Do Jolly Rancher Chews Contain Pork Gelatin?

With their burst of fruity flavors and chewy texture, Jolly Rancher Chews have been a popular candy for decades. But for those avoiding animal products an important question arises – do Jolly Rancher Chews contain pork gelatin? Let’s take a close look at the ingredients.

An Overview of Jolly Ranchers

Jolly Rancher candies first emerged in 1949 and were acquired by Hershey in 1996 They are known for their bold fruit flavors and vibrant colors

The product line includes

• Hard candies
• Chews
• Gummies
• Soda
• Lollipops
• Jelly beans

While the original hard candies are vegan, some varieties do contain animal-derived gelatin.

What is Gelatin?

Gelatin is a protein obtained by boiling animal bones, skins, and tissues. It has unique gelling properties to provide a chewy texture. The most common sources are pork and cattle.

Gelatin allows candies like gummies and chews to achieve their characteristic soft, squishy consistency. For vegetarians, vegans, and some religious groups, animal-based gelatin is not considered suitable for consumption.

Do Jolly Rancher Chews Have Gelatin?

After inspecting the ingredients list found on the Hershey’s website, the answer is yes – Jolly Rancher Chews do contain pork gelatin.

Here are the ingredients in Jolly Rancher Chews:

• Sugar
• Corn syrup
• Palm oil
• Malic acid
• Gelatin
• Natural and artificial flavors
• Glycerol monostearate
• Artificial colors (Red 40, Yellow 5, Blue 1, Yellow 6)
• Cornstarch
• Lecithin

The gelatin, sourced from pigs, provides the signature soft, chewy texture.

This makes Jolly Rancher Chews unsuitable for vegetarian, vegan, kosher, and halal diets. Those avoiding pork will need to avoid these candies.

Other Gelatin-Containing Jolly Ranchers

In addition to the regular chews, other Jolly Rancher products that contain pork gelatin include:

• Jelly Hearts
• Fruit Chews
• Nibblers
• Candy Canes (seasonal)

So vegetarians need to carefully read the label for all Jolly Rancher items before consuming.

Are Any Jolly Ranchers Vegan?

While some Jolly Ranchers have gelatin, many are gelatin-free and suitable for vegetarians/vegans. These pork-free options include:

• Hard candies
• Lollipops
• Soda
• Gummies
• Jelly beans
• Bites

So there are plenty of delicious vegan Jolly Ranchers to choose from. Just avoid any products labeled as “chews.”

Why Do Some Candies Contain Gelatin?

Candy makers use gelatin because:

• It provides a unique chewy texture
• It acts as a stabilizer
• It allows candies to retain moisture
• It gives a smooth mouthfeel
• It enables desirable shaping during manufacturing

While plant-based alternatives exist, gelatin remains commonly used, especially in gummies and chewy candies.

Alternatives for Vegetarians

For those avoiding pork gelatin, some options include:

• Pectin – extracted from fruits
• Agar agar – derived from seaweed
• Carrageenan – sourced from seaweed
• Gum arabic – harvested from acacia trees
• Modified starches – various plant starches

However, these do not always mimic gelatin’s exact properties.

The Takeaway

If avoiding pork for religious, ethical, or health reasons, be cautious of Jolly Rancher Chews and other gelatin-containing varieties. Stick to the classic hard candies or gummies for a delicious vegan Jolly Rancher experience. With care in reading labels, vegetarians can still enjoy these flavorful candies.