Does Swedish Fish Have Gelatin? The Sweet Truth Behind This Fruity Candy

Swedish Fish – those sweet chewy fruity candies shaped like fish – hold a special place in many candy lovers’ hearts. Available in a rainbow of colors and flavors, they are a movie theater and road trip staple. But a common question arises does Swedish Fish have gelatin?

As a vegan or vegetarian, it’s so important to know exactly what’s in the food you eat. Gelatin, a common ingredient derived from animal products, can sneak its way into foods you’d never expect – like candy!

I used to love Swedish Fish. As a kid, I’d beg my parents to get me a pack every time we went to the movies. The shiny, colorful fish looked so delicious in their candy rack displays. But as I got older and transitioned to a plant-based diet, I had to ask: does Swedish Fish have gelatin?

In this article we’ll dive deep into the sweet and sometimes murky world of gelatin in candy. I’ll uncover the truth about Swedish Fish ingredients so you can make an informed decision about whether they align with your dietary needs and preferences. Let’s get started!

What is Gelatin Exactly?

Before we investigate Swedish Fish specifically, let’s cover the basics about gelatin.

• Gelatin is a protein derived from collagen in animal bones and tissues.
• The most common sources are cattle bones, pig skin, and cattle hides.
• Gelatin gives food a distinctive, jiggly texture – think Jell-O.
• It acts as a stabilizer and thickener in many candies, desserts, and yogurt.
• Gelatin is not vegetarian or vegan due to its animal origins. Many vegetarians and vegans avoid it for ethical reasons.

Now that we know what gelatin is and where it comes from, let’s see if our fishy friends contain it!

The Origin Story of Swedish Fish

To understand Swedish Fish ingredients, a little background is helpful.

Contrary to what you may think, Swedish Fish did not originate in Sweden! The chewy candies as we know them today were first created in the 1950s by the Swedish candy company Malaco.

They brought Swedish Fish to the United States, where they quickly became popular. Today, Swedish Fish are made by Mondelez International, the corporation behind brands like Oreo, Ritz, Trident gum, and Sour Patch Kids.

Swedish Fish didn’t always come in a rainbow of colors either. Originally, they were only available in red with a lingonberry flavor. It makes sense when you consider lingonberry is a popular Swedish fruit!

Over time, Mondelez introduced new colors and fruit flavors like orange, yellow, and green. Recently, they’ve even launched tropical flavor varieties.

But regardless of flavor and color, the iconic fish shape remains for this classic retro candy.

Now let’s uncover what exactly goes into making Swedish Fish those chewy, fruity fish we know and love.

Swedish Fish Ingredients Explained

Here is the complete list of ingredients that may be found in Swedish Fish, according to the Mondelez International website:

• Sugar – Provides sweetness.
• Corn syrup – Made from corn starch, helps bind ingredients.
• Gelatin – NO gelatin here!
• Citric acid – Provides tartness.
• Natural and artificial flavors – Imitate fruit flavors.
• Coloring agents – Give Swedish Fish their bright hues.
• Carnauba wax or beeswax – Used for coating/glazing.
• Modified food starch – Thickens the candy.

Let’s break down the most important details:

• No gelatin – Swedish Fish do NOT contain gelatin! The chewy texture instead comes from the modified food starch.
• Beeswax – Some Swedish Fish contain beeswax, which is non-vegan. Always check labels!
• Colors – Artificial colors are used. There are no natural fruit or veggie juices.
• Sugar – Regular processed white sugar is used. Not organic cane sugar.

As you can see, although Swedish Fish are gelatin-free, they are far from an all-natural, wholesome candy. Preservatives, artificial colors and flavors abound!

Are Swedish Fish Considered Vegan?

Whether Swedish Fish are vegan or not depends on your definition of veganism. Here are some key considerations:

• No animal products – Swedish Fish do not contain meat, eggs, dairy or gelatin.
• Beeswax – Some packages contain beeswax, so always check first!
• Sugar processing – Bone char is sometimes used to process white sugar, which many vegans avoid. Swedish Fish may use this type of processed sugar.
• Colors – Artificial colors likely involve animal testing during development stages.

Given all these caveats, Swedish Fish are not 100% vegan, but they do meet some standards of veganism by not containing obvious animal-derived ingredients like gelatin.

Of course, veganism means different things to different people. You’ll have to decide whether Swedish Fish fit your own vegan diet based on your specific concerns and priorities.

Popular Swedish Fish FAQs

Let’s cover some quick answers to the most frequently asked questions about Swedish Fish:

Are Swedish Fish gluten-free? Yes! All Swedish Fish are certified gluten-free.

Do Swedish Fish have pork in them? No, Swedish Fish are pork-free.

Are Swedish Fish kosher? Some varieties are certified kosher, but always check for kosher symbols on the package to be sure.

Can vegetarians eat Swedish Fish? Yes, vegetarians can safely eat Swedish Fish since they do not contain meat ingredients. As always, double check for beeswax.

Are Swedish Fish halal? No, Swedish Fish are not halal certified at this time.

Healthier Swedish Fish Alternatives

Maybe after reading this article, you’ve decided standard Swedish Fish just aren’t for you. No worries – we’ve got some healthier, more natural alternatives so you don’t have to give up your fishy candy cravings!

Here are some of my favorite options:

YumEarth Organic Fruit Snacks – Made with real fruit juices and organic cane sugar. Vegan and gluten-free. Fun fish shapes!

Surf Sweets Organic Fruity Bears – Organic candy made with real fruit juices and cane sugar. Vegan and gluten-free.

Annie’s Organic Bunny Fruit Snacks – Adorable bunny shapes. Organic juices and carnauba wax glaze. Vegan!

SmartSweets Fishies – Low sugar gummy fish made with plant-based ingredients.

With options like these, you can enjoy your fruity candy fixes without the artificial additives and questionable ingredients.

The Verdict: Gelatin-Free but Not Perfect

So, after taking a deep dive into Swedish Fish, what’s the final verdict?

Here’s the tl;dr:

Swedish Fish do NOT contain gelatin. However, they are far from an ideal natural candy choice. Artificial colors, processed sugar and possible beeswax make them fall short of vegan status.

But for those simply looking to avoid gelatin for dietary reasons, Swedish Fish can still be an option to satisfy your chewy candy craving! Just opt for a variety without beeswax.

No candy is perfect, so enjoying the occasional Swedish Fish as a special treat likely won’t do much harm. Just make sure to check the ingredients label each time, and balance it out with plenty of wholesome fare for your daily nutrition.

At the end of the day, it’s all about making the choice that helps you stay true to your personal values and health goals. Now that you know the truth about this fruity classic candy, you can make the decision that’s right for you!