What Is Pectin? Is It Vegan?

Pectin is the soluble fiber found in most non-woody plants, particularly apples, plums, apricots, and citrus peels or pulp. The ingredient is commonly added to foods as a thickener, especially in jams, jellies, and preserves.

Perhaps you've spotted pectin on an ingredients list and wondered whether it’s vegan. Because it comes exclusively from plants, vegans are in luck. Here, we discuss pectin's vegan status, how it compares to gelatin, and what foods you may find pectin in.

Why Pectin Is Vegan

Powered or liquid pectin is made up mostly of carbs and is extracted from within the cell walls of fruits and vegetables, where it helps maintain strength and flexibility. It is considered one of the most complex macromolecules (molecules that contain a large number of atoms, like protein) in nature and is usually extracted from citrus fruits using chemical or enzymatic methods.

Fruits and vegetables that have a firmer texture will generally have high pectin levels while those with softer consistencies have lower levels. Additionally, produce that is ripe will have lower pectin levels than unripe ones.

You’re more likely to find pectin extract included in sweets and candies since it needs sugar to create the gelatinous texture. Fruits that naturally produce high levels of pectin on their own, such as citrus, will need less added sugar and pectin extract to make products like jelly and jam. In contrast, fruits with lower levels of natural pectin will need more of both.

Pectin vs. Gelatin

Pectin is used as and considered to be a vegan substitution for gelatin. Gelatin is automatically not vegan because it is derived from the skin, bones, and tissues of animals or fish. Gelatin also doesn’t need sugar or acid in order to form a gel, unlike pectin, which is why it’s often used in a wider range of products.

Dried gelatin and dried pectin both produce thick, gel-like consistencies when exposed to water. Only pectin comes entirely from plants.

Foods to Avoid That Include Pectin

While pectin is primarily used as a gelling agent and stabilizer in the food industry, it is also sometimes used as an emulsifier (acting as a surface agent to keep the solution mixed together). So, although pectin in itself is vegan, it might show up in products with other non-vegan ingredients—especially when it's used for protein stabilization in dairy-based desserts.

Pectin is sometimes also used as a fat or sugar replacement in processed, low-fat foods. Think custards, flavored milk, reduced-fat cheese, and drinkable yogurt.

Vegan-Friendly Foods That Include Pectin

Pectin is typically labeled by name, but it is sometimes listed as E440 or even E440(i) and E440(ii) to distinguish its chemical composition. This plant-based polysaccharide is primarily used to thicken jelly, jam, preserves, and marmalade, but it also has applications in products like jellied cranberry sauce, jello, and gummy candies.

As with any product that is not obviously vegan or non-vegan, check the label for animal products such as milk, eggs, or gelatin. If you can confirm that the rest of the ingredients are plant-based, that product should be safe for vegans to consume.