatin can be used as a thickening agent to improve the consistency and texture of certain commercial icings and frostings.
Candy Corn: Though not always immediately obvious, gelatin is an ingredient in traditional candy corn recipes.

Comparing Gelatin-Based vs. Vegan Candies

To help consumers make informed choices, here is a comparison between candies that use traditional, pork-derived gelatin and those that offer animal-free alternatives.


Feature	Traditional Gelatin-Based Candy	Vegan/Plant-Based Candy
Primary Thickening Agent	Animal-derived gelatin (often from pork or beef)	Plant-based alternatives like agar-agar, pectin, or carrageenan
Texture	Distinctly bouncy, chewy, and melts in your mouth	Can vary, sometimes firmer or softer, often with a slightly different chew
Mouthfeel	Smooth and melts at body temperature	May have a slightly different sensory experience, depending on the alternative used
Melting Point	Melts easily at body temperature, which is why it dissolves so well	Agar-agar, for example, has a much higher melting point and will not melt in warm conditions
Dietary Restrictions	Not suitable for vegetarian, vegan, halal, or kosher diets	Suitable for all these dietary needs
Source	By-product of the meat and leather industries	Derived from plants like seaweed or fruit

The Rise of Plant-Based Alternatives

With growing consumer demand for vegetarian and vegan options, the confectionery industry has responded by developing high-quality alternatives to traditional gelatin. These substitutes, derived from plant-based sources, offer similar gelling and thickening properties without the use of animal products.

Agar-Agar: Extracted from red algae, agar-agar is a powerful gelling agent that provides a slightly firmer texture than gelatin. It is often sold as a powder or in flakes.
Pectin: A naturally occurring starch in fruits, pectin is widely used to thicken jams and jellies. It is another excellent plant-based alternative for gelling candies.
Carrageenan: This is another gelling agent derived from edible seaweed, which is frequently used in vegan marshmallows and other soft sweets.
Modified Starches: Various modified food starches can replicate the chewy or soft texture of candies made with gelatin.

By carefully reading ingredient labels, consumers with dietary restrictions can easily identify and choose gelatin-free options. While the mention of "gelatin" alone may not specify its animal source, companies often clarify if it is from a bovine or fish source. Alternatively, seeking products labeled as "vegan" or "halal/kosher certified" is the safest route for those looking to avoid pork derivatives.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the primary candy product that can contain pork derivatives is any chewy or soft confection that lists gelatin as an ingredient. The gelatin is sourced from the collagen of animal by-products, with a large portion coming from pigskin. Awareness and careful label-reading are essential for anyone avoiding pork for ethical, religious, or dietary reasons. The good news is that the market for plant-based and vegan alternatives is robust and growing, offering delicious, cruelty-free alternatives for almost any sweet treat.

A Resource for Ethical Consumption

For those interested in navigating the world of food ingredients, sites like PETA's guide to gelatin can be very helpful. The rise of transparency in food labeling makes it easier than ever to align your snack choices with your values. As the industry continues to evolve, more brands are embracing animal-free alternatives, ensuring a wider variety of ethical treats for everyone.(https://www.peta.org/faq/what-is-gelatin-made-of/)

Navigating Pork in Candy

Check the Label: Always read the ingredients list. Look for the term "gelatin".
Identify Pork Sources: While gelatin can come from other animals, pigskin is a very common source.
Choose Vegan Alternatives: Look for vegan or plant-based versions, which use substitutes like agar-agar or pectin.
Look for Certification: Halal or kosher certified candies are guaranteed to be pork-free.
Understand the Texture: The soft, bouncy, or chewy consistency of many candies is a key indicator of potential gelatin content.

Frequently Asked Questions

Gelatin is a protein derived from the collagen found in the bones, skin, and connective tissues of animals, most commonly cows and pigs.

Many gummy candies (like gummy bears), marshmallows, certain fruit chews, and some types of candy corn often contain gelatin derived from pork. Always check the ingredients list.

The ingredient list will simply say "gelatin." Unless the product is specifically labeled as vegan, kosher, or halal, or the gelatin source is specified (e.g., 'bovine gelatin'), it's wise to assume it could contain pork derivatives.

Common vegetarian or vegan alternatives include agar-agar (derived from seaweed), pectin (from fruit), carrageenan (from red algae), and various modified food starches.

Many hard candies, lollipops, most dark chocolates, and some chewy candies like Swedish Fish and Sour Patch Kids are often gelatin-free. However, it's always best to check the label for each specific product.

Classic Jell-O brand products are made with gelatin derived from animal products, often bovine and/or porcine sources. However, many brands now offer vegan 'jelly' mixes made with plant-based alternatives.

No, candies with a halal or kosher symbol will not contain pork or any of its derivatives. These certifications guarantee that the ingredients, including any gelatin used, comply with specific religious dietary laws that forbid pork consumption.