Are Twizzlers vegetarian and halal?

Quick answer: Standard Twizzlers twists list no gelatin, so they are generally treated as vegetarian-friendly, but we could not open Hershey's own statement and the source of the glycerin is not stated on the pack. Twizzlers Gummies are a separate product that does contain gelatin, per a third-party source.

The classic strawberry twists contain no gelatin, which is the main concern for halal and vegetarian diets. Glycerin source and certification are the open points.

Why this verdict

• Third-party vegan and halal guides we found say the standard Twizzlers twists do not contain gelatin, which is the ingredient that normally makes licorice-style candy a problem. We could not open Hershey's own FAQ to confirm.
• One source says Hershey specifies its glycerin is vegetable-based. We could not verify that against Hershey, and glycerin can be animal-, plant- or synthetic-derived (see our glycerin verdict).
• Sources disagree on whether Twizzlers count as vegan, and Hershey does not appear to list them as officially vegan. A vegan analysis notes that sugar processing and supplier agreements may matter to strict vegans.
• Twizzlers Gummies and some other lines are different products, and one third-party source says the gummies contain gelatin. Check each pack separately.
• Twizzlers carry no halal certification that we could find, so the verdict rests on ingredients and sourcing statements, not a certifier.
• This is not a religious ruling. Ask a qualified scholar if you are unsure.

Key ingredients

• Sugar
• Glycerin (source not stated on the pack)
• Other ingredients as listed on your pack

Halal-friendly alternatives

• Licorice or twists labeled halal-certified or vegan
• Pectin- or starch-set candies with a certification mark
• Hershey consumer care, to ask about glycerin sourcing for your pack

Twizzlers: common questions

Also relevant

• Is candy halal?
• Is glycerin halal?

How this verdict was reached

Every verdict in the Is it Halal? library follows the same method. We start with the manufacturer's published ingredient statement, then trace each questionable component back to its source — animal, plant, synthetic, or microbial — because the halal status of an ingredient almost always depends on origin rather than on the ingredient name itself. Where the source is ambiguous, we look for certification records, supplier disclosures, and the positions taken by recognised halal certifying bodies, including IFANCA, the Halal Food Authority, and HMC. Country-specific certifiers such as JAKIM (Malaysia) and BPJPH/MUI (Indonesia) are covered in the country certification guides.

We then weigh the mainstream positions of the four Sunni schools of jurisprudence. Where scholars agree, we state the verdict plainly. Where they differ, we label the item mushbooh (doubtful) rather than forcing a single answer, and we explain what each position rests on so you can follow the ruling you observe. Formulations also change between countries and production runs, so a product that is halal in one market may not be in another.

This page is reviewed and updated as manufacturers reformulate and as new certification information becomes available. It is general guidance for everyday shopping, not a religious ruling for your specific situation — if a product matters a great deal to you, confirm with the manufacturer or your local scholar. For anything on the shelf that isn't covered here, our halal scanner app SafaScan is coming soon to iOS and Android; until then, you can browse the full halal verdict library for related ingredients.