Trying to figure out if Fruit Roll-Ups are vegan can be a bit of a challenge.
Fruit snack brands often mask their ingredients behind vague terms such as “natural flavors,” and even when they do provide a full list of ingredients, it can be difficult to determine which ones are actually vegan.
To make sure that you’re only eating food that aligns with your vegan lifestyle, I’ve looked into the ingredients and production processes of Fruit Roll-Ups.
Here’s what I found.
Are Fruit Roll-Ups Vegan?
No. Fruit Roll-Ups are not vegan.
Fruit Roll-Ups are fruit-flavored snacks made by General Mills. It is one of the very few gummy treats that does not use any gelatin. They’re mostly fruit juice, food color, and sweeteners.
However, vegans will not be able to enjoy this treat because it contains refined sugar and monoglycerides.
Refined sugar is considered non-vegan because, in the US at least, it is often processed using bone char, a type of charcoal that is made from the bones of animals and is commonly used on sugar to filter and whiten them. Unless sugar is labeled as “raw,” “organic,” or “unrefined,” it is probably not vegan.
Monoglycerides can be sourced from either plants or animals. However, most commercially used monoglycerides come from animals because they are cheaper to produce.
These ingredients make Fruit Roll-Ups not vegan.
Are Fruit Roll-Ups Cruelty-Free?
No. Fruit Roll-Ups are not cruelty-free.
Fruit Roll-Ups are not tested on animals at any point of their production. However, they contain artificial colors, Red 40, Yellows 5 & 6, and Blue 1, which are all regularly tested on animals.
Animal testing is an outdated and inhumane practice that should be stopped. These tests are conducted to assess the safety of these ingredients for human consumption. These tests often leave innocent animals maimed, sick, or dead.
There are alternative methods of safety testing that don’t involve animals and are just as effective, if not more so. So food brands don’t really have any excuse to continue this inhumane practice.
What Are Fruit Roll-Ups Made Of?
Here are the ingredients of Fruit Roll-Ups Variety Pack:
- Corn syrup
- Sugar
- Pear puree
- Maltodextrin
- Palm and/or palm kernel oil
- Citric acid
- Sodium citrate
- Monoglycerides
- Fruit pectin
- Malic acid
- Vitamin C (ascorbic acid)
- Natural flavor
- Color (red 40, yellows 5 & 6, blue 1)
Let’s break down each ingredient of Fruit Roll-Ups:
Corn syrup
Corn syrup is a sweetener made from corn that is often used in processed foods. It is made by breaking down cornstarch into glucose and then turning it into syrup. Corn syrup is vegan.
Sugar
Refined cane sugar is a sweetener made from sugarcane or sugar beet. It is often processed using bone char, a type of charcoal that is made from the bones of animals. Bone char is commonly used on sugar to whiten it. Unless sugar is labeled as “raw,” “organic,” or “unrefined,” it is not considered vegan.
Pear puree concentrate
Pear puree concentrate is a smooth paste made from pears. It can be used in baby food, as a spread, or to add flavor and sweetness to food. Pear puree concentrate is vegan.
Maltodextrin
Maltodextrin is a white powder that is made from starch. It is often used as a thickener or filler in processed foods. Maltodextrin is vegan.
Palm oil
Palm oil is a type of vegetable oil that is extracted from the fruit of the palm tree. It is often used in processed foods, cosmetics, and cleaning products. Palm oil is vegan.
Palm kernel oil
Palm kernel oil is a type of vegetable oil that is extracted from the seeds of the palm tree. It is often used in processed foods and cosmetics. Palm kernel oil is vegan.
Citric acid
Citric acid is a sour flavoring agent that is made from citrus fruits. It is often used in processed foods, candy, and soft drinks. Citric acid is vegan.
Sodium citrate
Sodium citrate is a salt that is made from citric acid. It is often used as a preservative or emulsifier in processed foods. Sodium citrate is vegan.
Monoglycerides
Monoglycerides can be sourced from either plants or animals, but most commercially used monoglycerides come from animals because they are cheaper to produce. Monoglycerides are not vegan friendly.
Fruit pectin
Fruit pectin is a type of fiber that is made from fruits. It is often used as a thickener or stabilizer in processed foods. Fruit pectin is vegan.
Malic acid
Malic acid is a sour flavoring agent that is made from apples. It is often used in processed foods, candy, and soft drinks. Malic acid is vegan.
Vitamin C (ascorbic acid)
Vitamin C is an essential nutrient that can be found in many fruits and vegetables. It is often used as a dietary supplement. Vitamin C is vegan.
Natural flavor
Natural flavors are made from natural ingredients and can be either plant based or animal based. The natural flavors in Fruit Roll-Ups are likely vegan because of the fruit-flavored nature of the product.
Color (Red 40, Yellows 5 & 6, Blue 1)
Artificial colors are made from either natural or synthetic ingredients. The colors of Fruit Roll-Ups are made from synthetic ingredients (petroleum based) and are vegan friendly but not cruelty-free.
Why Aren’t Fruit Roll-Ups Vegan?
Fruit Roll-Ups are not vegan because they contain refined sugar and monoglycerides. Refined sugar is often processed with bone char and monoglycerides are typically sourced from animals because they are cheaper to produce. These two ingredients make Fruit Roll-Ups unsuitable for a vegan diet.
Are Fruit Roll-Ups Strawberry Sensation Vegan?
No. Fruit Roll-Ups Strawberry Sensation contain refined sugar and monoglycerides.
This fruit snack candy is not safe for vegan consumption.
Are Fruit Roll-Ups Jolly Rancher Vegan?
No. Fruit Roll-Ups Jolly Rancher contain refined sugar and monoglycerides.
These fruit rolls are not safe for vegan consumption.
Are Fruit Roll-Ups Blastin’ Berry Hot Colors Vegan?
No. Fruit Roll-Ups Blastin’ Berry Hot Colors contain refined sugar and monoglycerides.
This fruit leather snack is not safe for vegan consumption.
Are Fruit Roll-Ups Sour Vegan?
No. Fruit Roll-Ups Sour contain refined sugar and monoglycerides.
This fruit snack product is not safe for vegan consumption.
Are Fruit Roll-Ups Tropical Tie-Dye Vegan?
No. Fruit Roll-Ups Strawberry Sensation contain refined sugar and monoglycerides.
This fruit snack product is not safe for vegan consumption.
Vegan Alternatives to Fruit Roll-Ups
If you’re in the mood for some fruit snacks but want to stick to a vegan diet, there are plenty of delicious and healthier alternatives to Fruit Roll-Ups. Here are some of my favorites:
- Annie’s Organic Fruit Tape, Swirly Strawberry
- BEAR Fruit Snack Rolls Mango
- BEAR Fruit Snack Rolls Raspberry
- Stretch Island Fruit Leathers, Raspberry
- Stretch Island Strawberry Original Fruit Leather Snacks
- Candy Club Gourmet Gummy Blue Razz Sour Belts
These are all vegan-friendly fruit snacks that are similar to Fruit Roll-Ups. You can find them online or at your local grocery store. So next time you’re in the mood for a sweet and fruity snack, reach for one of these vegan alternatives to Fruit Roll-Ups.
Alternatively, you can make homemade fruit roll-ups. Here are some recipes for vegan homemade fruit roll-ups:
- Strawberry Peach Fruit Roll Ups from One Green Planet
- Easy Homemade Fruit Roll Ups from Cotter Crunch
Try these recipes and you can even make your fruit roll ups healthy, which can’t really be said of Betty Crocker’s fruit snacks.
Final Words
So there you have it! Fruit Roll-Ups are not vegan because they contain refined cane sugar and monoglycerides. However, there are plenty of vegan-friendly alternative fruit snacks available. You don’t have to miss out on this classic childhood snack. Just be sure to check the ingredients before you buy to make sure they didn’t sneak any animal products in there.