What Products Have Pork in Them? You Might Be Surprised

When you think of pork foods like bacon ham, and sausage likely come to mind. But you may be surprised to learn that pork products are common ingredients in many other foods too. From snacks to dairy to candies, pork can pop up in unexpected places.

While the meat itself is easy to identify, byproducts like gelatin, fat, and enzymes derived from pigs are mixed into a wide variety of products. Let’s look at some of the common foods that contain hidden pork

Snack Foods

Many beloved snack foods rely on pork products as ingredients Gelatin in particular is added to

• Puddings and jello – For that characteristic jiggle
• Chips, crackers, and cookies – To provide crunch
• Donuts and pastries – To achieve flakiness
• Marshmallows – For light and fluffy texture

The natural proteins extracted from pig skins, bones, and cartilage allow food companies to achieve desirable textures and consistencies in snack items.

Dairy Products

In addition to snack foods, traces of pork can turn up in some dairy items like:

• Ice cream – Gelatin prevents fast melting
• Yogurt – Adds thickness to yogurt
• Butter – Low-fat butter relies on gelatin to mimic full fat consistency
• Cream cheese – Used for stability in spreads

Again, gelatin is the go-to pork derivative for enhancing the mouthfeel and stability of dairy products. A little bit goes a long way in improving the enjoyment of these treats.

Baked Goods

From cakes to pies and pastries, pork fat lends itself well to baking:

• Cakes and frostings – Lard creates soft, moist texture
• Pies and pastry dough – Lard makes the flakiest crusts
• Cookies – Adds chewiness

The high fat content and melting point make lard, or pig fat, an ideal ingredient for producing decadent baked desserts. It was a baking staple before the rise of vegetable shortenings.

Candy

One of the biggest surprises is that many classic candies contain pork-derived gelatin. Examples include:

• Gummy bears and worms
• Marshmallows
• Candy corn
• Jelly beans
• Licorice
• Chewing gum

For simple fruit candy, pectin from fruit often provides enough setting power. But gelatin makes ideal gummy-style candies possible. It allows shaping candies in molds too.

The Takeaway

From enhancing textures to stabilizing foods, pork byproducts like gelatin and lard lend desirable qualities to snacks, dairy, baked goods, and candy. Reading labels is the only sure way to identify traces of pork in packaged foods. With heightened awareness, you may start noticing pork where you least expect it.