The Ultimate Guide to Formulating With Pectin

What Is Pectin?

Extracted from citrus fruit peels, pectin is a natural fiber commonly used as a gelling agent in products such as gummies and jellies. The ingredient will thicken liquids when added to the appropriate formula to achieve a gel-like texture.
 

Pectin vs. Gelatin

Which is Best for Your Gummy Formula
Multiple factors should be considered when it comes down to selecting a gelling ingredient for your gummy formula. Two of the most popular gelling agents are pectin and gelatin, which differ in many areas from origin to structure.

Pectin comes from natural fibers derived from citrus fruit peels, while gelatin is collagen that originates from animals. Because of this, your customers’ diet preferences may strongly influence which ingredient you pick. The final bite of your gummy will also change based on the ingredient; pectin’s bite is short and quick compared to gelatin’s long elastic bite. All factors should be considered before making the final decision for your formula.
 

Using Pectin for Gummies

If you decide on using pectin as your gelling agent for your gummies, there are a few key characteristics that you should note. The first is that pectin has a high melting point allowing gummies to stay smooth and stable at room temperature. Its sensory properties are also similar to that of gelatin, which allows your gummies to align with the expectations that consumers typically assume when consuming gummies. In addition, as mentioned above, pectin is a vegan ingredient as it originates from fruit peels.
 

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Is Pectin Vegan?

The Popularity of Vegan Gummies
Plant-based diets have been continuously increasing over the years, leading to the growth in the popularity of vegan alternatives. Harvested from the peels of citrus fruits, pectin has become a common alternative to replace gelatin in vegan recipes. Pectin’s gelling properties and other characteristics allow for a convenient formula adjustment in making your gummies vegan.
 

The Manufacturing of Pectin

Where Pectin Comes From
Powdered pectin has become the standard delivery form since it performs consistently. A great example of a circular economy, pectin usually is obtained from the peels of fruits that were first used to make juice. The leftover raw materials can then be transformed into the gelling agent needed to create your gummies.
 

Understanding the Pectin Market

Overcoming Pectin Supply Chain Issues
The pectin market has been hit with a few waves that have affected the supply chain. One of the biggest includes the increased popularity of plant-based diets, encouraging manufacturers to alter their formulas using only vegan ingredients; the main switch is going from gelatin to pectin when making gummies. In addition, gummies themselves have become a popular product thanks to “pill fatigue.” Adults prefer to take their vitamins via gummies now as they are tired of swallowing pills and would rather chew on a gummy. Companies are jumping on this trend and offering gummy versions of their vitamins, leading to an increased demand for pectin usage.

On top of the fact that pectin is in high demand, supply constraints caused by the COVID-19 pandemic are contributing to pectin shortages. Labor and ocean vessel shortages, in addition to socioeconomic tensions across the globe, are not unique to the pectin industry but add more bumps to the supply chain, making it difficult for manufacturers to keep a sufficient and consistent supply of pectin.
 
Choosing a Pectin Supplier
Regardless of the supply chain issues, the pectin market is predicted to grow by $546 million from 2021-2025. When choosing a pectin supplier, be sure to check that they have procedures put in place to handle changes in market demands. Thanks to our close relationship with our supplier, CEAMSA, and our communication efforts with customers, at Palmer Holland, we can forecast the market and prepare for changes.