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Are Jelly Beans Halal? Gelatin, Shellac and Brands

Short answer Depends

Many jelly beans contain no gelatin. Their basic ingredients are sugar, corn syrup, starch or pectin [1], and Jelly Belly says its beans have no gelatin [2]. But some brands or chewy varieties do use gelatin, which may come from pork [3]. Jelly beans also use beeswax and confectioner's glaze [1]. Check the label for each brand.

Last verified: If you're unsure, ask a scholar you trust.

What the schools of thought say

SchoolViewSource
Gelatin (most scholars and certifiers) Pork gelatin is not accepted; many also avoid gelatin from cattle not slaughtered Islamically. [3][4]
Gelatin (minority view) Some scholars hold that processing fully transforms gelatin (istihalah), making it pure. [3]
Alcohol in flavorings Some scholars allow tiny, non-intoxicating amounts of alcohol in flavorings; others advise avoiding them. [5][6]

What jelly beans are made of

Jelly beans are small, bean-shaped candies with a soft center and a hard sugar shell. Their basic ingredients are sugar, tapioca or corn syrup, and pectin or starch [1]. The lecithin emulsifier, an edible wax such as carnauba wax or beeswax, salt and confectioner's glaze are also used [1].

This matters because the soft center of a jelly bean is usually set with starch or pectin, not gelatin. That makes many jelly beans different from gummy bears, which usually rely on gelatin. See our pectin page.

Jelly Belly

Jelly Belly is the best-known jelly bean brand in the US. On its UK website, the company says its jelly beans do not contain gelatin, meat, dairy or eggs [2]. It lists the base as sugar, corn syrup, modified corn starch, flavors and colors [2]. It also says the beans are certified kosher by the Orthodox Union [2].

Jelly Belly uses beeswax and confectioner's glaze to give the beans their shine [2]. Jelly Belly does not claim halal certification on that page. Many Muslims are comfortable with Jelly Belly based on these ingredients, but some check flavors one by one. For more detail, see our Jelly Belly page.

Other ingredients to check

  • Gelatin. Some jelly beans, especially chewy or gourmet types, use gelatin. In the US, gelatin is often from pork or non-zabiha cattle. Most scholars and certifiers reject pork gelatin [3][4]. See our gelatin page.
  • Confectioner's glaze. This is shellac, a resin made by the lac insect. It is used as a shiny coating on many candies.
  • Beeswax. Made by bees, like honey. It is used as a coating.
  • Colors. Some red and pink candies use carmine, a dye made from insects. See carmine.
  • Flavors. Some flavors, like cocktail-themed jelly beans, may be made with alcohol-based extracts. Scholars differ on tiny amounts in flavorings [5][6].

How to check a bag in 30 seconds

  1. Find the word gelatin. If it is not in the ingredients, the main halal concern is gone.
  2. If gelatin is listed, check whether the source is named (beef, fish or pork) or whether there is a halal logo.
  3. Look for carmine or cochineal in the colors if you avoid insect-based dyes.
  4. Note the kosher mark. It rules out pork meat, but kosher gelatin is not automatically halal [4].
  5. Check the country of sale. Imported bags may use a different recipe.

This takes less time than it sounds, and it works for most candies.

Easter candy and seasonal mixes

Jelly beans are a big part of Easter candy in the US. Seasonal mixes and store brands vary a lot, and some may include gelatin even when the main brand does not. Always read the bag you are buying, not the brand's general reputation.

Recipes also change, and the same brand can use different recipes in different countries. A product that is gelatin-free in the UK may not be the same in the US. For other candies, see our Haribo, Swedish Fish and Starburst pages.

If you're unsure, ask a scholar you trust.

Frequently asked questions

Do jelly beans have pork gelatin?

Many don't. Jelly beans are usually set with starch or pectin [1], and Jelly Belly says its beans contain no gelatin [2]. But some brands or chewy varieties use gelatin, which may come from pork. Read the label.

Are Jelly Belly jelly beans halal?

Jelly Belly says its beans contain no gelatin, meat, dairy or eggs, and are OU kosher [2]. It does not claim halal certification on that page. Many Muslims accept them based on the ingredients.

Is confectioner's glaze halal?

Confectioner's glaze is a shiny coating used on jelly beans [1]. It is made from shellac, a resin secreted by the lac insect. Many Muslims accept it, but views differ, so if this matters to you, ask a scholar you trust.

Are Starburst jelly beans halal?

Check the current bag. Starburst fruit chews in the US contain gelatin [7], and jelly bean recipes may differ. If gelatin is listed without a halal source, many Muslims skip it.

Sources

  1. Jelly bean · Wikipedia · accessed
  2. FAQs · Jelly Belly UK · accessed
  3. Is Gelatin Halal? · Islam Question & Answer · accessed
  4. Is Kosher Gelatin Halal? · IFANCA · accessed
  5. Is Vanilla Extract Halal? · Islam Question & Answer · accessed
  6. Chocolate Liquor (Ask the Scholar, Sheikh Ahmad Kutty) · AboutIslam · accessed
  7. Starburst Original Fruit Chews Candy (ingredient listing) · H-E-B · accessed