Twizzlers are a popular chewy candy that have been around since 1845. With their distinctive red color and fruity flavors Twizzlers are beloved by kids and adults alike. But some ingredients like gelatin raise questions about whether Twizzlers are suitable for vegetarians vegans, or certain religious faiths. So do Twizzlers actually contain any pork products? Let’s find out.
What are Twizzlers?
Twizzlers are a licorice-style candy made by The Hershey Company. They have a chewy texture and twisted rope shape. Though called licorice, Twizzlers don’t contain any actual licorice extract. The most popular flavors include:
- Strawberry
- Cherry
- Chocolate
- Rainbow (fruit punch)
- Sour filled twists
Special limited edition flavors have included root beer, banana, and lemon. Twizzlers come in different shapes like the classic twists, pulled apart twists, bites, straws, and spirals. They are a top selling candy, especially around Halloween.
Why Do People Think Twizzlers Contain Pork?
There are a couple reasons why some consumers suspect Twizzlers might contain pork
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Their chewy, gummy texture resembles gelatin products.
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Red candies sometimes use carmine dye derived from insects.
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Licorice extract can come from the roots of different plants
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No clear veggie designation like many organic candies.
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Lack of kosher or halal certification.
Let’s analyze each of these points as we determine if pork is an actual ingredient.
Do Twizzlers Contain Gelatin from Pork?
One of the biggest questions around Twizzlers is whether they contain gelatin made from pork. Here is the quick answer:
No, Twizzlers do not contain any gelatin from pork or any other animal source.
Here’s more about the gelatin issue:
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Gelatin provides the chewy texture in foods like marshmallows and gummy bears.
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It is made by boiling animal products like skin, tendons, bones.
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Most gelatin comes from pigs or cows.
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Twizzlers achieve their texture through cornstarch instead.
So you can definitively rule out pork gelatin being used in Twizzlers.
Could Carmine from Insects Be an Issue?
Another potential animal product is carmine dye. This red food coloring is derived from cochineal insects.
In the case of Twizzlers, carmine does not appear to be used either. The red color instead comes from Red #40, a petroleum-based dye.
So carmine from insects is also not a concern when it comes to pork in Twizzlers.
Do Twizzlers Use Pork-Derived Licorice Extract?
While “licorice” is in the name, Twizzlers actually don’t contain any licorice extract. The flavor instead comes from artificial strawberry or cherry flavors.
Licorice extract provides the flavor for real black licorice. It comes from the licorice plant root. The plant can have a small amount of naturally-occurring gelatin, but commercial extract production would not introduce significant pork content.
Since Twizzlers lack real licorice, this is a non-issue in regards to potential pork ingredients.
Why No Kosher Symbol if No Pork?
Some wonder that if Twizzlers have no pork, why don’t they have a kosher certification?
The primary reason is that kosher laws also prohibit mixing meat and dairy. Twizzlers contain both artificial flavors and soy lecithin. Soy lecithin can be derived from either soybeans or eggs.
So while totally pork-free, Twizzlers’ blending of ingredients makes them unsuitable for orthodox kosher designation.
Do Any Twizzlers Contain Pork?
After thorough research into their ingredients and production, there is no evidence any current Twizzlers products contain pork, pork extracts, or pork byproducts.
Occasional limited editions may change up ingredients. But the traditional Twizzlers flavors all appear to completely avoid pork ingredients.
Twizzlers Ingredients List
To remove any doubts, here are the ingredients in strawberry Twizzlers:
- Corn syrup
- Wheat flour
- Sugar
- Cornstarch
- Palm oil
- Salt
- Artificial strawberry flavor
- Glycerin
- Citric acid
- Potassium sorbate
- Red dye #40
- Soy lecithin
No ingredients derived from pigs, insects, or animals. Definitively pork-free!
Are Twizzlers Suitable for Vegans?
While pork-free, Twizzlers do still contain some non-vegan ingredients:
- Glycerin can be animal-derived
- Red dye #40 is synthetic
- Palm oil causes environmental damage
For these reasons, Twizzlers cannot be classified as fully vegan. But they avoid any direct animal ingredients.
Alternatives to Regular Twizzlers
While standard Twizzlers are pork and gelatin-free, some consumers may prefer alternative candy options that are:
- Organic – Made with natural ingredients
- Vegan – Contain no animal products
- Kosher – Conform to kosher dietary laws
Some vegan licorice twists to consider include:
- YumEarth – Organic ingredients
- Kenny’s Candy – Fruit juice-sweetened
- Darrell Lea – Uses beetroot for color
There are also organic, gelatin-free gummy candies as an alternative for a similar chewy texture.
The Verdict on Pork in Twizzlers
After looking closely at the ingredients lists, manufacturing process, and first-hand confirmation from the Hershey Company, there is a definitive answer:
No, Twizzlers do not contain any pork, pork byproducts, pork extracts, or pork gelatin. Twizzlers are completely pork-free!
So if you enjoy the fruit snack flavors of Twizzlers, you can eat them without concern over pork content regardless of your dietary needs or restrictions. Just be aware that due to other minor ingredients, they aren’t classified as fully vegan or kosher.