Does Hartley’s Jelly Contain Pork Gelatin?

Hartley’s jelly is a popular fruit-flavored gelatin dessert enjoyed by many across the UK. Their ready-to-eat jelly pots and “make at home” jelly cubes and crystals come in a wide array of fruity flavors. But with concerns over ingredients like pork gelatin some jelly lovers wonder – does Hartley’s jelly contain pork?

The short answer is it depends on the product. Hartley’s ready-made jelly pots are pork-free but some of their jelly cubes and crystals do contain pork gelatin. Read on for a detailed breakdown of which Hartley’s jelly products are vegetarian vegan or contain pork gelatin.

An Overview of Hartley’s Jelly Products

Hartley’s sells a variety of fruit-flavored jelly products including

• Ready to Eat Jelly Pots – These chilled, single-serve jelly pots come in flavors like raspberry, strawberry, and key lime. They are ready to enjoy straight from the fridge.

• Jelly Cubes – These cubed gelatins are designed to be dissolved in hot water to create a homemade jelly. Flavors include strawberry, raspberry, pineapple, and more.

• Crystal Jellies – Hartley’s sells classic crystal jelly mixes in regular and sugar-free varieties. They are dissolved in hot water to set jelly.

• Glitter Jelly – This fun jelly contains edible glitter and intense fruit flavors like cherry and watermelon.

• Topping Sauces – Fruit-flavored topping sauces like raspberry and lemon to enhance desserts.

Do Hartley’s Ready-Made Jelly Pots Contain Pork?

Hartley’s pre-made chilled jelly pots, like their 10 calorie line, do not contain pork gelatin.

According to their FAQs, they use vegetarian gelling agents like pectin, xanthan and guar gum to set their ready-to-eat jellies. This makes these convenient single-serve jellies suitable for both vegetarian and vegan lifestyles.

Flavors of Hartley’s ready-made jelly pots that are vegetarian and pork-free include:

• Blackcurrant
• Key Lime Pie
• Orange
• Lemon & Lime
• Raspberry
• Strawberry
• Summer Fruits

So when enjoying Hartley’s chilled jelly pots, consumers can be assured these snacks do not contain pork gelatin or other animal products.

Do Hartley’s Jelly Crystals & Cubes Contain Pork?

While their ready-to-eat jelly pots are pork-free, Hartley’s old-fashioned jelly cubes and crystals are a different story.

Hartley’s jelly cubes, designed to be dissolved in hot water to create a homemade jelly, do contain pork gelatin.

According to their FAQ, these cubes rely on gelatin, an animal-based gelling agent, to achieve the right texture and set. Since gelatin is derived from collagen in animal bones and skin, Hartley’s jelly cubes are not suitable for vegetarian, kosher, or halal diets.

Flavors of Hartley’s jelly cubes that contain pork gelatin include:

• Strawberry
• Raspberry
• Pineapple
• Orange
• Lime
• Blackcurrant

Consumers who wish to avoid pork will need to bypass these classic jelly cube products.

What About Hartley’s Crystal & Sugar-Free Jelly Mix?

Like their cubes, Hartley’s old-fashioned crystal jelly mixes also contain pork gelatin. Both their regular and sugar-free crystal jelly mixes rely on gelatin to set properly when dissolved in hot water.

So vegetarians, as well as those avoiding pork for religious or dietary reasons, will want to avoid these “make at home” crystal jelly mixes and opt for Hartley’s pre-made jelly pots instead.

Is Hartley’s Glitter Jelly Suitable for Vegetarians?

Hartley’s Glitter Jelly, a fun jelly product with edible glitter, is one Hartley’s jelly that is vegetarian-friendly.

According to their FAQ, Hartley’s Glitter Jelly is made using gelling agents that are suitable for vegetarian diets. So despite its old-fashioned crystals format, this sparkly jelly dessert is pork-free.

Flavors of Hartley’s Glitter Jelly that are suitable for vegetarians include:

• Cherry
• Orange
• Watermelon
• Apple & Blackcurrant

Do note however that Hartley’s cannot guarantee their glitter jelly production is free from cross-contamination. So vegans and those with severe allergies should contact the company to learn more.

Why Do Some Jellies Contain Pork Gelatin?

Pork gelatin is a common ingredient in jelly cubes, gelatin desserts, and other products due to its unique gelling properties. Here’s an overview of why pork gelatin is useful:

• Derived from collagen in pork skins, bones, and connective tissue.

• Has strong gelling ability and can create firm textures.

• Sets at higher temperatures than plant-based gelling agents.

• Provides a smooth, creamy mouthfeel when dissolved.

• Helps achieve clarity in gelatin desserts vs cloudiness.

• Offers more neutral flavor than some plant-based alternatives.

• Is lower cost than some vegetable-based stabilizers.

These useful qualities make pork gelatin a go-to choice for traditional jelly recipes. But for those avoiding animal products, Hartley’s ready-made jelly pots provide a delicious pork-free alternative.

Alternatives to Pork Gelatin in Jelly Products

There are a few options for creating jellies without pork gelatin:

• Pectin – Derived from fruits, pectin is used in jams and jellies. It can create gels but may cloud in high-acid jellies.

• Agar Agar – This vegan gelling agent derived from red algae works well but needs high concentrations to set firmly.

• Carrageenan – Sourced from red seaweed, it can replace gelatin but works better alongside other stabilizers.

• Xanthan & Guar Gums – These vegetable-based stabilizers are often used together to mimic gelatin.

• Locust Bean Gum – Used in dairy products, this bean gum can also help create gels.

• Gelatin Alternatives – Products like Vegan Jel mimic gelatin using vegetable gums.

With smart formulation using these ingredients, jelly desserts can achieve a similar texture and enjoyment factor as traditional gelatin-based jelly cubes.

The Verdict on Hartley’s Jelly and Pork Gelatin

When it comes to Hartley’s jelly, pork gelatin is present in some but not all of their products. Their convenient ready-to-eat jelly pots are 100% vegetarian friendly and do not contain pork gelatin or other animal products. However, many of Hartley’s old-fashioned “make at home” jelly cubes and crystals do contain pork-derived gelatin as a setting agent.

Thankfully, with their pre-made pots, Hartley’s offers a delicious range of fruit-flavored jellies made using vegetarian gelling agents. So if you love their raspberry or strawberry jelly, you can enjoy those flavors pork-free by opting for the chilled pot format.

But if you prefer the nostalgic fun of DIY jellies, look for alternative brands that use plant-based setting agents. With the right ingredients, you can still get that perfect wobbly texture in homemade jelly desserts without the use of pork products.

Summary Table of Hartley’s Jelly and Pork Gelatin

Here is a quick summary of which Hartley’s jelly products are vegetarian friendly vs those that contain pork gelatin:

*Hartley’s cannot guarantee against cross-contamination

So when enjoying Hartley’s, look for their convenient ready-to-eat pots to avoid pork products. Or get creative with plant-based setting agents to craft your own custom fruit jelly creations!