Quick facts
| Founded | 1920 (Goldbears: 1922) |
|---|---|
| Country | Germany (Bonn) |
| Made by | Haribo (family-owned) |
| Dietary status | Contains gelatine, not vegetarian or halal |
About Haribo
Haribo is the German family-owned confectionery brand that invented the gummy bear in 1922. Now sold worldwide, the UK range is manufactured in Pontefract, Yorkshire, and led by three big sellers: Goldbears (the original gummy bear), Tangfastics (the fizzy sour mix) and Starmix (the classic British selection). The brand is one of the most-recognised sweet labels in UK supermarkets and a default for kids' parties, lunchboxes and pick-and-mix building.
The 3 Haribo bags we stock
The three best-selling Haribo products in UK retail. Each is a sharing-size bag.
| Bag | Profile |
|---|---|
| Goldbears | The original 1922 gummy bear. Six fruit flavours (Lemon, Orange, Strawberry, Raspberry, Pineapple, Apple). The benchmark gummy candy of the modern era |
| Tangfastics | The sour-fizzy mix: dummies, cola bottles, cherries, sour gummy snakes, fizzy dragons. Sour-sugar coated rather than gelatine-coated. The UK's best-selling sour candy bag |
| Starmix | The classic UK Haribo mix: Goldbears, rings, cola bottles, fried eggs, hearts and strawberries. The pick-and-mix in a bag concept that built the UK Haribo market |
Ingredients and allergens
Representative ingredient list for Haribo Goldbears (UK manufacture):
Glucose Syrup, Sugar, Gelatine, Dextrose, Acid (Citric Acid), Fruit and Plant Concentrates (Apple, Aronia, Elderberry, Hibiscus, Mango, Orange, Pumpkin, Spinach, Strawberry), Flavourings, Fruit Juice from Concentrate (Strawberry, Orange, Lemon, Pineapple, Raspberry, Apple), Glazing Agents (Beeswax, Carnauba Wax), Elderberry Extract.
Allergen profile: contains gelatine in the standard UK manufactured product. Haribo's UK gelatine is sourced from pork in most variants, although Haribo confirms that some UK-produced gummies use beef gelatine. Not halal certified on the standard UK range. Not vegetarian or vegan for the same reason. Haribo does run a separate vegan range (no gelatine, plant-based gelling agents) in some markets, but the three classic bags stocked here are all gelatine-based. Contains beeswax in the glazing agent, which strict vegans avoid even from non-gelatine products. Always check the back of the individual bag for the most current dietary information.
For shoppers needing halal or vegan gummy alternatives, look at Peelerz Halal (halal-certified beef gelatine), Bebeto (Turkish halal-certified) or Shades by Niko (vegan and halal certified) instead.
Who Haribo is for
Universal gummy candy buyers: Haribo is the default mainstream gummy in UK retail, and the three products stocked here cover the most-bought variants. If you eat gummies at all, you've probably eaten Haribo.
Sour candy fans: Tangfastics is the UK's best-selling sour gummy bag and the natural pick for shoppers who find Goldbears or Starmix too sweet.
Pick-and-mix-in-a-bag buyers: Starmix is essentially a pre-curated pick-and-mix selection in a single bag, which works for shoppers who want variety without choosing each component.
Kids' parties and gifting: the brand is universally recognised and works for party bags, advent calendars, gift hampers and similar use cases. Mainstream rather than novelty.
Cross-shopping with brand alternatives: pairs naturally with our wider gummies and jellies range, alongside Red Band (Dutch alternative) and Gummi King (American alternative).
Buy Haribo online in the UK
All 3 Haribo bags stocked. UK supermarket distribution is at maximum saturation: every major supermarket carries Goldbears, Tangfastics and Starmix as core products. Specialist sweet retailers like us carry them alongside the deeper Haribo catalogue and other gummy brands for shoppers building mixed baskets. Build the basket past £20 to qualify for free UK delivery. Three Haribo bags plus a few additional pick-and-mix items takes you over the threshold. Orders placed before our daily cut-off are dispatched the same working day.
Haribo UK: frequently asked questions
Is Haribo halal?
No, the standard UK Haribo range is not halal certified. Haribo's UK production typically uses gelatine, which is sourced from pork in most variants. Haribo does produce a separate halal-certified range for specific regional markets (notably Turkey and parts of the Middle East), and a smaller selection of UK-produced gummies use beef gelatine. The Goldbears, Tangfastics and Starmix stocked here are all gelatine-based and not formally halal certified for the UK market. Muslim shoppers should look at Peelerz Halal, Bebeto or Shades by Niko for certified alternatives.
Is Haribo vegetarian or vegan?
The standard UK Haribo range is not vegetarian or vegan because of the gelatine content. Haribo runs a separate vegan range (no gelatine, plant-based gelling agents) in some markets including Germany, and the brand has been gradually expanding vegan options through its Goldbears and other lines. The three products stocked here (Goldbears, Tangfastics, Starmix) are all gelatine-based in the UK manufactured product. Vegetarian alternatives in our catalogue include Mike and Ike, Airheads, Sour Patch Kids and Laffy Taffy, all of which use plant-based gelling agents.
Who invented the gummy bear?
Hans Riegel invented the gummy bear in 1922 in Bonn, Germany. The original product was called the Tanzbär (Dancing Bear), inspired by the trained bears that performed at German festivals at the time. Hans Riegel had founded the Haribo company two years earlier, in 1920, and the gummy bear became the brand's signature product that turned a small Bonn confectioner into one of the world's largest sweet manufacturers. Today's Goldbears are a direct descendant of the original 1922 Tanzbär recipe.
What does HARIBO stand for?
HARIBO is an acronym for the founder and the founding location: HAns RIegel BOnn. Hans Riegel founded the company in 1920 in Bonn, Germany, and chose the name as a portmanteau of his own name and the city. The brand has retained the same name for over a hundred years and remains family-owned today, with Riegel descendants still involved in the business through the Haribo holding structure.