Do Skittles Have Gelatin? No — They Removed It in 2009 and Here Is What Changed

Do Skittles have gelatin? No — not anymore. Mars Wrigley, the manufacturer of Skittles, removed gelatin from the standard Skittles formula in 2009 and replaced it with plant-based alternatives including tapioca dextrin and modified corn starch. Today, original Skittles, Sour Skittles, Wild Berry, and Tropical are all gelatin-free.

However, Skittles Gummies do contain gelatin — and this is the important exception to know. This guide covers the full history of gelatin in Skittles, which products are gelatin-free today, and which ones are not.

When Did Skittles Remove Gelatin?

Skittles originally contained beef-derived gelatin as a binding agent. In approximately 2009, Mars Wrigley reformulated the recipe to remove gelatin entirely, replacing it with tapioca dextrin and modified corn starch. This change was made to make Skittles accessible to more consumers — including vegetarians, vegans, and Muslims.

Around the same time, Skittles also removed carmine — a red dye derived from crushed cochineal insects — from their US formula, replacing it with Red 40, a synthetic petroleum-based dye. Both changes happened quietly without major announcement. Vegans and vegetarians noticed first.

What Do Skittles Use Instead of Gelatin?

The result is a candy that looks and feels almost identical to the original gelatin formula. Tapioca dextrin — the same cassava-root starch that makes boba pearls chewy — binds the Skittle together and creates the slightly chewy texture.

Skittles Products — Full Gelatin Guide

*Vegan with the exception of refined sugar (potential bone char processing) and palm oil (environmental concerns). The candy itself contains no direct animal-derived ingredients.

Are Skittles Halal?

Standard Skittles are generally considered halal-friendly. They contain no pork gelatin, no animal-derived ingredients, and no haram substances. Mars Wrigley does not carry halal certification for Skittles in most Western markets, but the ingredient profile is accepted by most Islamic scholars.

The sugar debate (bone char processing) is the main area of scholarly discussion. Most halal certification bodies consider refined sugar permissible unless explicitly contaminated with haram substances. Skittles Gummies contain gelatin of unspecified source — not suitable for halal diets.

Are Skittles Vegan?

Standard Skittles are considered vegan by most definitions. They contain no gelatin, no carmine, no dairy, and no shellac. Mars removed both gelatin (2009) and carmine (around 2015) from the standard US formula.

The two gray areas for strict vegans are refined sugar (bone char) and palm oil (deforestation concerns). Neither is a direct animal ingredient. Most vegans accept standard Skittles.

Skittles vs Other Popular Candies — Gelatin Status

Skittles, Sour Patch Kids, and Gushers are the three most popular US candies that are gelatin-free. See the full guides on this site for each one.

Now that you know how to bloom gelatin, you may be wondering which products actually contain it. Here is a quick overview of what we have tested and covered on this site: Sour Patch Kids and Gushers contain no gelatin. Starburst Chews and Jolly Rancher Chews do. And boba pearls — despite their chewy texture — are completely gelatin-free.

Frequently Asked Questions