Halloween is supposed to be scary, not the candy. It’s the tricks, not the treats that are supposed to be scary. But there’s a sneaky ingredient lurking in your fun-sized bag of gummy bears, Starburst and candy corn: gelatin. Gelatin is a protein that comes from the skin, bones, and connective tissues of pigs, cows, or fish. It gives some candies and sweets, like marshmallows, pudding, and Jell-O, a gummy or jelly-like texture. But given its source, gelatin comes with a cost, both for animals and the environment.
Candy corn is a popular Halloween treat that has been around for over 100 years. With its signature orange, yellow, and white layered kernel shape, candy corn has become a quintessential part of Halloween traditions. However, many people wonder – does candy corn contain pork gelatin?
The History and Origins of Candy Corn
Candy corn is believed to have been invented in the 1880s by George Renninger of the Wunderle Candy Company. Back then candy corn was made by hand in trays using heated pots to create the distinct layers of flavor and colors. The yellow tip was designed to mimic the color of ripe corn the orange center resembled a pumpkin, and the white base represented the white tip of actual corn kernels.
By the early 1900s, candy corn became mass produced and the Goelitz Confectionery Company (now the Jelly Belly Candy Company) helped boost its popularity Today, over 35 million pounds of candy corn are produced annually in the United States
Gelatin – The Controversial Ingredient
The primary ingredients in candy corn include sugar, corn syrup, confectioner’s wax, salt, dextrose, vanilla, food coloring, and gelatin. It’s the gelatin that gives candy corn its signature chewy texture. Gelatin acts as a binding agent that holds the sugars and flavors together.
Gelatin can be derived from various animal parts such as cattle bones, pig skin, and fish. However, the most common source for gelatin is pork. This makes gelatin controversial for vegetarians, vegans, Hindus, and some religious groups.
Most Candy Corn Brands Use Pork-Based Gelatin
The two largest manufacturers of candy corn today are Brach’s and Jelly Belly. Both companies confirm that their regular candy corn products contain pork-derived gelatin.
Brach’s FAQ states: “Our candy corn does contain gelatin in the shellac coating. It is derived from animal protein (pork).”
Jelly Belly also indicates their candy corn uses gelatin sourced from pigs. They even coat the kernels with beeswax, which is another animal byproduct avoided by strict vegans.
Why Checking Labels is Key for Vegetarians
Since most major brands use pork gelatin, carefully reading ingredient labels is crucial for vegetarian consumers. However, some labels only use vague terms like “natural flavors” or “artificial colors” that could conceal animal-based ingredients. When unsure, contacting the manufacturer directly can provide clearer answers on their gelatin sources.
Seeking Out Vegan Candy Corn Alternatives
Thankfully, some smaller brands now offer gelatin-free, vegan candy corn options such as:
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YumEarth Organic Vegan Candy Corn – Uses pectin instead of gelatin and is USDA Certified Organic and Non-GMO Project Verified.
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Surf Sweets Organic Candy Corn – Gelatin-free and vegan with natural colors and flavors.
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Sweet & Sara Vegan Marshmallow Candy Corn – Uses tapioca syrup instead of gelatin.
Vegan certifications like “Certified Vegan” help ensure no animal-derived ingredients. Choosing organic options when possible also avoids pesticides.
Making Homemade Candy Corn Lets You Control Ingredients
For full control over ingredients, candy lovers can create DIY candy corn recipes at home. Substituting gelatin with vegetable-based agar or pectin allows a customized vegan version. Popular recipes include:
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Minimalist Baker’s 4-Ingredient Candy Corn – Uses arrowroot or cornstarch instead of gelatin
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Mason Jar Crafts Candy Corn – Substitutes gelatin for agar powder
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Jelly Toast’s Candy Corn – Uses agar-agar as the vegan gelling agent
Candycorn shaped molds and natural food dyes from beets, turmeric, and plant extracts help emulate the festive orange, yellow, and white layers.
Should You Enjoy Conventional Candy Corn?
For vegetarians, the small amount of gelatin in regular candy corn means having an occasional piece may be acceptable, especially during Halloween season. But those strictly avoiding pork will want to avoid conventional candy corn or only consume vegan alternatives.
Non-vegetarians looking to reduce meat consumption can likely continue enjoying candy corn sparingly since the quantity of gelatin is minor.
Informed Choice Matters Most
Whether or not to eat candy corn comes down to personal choice. But being informed about ingredients allows customers to make purchasing decisions that match their dietary needs and preferences.
While candy corn has questionable ingredients for some, its special role in Halloween traditions will likely keep it around. Enjoying vegan versions or the occasional traditional piece can let you celebrate the Halloween spirit while reading labels to make your own ideal choice!
“Dancing” Gummy Bears and Other Dark Origins of Gelatin
The first gummy candies, which were probably Turkish delight in the Ottoman Empire, did not have any gelatin in them at all. Instead, they were made with plant-based starches, which took a long time and was hard for Europeans to copy at the time. Candy makers were eager for a shortcut ingredient.
The first candymaker to use gelatin to achieve the same gummy effect was German confectioner Hans Riegel of the Haribo company. In the late 19th century, Riegel sought a faster and easier way to make gummy candies — in particular for the first ever gummy bears, which were fashioned after “dancing” bears popular in Germany at the time. The bears didn’t actually dance, but were instead forced to “stand on metal plates over fire while music played.”
Where Does Gelatin Come From?
To get the collagen that makes up the gel, the bones and other body parts of animals raised on factory farms are boiled down. Sometimes fish skin and scales are included. We call gelatin a “byproduct” of industrial agriculture because it helps the business make money and improve its bottom line. In this system, thousands of animals are kept on small plots of land and can’t do many of the things that come naturally to them. Also, most gelatin comes from raising cattle and pigs in ways that contribute to climate change and other forms of water and air pollution.
The Proper Use of Candy Corn
FAQ
What candy has pork gelatin?
Is candy corn halal?
What foods contain pork gelatin?
What candy is made with gelatin?
Does candy corn have gelatin?
Gelatin. Candy corn gets its distinct coloring from the artificial flavors and colors like Yellow 6, Yellow 5, and Red 3 dyes. Most of the remaining ingredients are standard fare in all types of candy. However, the last two—confectioner’s glaze and gelatin are not. Gelatin and confectioner’s glaze are animal products.
Which candies contain pork gelatin?
At least some candies from Hershey’s and Nestle contain pork gelatin. Furthermore, specific candies from other manufacturers that use pork gelatin include: 1. Callard & Bowser Altoids (except Altoids Smalls) 2. Judson-Atkinson Assorted Sour Balls 3. Some other candies.
What are the ingredients in candy corn?
Traditional candy corn recipes use sugar, corn syrup, salt, gelatin, oil, honey, dextrose, confectioner’s glaze, and coloring agents as ingredients. Candy corn is extremely sweet and tastes like vanilla, marshmallows, and honey. Let’s now take a closer look at the origin of this sweet treat, how it’s made, and other details. How Is Candy Corn Made?
Are pig gelatin candies vegan?
Gelatin is a protein made out of collagen that can be found in pigs’ and cows’ bones, skin, cartilage, and fat. If you are vegan or considering going vegan, then this article is definitely for you, unlike candy. Below you’ll find a list of candies that contain pork gelatin.