Is Gelatin Vegan? What It's Made From & Plant-Based Swaps

Gelatin is the single most common reason a candy isn't vegan. It's what gives gummy bears their bounce and marshmallows their spring, and it's always made from animals.

What gelatin is made from

Gelatin is processed collagen, the main protein in skin, bone and connective tissue. Manufacturers soak pig skin, cattle hides and bones in acid or alkali, then heat them in water to draw out the collagen. The liquid is filtered, concentrated and dried into the powder or sheets you see in shops.

Most commercial gelatin comes from pigs and cattle. Fish gelatin exists, but it's also made from animals.

Where gelatin hides

Food	Status	Notes
Gummy candy and fruit snacks	Not vegan	Unless it says pectin, starch or agar.
Marshmallows	Not vegan	Including the ones in cereal like Lucky Charms.
Chewy candy	Not vegan	US Starburst are the best-known example.
Frosted cereal	Check the label	Frosted Mini-Wheats use gelatin in the frosting.
Breath mints	Check the label	Classic Altoids contain gelatin.
Yogurt, mousse, cheesecake	Check the label	Used as a thickener.
Capsules and softgels	Check the label	Look for "vegetable capsule" or HPMC.
Some beer and wine	Check the label	Used as a fining agent, and not listed on the bottle.

Plant-based alternatives to gelatin

Alternative	Status	Made from	Best for
Agar (agar-agar)	Vegan	Red seaweed	Firm jellies, panna cotta, vegan gummies
Pectin	Vegan	Fruit, mostly citrus peel and apples	Jams, soft gummies
Carrageenan	Vegan	Red seaweed	Creamy desserts, plant milks
Starch (corn, tapioca)	Vegan	Plants	Chewy candy, puddings
Konjac	Vegan	Konjac root	Jelly drinks, firm gels

Agar sets more firmly than gelatin and holds at room temperature, so you need less of it. A rough starting point is 1 teaspoon of agar powder for every tablespoon of gelatin a recipe calls for, then adjust.

How to spot gelatin on a label

US labels list it as gelatin. UK and Irish labels usually say gelatine. If a product only says "gelling agent", look for the name in brackets after it. Pectin, agar and carrageenan are fine. Gelatin isn't.

FAQ

Is there such a thing as vegan gelatin?

Not really. Products sold as 'vegan gelatin' are usually agar, carrageenan or pectin. Gelatin itself is always made from animals.

Is fish gelatin vegetarian?

No. It's made from fish skin and bones, so it isn't vegan or vegetarian. It's mainly used to make products halal or kosher.

Do vitamins and capsules contain gelatin?

Many softgels and capsules are made from gelatin. Vegan capsules are usually made from HPMC (hypromellose) or pullulan. See our Alive vitamins check for an example.

What's the E number for gelatin?

In Europe gelatin is classed as a food, not an additive, so it usually appears as 'gelatine' rather than an E number. You'll sometimes see E441 used informally.

Is Gelatin Vegan?