Which ingredient in hard candies must be verified for kosher compliance?

In hard candies, gelatin is a critical ingredient that requires verification for kosher compliance because it can be derived from various sources, some of which may not align with kosher dietary laws. Gelatin is commonly made from the collagen extracted from the skin, bones, or connective tissue of animals. If the gelatin comes from non-kosher animals or if the animal was not processed in a kosher manner, the resulting product would also be non-kosher. Consequently, it's essential for those adhering to kosher dietary restrictions to ensure that any gelatin used in candies is certified kosher.

While natural flavors, corn syrup, and artificial colors may also need consideration depending on their sources, they typically have fewer issues regarding kosher compliance compared to gelatin. Natural flavors can often be derived from both plant and animal sources, but many of them are considered kosher. Corn syrup is usually processed from corn, which is inherently kosher. Artificial colors are generally synthesized and can be kosher, but they are less likely to pose a compliance issue than gelatin. Therefore, ensuring the kosher status of gelatin is especially important in the production of hard candies.