Is Gelatin Vegetarian?

Not Vegetarian

Obtaining it requires the animal to die, so it falls outside a vegetarian diet as well as a vegan one.

The two diets, side by side

A vegetarian diet excludes animals that were killed. A vegan diet excludes animal products entirely, whether the animal survived or not. Gelatin fails both tests on the same fact, so the two diets agree here.

Gelatin is not vegan. It is boiled out of the skin, bones, and connective tissue of pigs, cattle, or fish, which makes it a slaughter byproduct. It hides in gummy sweets, marshmallows, and the capsule shells of many medicines.

Relevant to: Fish · Pork · Mammal

What it is

Comes from: Produced by boiling the skin, bones, and connective tissue of pigs, cattle, or fish. A byproduct of the meat industry.
Which animal: pig, cattle, or fish
Requires slaughter: Yes
Where you meet it: Gummy sweets, marshmallows, jelly, panna cotta, some yogurts, gel capsule supplements and medications, wine (used for fining), photographic film.
What replaces it: Agar (E406, from seaweed), Pectin (E440, from fruit), Carrageenan (E407, from red algae), Konjac (E425).

Editorial notes

Often found hidden in pharmaceutical capsules. Kosher and Halal gelatin exists but is still not vegan.

Frequently asked questions

Is Gelatin vegetarian?

Not Vegetarian. Obtaining it requires the animal to die, so it falls outside a vegetarian diet as well as a vegan one.

Is Gelatin vegan?

Not Vegan. Gelatin is not vegan. It is boiled out of the skin, bones, and connective tissue of pigs, cattle, or fish, which makes it a slaughter byproduct. It hides in gummy sweets, marshmallows, and the capsule shells of many medicines.

Is gelatin vegan?

No, gelatin is not vegan. The protein comes from the collagen in animal skin, bones, and connective tissue, usually from pigs, cattle, or fish. Gelatin is animal-derived and unsuitable for vegans or vegetarians.

What is gelatin made from?

Gelatin is made from collagen. The collagen is extracted from animal skin, bones, and connective tissue. The most common sources are pig skin and cattle hides and bones, with fish used less often. Gelatin is a byproduct of the meat and leather industries.

Is gelatin in marshmallows?

Yes, most conventional marshmallows contain gelatin. The protein gives them their soft, springy set. Vegan marshmallows are available and typically use agar, carrageenan, or other plant-based gelling agents. Always check the label, as recipes vary by brand.