Is Rowntree's Halal?

Is Rowntree’s Halal?

The answer for Rowntree’s is product-specific - some are safe, some are not. This is one of the most misunderstood brands in the halal sweets conversation.

The key split: Products with gelatine = haram. Products without gelatine = generally halal.

Quick Reference: Rowntree’s Products by Status

Product	Contains Gelatine?	Status
Fruit Pastilles	No	✅ Halal (ingredient check)
Jelly Tots	No	✅ Halal (ingredient check)
Fruit Gums	No	✅ Halal (ingredient check)
Wine Gums	Yes (pork)	❌ Haram
Randoms	Yes (pork)	❌ Haram
Jelly Snakes	Yes (pork)	❌ Haram
Pick & Mix range	Varies by sweet	⚠️ Check each individually

Always verify on the current packet - Rowntree’s reformulations happen and gelatine status can change.

Why Fruit Pastilles Are Halal

Rowntree’s Fruit Pastilles use starch (not gelatine) to achieve their texture. The ingredients list typically contains: sugar, glucose syrup, modified starch, citric acid, and natural flavourings - no gelatine, no shellac, no carmine.

The one thing to watch: colourings. Some red and purple Fruit Pastilles have historically used E120 (cochineal/carmine - insect-derived) for colouring. Modern UK formulations often use plant-derived colours instead, but check the ingredients list on your specific pack.

The Gelatine Problem in Wine Gums and Randoms

Wine Gums and Randoms list “gelatine” as an ingredient. In UK products, unlabelled gelatine is almost always pork-derived - the cheaper and more available source. There is no halal certification on these products and no indication of an alternative gelatine source.

For a full explanation of why gelatine is the most significant halal concern in sweets, see our Gelatin Halal Guide.

E-Codes to Check in Rowntree’s Products

E-code	Name	Concern
E441	Gelatine	Haram if pork-derived - present in Wine Gums, Randoms
E120	Cochineal / Carmine	Insect-derived red dye - check colourings in red/pink products
E133	Brilliant Blue	Synthetic - halal
E122	Carmoisine	Synthetic azo dye - halal in dry/powder form

Verdict by Product

Safe to buy (ingredient check confirms halal):

• Rowntree’s Fruit Pastilles - no gelatine, check colours on pack
• Rowntree’s Jelly Tots - no gelatine
• Rowntree’s Fruit Gums - no gelatine

Avoid:

• Rowntree’s Wine Gums - contains pork gelatine
• Rowntree’s Randoms - contains pork gelatine
• Rowntree’s Jelly Snakes - contains pork gelatine

Always check the individual product label. Formulations are updated regularly, and the same product name sold in different supermarkets can vary.