What is Percy Pig made out of? The complete ingredient breakdown

January 8, 2026 •

2 min read

First launched in 1992, the beloved Percy Pig sweets have undergone a number of recipe changes over the decades, most notably becoming completely vegan in 2022. So, what is Percy Pig made out of in its current form?

Quick Summary

Percy Pig sweets are now a vegan treat, made with fruit juice, pectin, and modified starches instead of the original pork gelatin. The recipe uses natural flavourings, colours, and vegetable proteins.

Key Points

Now Vegan: Percy Pig sweets have been completely vegan since 2022, no longer containing gelatin or beeswax.
Pectin is the Gelling Agent: The characteristic chewy texture now comes from pectin, a plant-based gelling agent derived from fruit.
No Artificial Colours or Flavours: The flavour and colour are sourced from real fruit juice concentrates and natural plant extracts.
Manufacturer is Katjes: The sweets are manufactured in Germany by Katjes under a license from Marks & Spencer.
Recipe has Evolved: The recipe has gone through several phases, from original gelatin, to vegetarian, to the current vegan formulation.
Potential for Allergens: While prepared to a vegan recipe, manufacturing processes mean the sweets may not be suitable for those with milk allergies.

The evolution of Percy Pig's ingredients

The history of Percy Pig's recipe is a journey of innovation and response to changing consumer demands. When the iconic sweets were first introduced in 1992, they were made with pork gelatin, a standard ingredient for giving gummy sweets their characteristic chewiness. For decades, this remained the recipe, but Marks & Spencer began a process of transformation in the 2010s to make the product more inclusive for different dietary needs.

The switch to vegetarian and then vegan

Starting in 2011, M&S introduced a vegetarian option, followed by removing gelatin from standard Percy Pig products in 2019, using pectin instead. By 2022, the full range became vegan-friendly by removing beeswax.

The current vegan ingredient list

Today, Percy Pig sweets are plant-based. Key ingredients include Glucose Syrup, Sugar, Modified Potato Starch, Dextrose, Modified Tapioca Starch, Fruit Juice from Concentrates (apple, mandarin, elderberry), Acids, Potato Protein, Flavourings, Sunflower Oil, Gelling Agent: Pectin, Fruit Concentrates (black carrot, blueberry for colour), Glazing Agent: Carnauba Wax, and Caramelised Sugar Syrup.

How key ingredients contribute to the final product

Pectin: Replaces gelatin as the gelling agent.
Modified Starches: Help create the gummy texture.
Fruit Juice Concentrates: Provide flavour and colour.
Potato Protein: Contributes to texture.
Carnauba Wax: Provides a shiny finish.

Original (Gelatin) vs. Modern (Vegan) Percy Pig Ingredients


Ingredient Category	Original (Pre-2019)	Modern (Post-2022)
Gelling Agent	Pork Gelatin	Pectin (from fruit)
Chewiness Factor	Gelatin, providing a classic, very bouncy gummy texture.	Potato protein and modified starches.
Glazing Agent	Beeswax	Carnauba Wax
Animal Products	Contains pork gelatin and beeswax.	Contains no animal products whatsoever.
Dietary Suitability	Not suitable for vegetarians, vegans, or halal diets.	Suitable for vegetarians and vegans. Halal status is debated due to the pig shape, but ingredients are permissible.

Behind the iconic sweet

Percy Pig sweets are made in Germany by Katjes under license from M&S. They feature fruity flavours like raspberry, grape, and elderberry. The recipe change to vegan has been discussed by fans regarding taste, but M&S states the flavour is maintained.

Conclusion

Percy Pig sweets have transitioned from gelatin-based to fully vegan, using fruit juice, pectin, and starches. This change reflects modern dietary trends. Today, what is Percy Pig made out of is a plant-based mix aiming for the same flavour and texture more ethically.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, all Percy Pig sweets have been suitable for vegans since May 2022, when beeswax was removed from the recipe to make them fully plant-based.

Pectin, a gelling agent derived from fruit, was used to replace gelatin in Percy Pig sweets starting in 2019.

The chewy texture of modern Percy Pig sweets comes from a combination of pectin, modified potato and tapioca starches, and potato protein.

While the ingredients are halal-friendly (no pork gelatin), some debate exists within Islamic communities on whether eating sweets in the shape of a pig is permissible. For many, it's a matter of personal choice, but the ingredients themselves are not haram.

No, the recipe has changed multiple times. Originally containing pork gelatin, the sweets transitioned to a vegetarian recipe (with beeswax) in 2011, became completely gelatin-free in 2019, and fully vegan in 2022.

No, Percy Pigs contain no artificial colours or flavourings. Their vibrant colours and fruity tastes come from fruit juice concentrates and natural fruit and vegetable extracts.

Marks & Spencer changed the recipe to remove animal-derived products, namely pork gelatin and later beeswax, to make them suitable for a wider range of customers, including vegetarians and vegans.