Jyoti Mehta

Gelatin is an ingredient used in many food and non-food products which are not suitable for vegetarians. It is a substance that is derived from animal skin and bones, and most frequently derived from pig hide, cattle hide and bones and fish bladders (when it is named ‘isinglass’).

In this sense, gelatin is a disgusting and exploitative by-product of the meat industry. Gelatin is useful in the food industry because of its emulsifying, thickening, stabilising and elastic properties. Most commonly it is used in food to give it a unique ‘melt in the mouth’ and chewy flavour. Thankfully, pressure from vegetarians and certain religious groups has resulted in a dramatic increase in the use of vegetarian gelatin alternatives in recent years.

However, the difficulty in finding a low-cost alternative has meant that it continues to be used in various everyday products and this means that we as vegetarians must remain informed and viligant. Examples of common uses of gelatin are listed here:

Confectionary - marshmallows, chewy sweets, jelly, ice cream, jam and yoghurt.

Vitamins/Pills - the shells of capsules are often made from gelatin to make them easier to swallow. Always look for the vegetarian symbol when buying pills.

Photographic film and paper - is almost always made with gelatin to keep the silver halide crystals in emulsion.

Soft Drinks - Gelatin makes beta-carotene water soluble and thus is used in soft drinks when beta-carotene is needed to give the drink a yellow colour.

Cosmetics - Gelatin is used in cosmetics under the name ‘hydrolysed collagen’.

Juice - Juices such as apple juice might use gelatin as a clarifyer. Also used in this way for vinegar.

Alcohol - Isinglass (made from fish swim bladders) is used to refine many wines and beers. See The Vegan Society website for list of vegetarian/vegan alcoholic drinks. Vegetarians who drink alcohol should be aware that they are drinking something that is not vegetarian.

Glue - such as hide glue are unrefined gelatin.

Others - Gelatin is used as a binder in match heads and sandpaper and also to maintain the wrinkles in crepe paper. Some vegetarians don’t worry about things like gelatin out of ignorance - any animal ingredients must be avoided by a ‘pukka’ vegetarian!