Do Mott’s Fruit Snacks Contain Pork Gelatin? Examining the Ingredients

Mott’s fruit snacks are a popular lunchbox and snack time treat enjoyed by kids and adults alike. But if you follow a vegetarian or halal diet, you may be wondering – do Mott’s fruit snacks contain pork gelatin?

Gelatin, a common ingredient in many gummy candies and snacks, often comes from pork or other animal sources. This would make products containing pork gelatin off-limits for those avoiding pork for religious, dietary, or ethical reasons.

As a long-time fan of Mott’s fruit snacks, I decided to closely examine the ingredients to find out if pork gelatin is used. Here is what I discovered.

What is Gelatin and Why is it Used?

Gelatin is a thickening agent that provides a chewy, gummy texture in candies and snacks. It acts as an adhesive, binding ingredients together while also contributing to mouthfeel

Gelatin melts at body temperature, which provides that satisfying gummy feel as the candy dissolves on the tongue. It’s an integral component of products like Jell-O, marshmallows, and gummy bears.

Most gelatin is made by boiling animal parts such as skins, tendons, ligaments, and bones in water. This extracts the natural collagen, which is then dried into gelatin powder or sheets.

Common sources are pork and cattle. For non-vegetarians, gelatin is a safe commonly-used additive. But it raises ethical and religious concerns for some.

A Close Look at Mott’s Fruit Snacks Ingredients

To determine if pork gelatin is used, we can analyze the ingredients label on a box of Mott’s Assorted Fruit snacks:

• Corn syrup, sugar, modified corn starch
• Pear, apple, strawberry, and carrot juice concentrates
• Less than 2% of fruit pectin, citric acid, Vitamin C, and more

Two aspects stand out. First there is no gelatin listed at all. Instead fruit pectin is used as the gelling agent. Pectin is plant-based, commonly derived from citrus peels or apple pulp.

Second, the only animal product mentioned is natural flavor. But natural flavors refer to flavor compounds, not gelling agents like gelatin.

Do Mott’s Use Pork Gelatin? Mott’s Response

Based on the ingredients analysis, it appears Mott’s fruit snacks contain no gelatin, pork or otherwise.

But to confirm this finding, I reached out to the Mott’s company directly. Their response was clear:

“Mott’s Fruit Snacks do not contain pork or any other animal derivatives. We use fruit pectin for our gel agent, not gelatin.”

This aligns with what we observed by examining the ingredients list. With no gelatin or pork products included, Mott’s fruit snacks contain 100% vegetarian ingredients.

Why Do People Think Mott’s Uses Pork Gelatin?

Despite the lack of gelatin or pork in Mott’s fruit snacks, where did this misconception come from? There are a few potential reasons:

• Confusion with other brands – Some gummy candies do contain pork gelatin, so it’s an easy assumption.

• Similarity to gelatin texture – The chewy texture is reminiscent of gelatin gummies.

• Lack of kosher certification – No kosher symbol leads some to doubt the ingredients.

• General uncertainty around candy ingredients – Ambiguous natural flavors and lack of clarity around processing makes consumers unsure.

While it’s wise to be cautious, in the case of Mott’s fruit snacks, the ingredients speak for themselves.

Which Mott’s Fruit Snacks Are Gelatin-Free?

I confirmed with Mott’s that all of their fruit snack products use pectin instead of gelatin and do not contain pork products. This includes:

• Mott’s Original Assorted Fruit
• Mott’s Original Assorted Fruit Plus Fiber
• Mott’s Berry
• Mott’s Fruity Rolls
• Mott’s Tropical

So customers avoiding pork for any reason can enjoy the full range of Mott’s fruit snacks. The same pork-free formula is used across all varieties.

Benefits of Choosing Mott’s Fruit Snacks

Here are some of the advantages Mott’s fruit snacks offer as a gelatin-free snack:

• Allergen-friendly – No common allergens like dairy, nuts, eggs, or wheat

• Better texture – The pectin gives a smoother, more tender texture than gelatin

• Nutritious – Made with real fruit juice and fortified with Vitamin C

• Convenient – Pre-portioned snacks are easily portable for lunchboxes and on-the-go

• Child-approved – Kids love the bright colors and sweet, fruity flavors

• Versatile – Flavors appeal to a wide range of ages and preferences

Mott’s checks a lot of boxes for families seeking kid-friendly snacks that are also vegetarian, halal, or kosher.

The Bottom Line

After thorough research and direct confirmation from the manufacturer, I am confident in concluding that Mott’s fruit snacks contain no pork gelatin or any other animal-derived gelatin.

The substituting of pectin as the alternative gelling agent means all Mott’s fruit snacks are vegetarian-friendly and pork-free. Customers avoiding pork for religious reasons can enjoy Mott’s fruit snacks without concern over the ingredients.

So for a delicious snack that puts a smile on kids’ faces at school or at home, Mott’s fruit snacks are a gelatin-free, pork-free option the whole family can feel good about enjoying.