Does Laffy Taffy Contain Pork? Examining the Ingredients

For decades, both kids and adults have loved Laffy Taffy, a chewy candy that tastes like fruit. A lot of people remember this treat from their childhood because it’s stretchy and tastes sweet and sour like cherry, banana, and watermelon. But some have questioned if this classic candy contains pork or animal products. Let’s dig into the ingredients to find out.

A Brief History of Laffy Taffy

Laffy Taffy was first produced in the 1970s by Nestle under their Willy Wonka candy brand. The name refers to the laughs provoked by the jokes printed on the wrappers.

In 2018, Ferrara Candy Company acquired Nestle’s American candy brands, including Laffy Taffy. They still make the candy today, but now it comes in a lot of different shapes, sizes, and flavors, like Laffy Tape, Ropes, and Crunchers.

Does Original Laffy Taffy Contain Pork?

The traditional Laffy Taffy candy squares do not contain any pork, pork byproducts, meat, or animal-derived ingredients.

Here is a rundown of the main ingredients:

• Corn syrup – Adds sweetness
• Sugar – Provides texture and flavor
• Palm oil – Gives a smooth consistency
• Natural and artificial flavors – Creates fruit tastes
• Food coloring – Provides bright colors

While the candy is not vegetarian due to containing palm oil, it does not contain pork, beef, or gelatin ingredients. The wrappers caution that the production equipment processes milk ingredients, but milk is not directly added to the taffy itself.

What About Laffy Taffy Bites and Other Varieties?

While original Laffy Taffy is pork-free, some spin-off products do contain non-vegetarian ingredients:

• Laffy Taffy Bites – These gummy versions contain pork-derived gelatin as the binding agent. Not vegetarian or halal.

• Laffy Taffy Ropes – Same pork-free recipe as regular taffy. Vegetarian but not vegan.

• Laffy Taffy with Sprinkles – Uses original pork-free recipe. Contains milk-derived confectioner’s glaze on sprinkles. Not vegan

• Chewy Laffy Taffy – Chewier taffy texture but traditional pork-free ingredients. Not vegan.

So while most Laffy Taffy is pork-free, it’s important to read labels and avoid any products listing gelatin if avoiding pork.

Why Do People Think Laffy Taffy Contains Pork?

Despite no pork-derived ingredients being used in the original Laffy Taffy candy recipe, some consumers have questioned if it contains pork. There are a few reasons this misconception persists:

• Association with gelatin– Since some gummy candies contain gelatin, some assume Laffy Taffy does too. But regular taffy uses a soybean oil emulsifier instead.

• Sanders – Urban legend says Laffy Taffy was named after a pig owned by Willy Wonka’s founder Ernest Sanders. But there’s no evidence to support this being true.

• Lack of halal certification – Since Laffy Taffy isn’t halal certified, some mistakenly think that means it must contain pork. In reality, the pork-free candy likely just didn’t undergo certification due to business reasons.

• Misleading blogs – Some non-authoritative blogs have incorrectly stated that Laffy Taffy contains pork or gelatin. But a careful review of ingredients proves these claims false.

Should You Enjoy Laffy Taffy?

If you don’t eat pork for dietary, religious, or ethical reasons, you can safely eat regular Laffy Taffy squares, ropes, and bars that don’t list gelatin in the ingredients. Just be wary of chewy bite versions that do contain non-vegetarian gelatin.

While original Laffy Taffy is pork-free, whether you should indulge depends on your own dietary standards:

• Vegans avoid palm oil and artificial colors/flavors. Consider fruit-flavored taffies from vegan brands instead.

• Vegetarians can eat original Laffy Taffy as it doesn’t contain immediate animal ingredients.

• Those who keep halal/kosher diets can enjoy plain Laffy Taffy as it doesn’t contain pork.

• If allergies are a concern, check labels for potential milk traces from manufacturing equipment.

At the end of the day, myths about pork contents in classic Laffy Taffy seem to stem from misinformation, not the actual ingredients list. But as always, your own dietary needs should guide your final decision.