Surprising Sweets and Snacks that Contain Gelatin

Gelatin is derived from the collagen in animal's skin, intestines, connective tissues and bones. Sounds pretty atrocious but gelatin is used in some of the most popular sweets. Gelatin is a favorite ingredient to use in the preparation of sweets because of its gelatinous nature. Its gelatinous nature enables it to be used as a gelling agent to thicken foods particularly, sweets. Below, I have included a small list of popular sweets that include gelatin. You may be surprised to see that some of your favorite treats have made the list.

Planters dry roasted peanuts in a glass jar contains gelatin. This is a bit surprising because peanuts are peanuts, what else can you put in them? Planters peanuts in a can does not contain gelatin but planters dry roasted peanuts in the glass jar contains gelatin. The use of gelatin in the dry roasted peanuts most likely has to do with the difference in packaging.

Peeps contain gelatin. These cute little fluffy chicks that make their way to market during the Easter holiday contain gelatin. Marshmallows are notorious for the use of gelatin and gelatin is the main ingredient of Peeps.

Candy corn contains gelatin. Candy corn the multicolored triangular shaped candies that make their wicked yearly introduction during Halloween also contain gelatin. Gelatin gives this candy its soft bite. There are many variations of ingredients in candy corn. Some candy corns are produced without the use of gelatin (and are much harder in texture) but gelatin is one of the main ingredients in today's candy corn.

Junior Mints contain gelatin. I was baffled by this find but yes, those soft cool chocolately mints made by Tootsie Roll industries do contain gelatin. The gelatin gives this candy its soft bite.

Starburst contains gelatin. Starburst candies manufactured by Wrigley contain gelatin. The gelatin gives this candy is chewy texture.

Sweethearts those miniature hearts manufactured by NECCO with sweet Valentine sayings imprinted on them contain gelatin. Although Sweethearts have a hard exterior their center is pretty soft and the candy can be easily chewed. The gelatin gives this candy its softness.

Kellog's Rice Krispies Treats contain gelatin. These treats contain marshmallow in them. The marshmallows are not visible to the eye but they are baked right into the snack and give the treats their sticky, elasticity texture.

Mentos "The Fresh maker" invented in the Netherlands were a popular candy in the 90's and are still being manufactured by the European manufacturer, Perfetti Van Melle corporation. The candy has a hard outer shell and a chewy center. Gelatin gives Mentos its chewy center. Mentos did not always contain gelatin and some of the gelatin based Mentos have been replaced with a gelatin alternative.

Life Savers GummiesSour, a gummy extension of the Life Savers hard candy contains gelatin. The gelatin gives these candies their all around gummy texture.

Kellog's Pop Tarts contain gelatin. It was surprising to find that pop tarts contain gelatin. The gelatin lies in the Pop Tarts' sticky, jam filling.

Stop & Shop assorted fruit filled candies contain gelatin. This Stop and Shop brand of candy does contain gelatin although the ingredients listed on the back of the package omit the gelatin ingredient. However, the ingredients listed on the individual wrappers include the gelatin ingredient.

Gummy candies such as gummy worms, gummy bears and peach and apple rings often contain gelatin in them. If the candy looks gummy then chances are that gelatin is an ingredient. However, some gummy candies use a gelatin alternative such as pectin or vegetable gums.