Is Swedish Fish and Friends Kosher?

The Ingredient Breakdown

As a food scientist, I look at the molecular composition of candy to determine its dietary status. For Swedish Fish and Friends, the verdict is straightforward. The primary ingredients are plant-derived or synthetic, which avoids the common kosher pitfalls of gelatin or dairy.

The base of the candy consists of sugar, invert sugar, and corn syrup. These are all carbohydrates derived from plants (sugar cane or corn) and are inherently kosher. The texture comes from modified corn starch, another plant-based ingredient. The acidity is provided by citric acid, which is typically produced through the fermentation of corn or molasses.

Regarding the additives, the waxes and oils are acceptable. Carnauba wax is a vegetable wax from the leaves of a palm tree, and white mineral oil is a petroleum derivative, both of which are kosher. The colors used—Red 40, Yellow 5, and Blue 1—are synthetic dyes. While some individuals avoid these for health reasons, they do not render the food non-kosher. There is no gelatin (often derived from pork or beef) present, nor is there any mention of alcohol or dairy derivatives in the flavor profile.

Nutritional Value

From a nutritional standpoint, Swedish Fish and Friends are essentially a source of empty calories. A serving size of five pieces (30g) contains 110 calories, all of which come from carbohydrates. Specifically, there are 27g of total carbohydrates with 22g of sugar. This means that roughly 81% of the candy's weight is sugar.

The product contains 0g of fat and 0g of protein. It is also low in sodium (20mg). While this fits into a low-fat or low-sodium diet, the high sugar content—specifically the 22g of added sugars—is significant. This accounts for 44% of the daily value based on a standard 2,000-calorie diet. For those monitoring blood sugar or trying to reduce sugar intake, this candy should be consumed sparingly as a treat rather than a regular snack.