Jolly Rancher gummies have become an iconic chewy candy beloved by both kids and adults alike. With their burst of fruity flavor and fun squishy texture, Jolly Rancher gummies are a popular choice for candy lovers However, many health-conscious and ethically-minded consumers want to know – do Jolly Rancher gummies contain pork gelatin? Let’s find out.
What is Pork Gelatin?
Gelatin is a protein obtained by boiling the skin, bones, and connective tissues of animals. Pork gelatin specifically comes from pigs. It acts as a gelling agent to give a chewy texture to candies and other foods.
Gelatin is commonly used in gummy candies, marshmallows, Jell-O, and yogurt. For vegetarians, vegans, and some religious groups, pork gelatin is considered off-limits.
Why Do Some Candies Contain Pork Gelatin?
For candy manufacturers. gelatin serves some useful purposes
- It provides the unique chewy, gummy texture that kids love
- It helps bind ingredients together in the candy
- It allows candies to remain shelf-stable for longer
- It gives a shiny appearance to candy
So gelatin, often from pork, is added to many gummy and chewy candies as a key ingredient. However, consumer demand for vegetarian, kosher, and halal products has led some brands to use substitutes like pectin, agar, and carrageenan instead.
Do Jolly Rancher Gummies Have Pork Gelatin?
After careful inspection of the ingredients list, the answer is no – Jolly Rancher gummies do not contain pork gelatin.
Here are the ingredients in Jolly Rancher Gummies as listed on the Hershey’s website:
- Corn syrup
- Sugar
- Apple juice concentrate
- Modified corn starch
- Natural and artificial flavors
- Fractionated coconut oil
- Citric acid
- Malic acid
- Fumaric acid
- Ascorbic acid
- Artificial colors (Red 40, Yellow 5, Yellow 6, Blue 1)
There are no animal-derived ingredients like gelatin or anything pork-based. The gelling agent used is likely the modified corn starch.
So Jolly Rancher gummies get their soft, chewy texture from plant-based sources. This makes them suitable for vegetarians, vegans, as well as those avoiding pork for religious reasons.
But Some Jolly Ranchers Do Contain Pork Gelatin
While the regular Jolly Rancher gummies are gelatin-free, some other Jolly Rancher products do contain pork gelatin, including:
- Jolly Rancher Chews
- Jolly Rancher Jelly Hearts
- Jolly Rancher Fruit Chews
The gelatin gives these types of Jolly Ranchers their characteristic extra-chewy texture. So vegetarians need to read labels carefully and avoid these varieties.
Other Gelatin-Containing Candies To Watch For
While Jolly Rancher gummies are in the clear, many other popular gummy and chewy candies do contain pork gelatin. Examples include:
- Haribo goldbears
- Swedish Fish
- Sour Patch Kids
- Starburst
- Skittles
- Lifesavers gummies
- Airheads Xtremes
- Hi-Chew
- Gummie cola bottles
- Albanese gummies
For those avoiding pork, it’s essential to read the ingredients label when buying these types of candies. Look for gelatin or the term “pork” to identify products containing pork-derived gelatin.
What About Other Jolly Rancher Products?
Beyond gummies, most other Jolly Rancher products are also free of pork gelatin, including:
- Jolly Rancher hard candy
- Jolly Rancher lollipops
- Jolly Rancher soda
- Jolly Rancher candy canes
However, some exceptions are Jolly Rancher Jelly Hearts and Chews. So if avoiding pork, be vigilant in checking labels for all Jolly Rancher items.
In Summary
The bottom line is Jolly Rancher gummies specifically are pork gelatin-free, making them suitable for vegetarian, vegan, kosher, and halal diets. However, many other gummy and chewy candies—including some Jolly Rancher products—do contain pork gelatin. So always check ingredient lists carefully! With a bit of label literacy, candy lovers can enjoy their favorite treats while upholding their ethical or religious dietary standards.
After Seeing How Gummies Are Made, You’ll Probably Never Eat Them Again
FAQ
Is there gelatin in Jolly Rancher gummies?
Is Jolly Rancher gummies halal?
Are Jolly Rancher gummies kosher?
What are the ingredients in Jolly Ranchers?
Does Jolly Rancher gummies contain gelatin?
Almost all vegans are familiar with gelatin as a problematic substance, and unfortunately, it is often present in candy. A lot of the soft candies that Jolly Rancher produces, such as gummies and fruit chews, will contain gelatin. Gelatin is used because it gives candies a distinctive, chewy texture that many people find satisfying.
Are Jolly Rancher gummies vegan?
Since joining the Hershey family in 1996, the company expanded its line of traditional hard candies to include jelly beans, lollipops, and gummies – most of which are vegan-friendly. While a few Jolly Rancher chewy candies do have gelatin (a by-product of the beef and pork industries), most contain no animal products.
Are Jolly Rancher soft candies vegan?
Some of the Jolly Rancher Soft Candies (Bites, Chews, and Gummies) are vegan-friendly, while others are not. The primary non-vegan ingredient in Jolly Rancher’s soft candies is Gelatin or K-Gelatin (Kosher Gelatin). According to Peta, “Gelatin is a protein procured by boiling animal skin, tendons, cartilage, ligaments, and/or bones in water.
Do Jolly Rancher jelly beans contain gelatin?
They also contain additional plant-based ingredients. The Jolly Rancher Jelly Beans are one of the few leading brands of jelly beans that do not contain gelatin, which is known to contain animal products. Ingredients