Figuring out whether A&W Root Beer is safe for vegans to consume can be a bit tough.
Soft drinks often contain vague ingredients such as “natural colors and flavors,” and even when they do give you a full list, they never include how those ingredients were made.
To ensure that you are only consuming food and drinking beverages that align with your vegan lifestyle and diet, I’ve investigated the ingredients and production process of A&W Root Beer.
Here’s what I found out.
Is A&W Root Beer Vegan?
Yes! A&W Root Beer is a vegan-friendly brand.
A&W Root Beer is a popular drink that many people enjoy. And luckily, vegans are one of them. Vegans can enjoy this delicious beverage without having to worry about any animal products being used in its production.
The main ingredients in A&W Root Beer are carbonated water, caramel color, sodium benzoate, and artificial and natural flavors. None of these ingredients contain any animal products or by-products, making A&W Root Beer suitable for vegans.
They do, however, have one product, the Root Beer Fountain, that contains cane sugar. Sugar is, of course, plant based, but most sugar is processed using bone char. Unless the cane sugar in this product is labeled “organic,” “raw,” or “unrefined,” it’s likely that it was processed using bone char. Good thing this product is only available in select areas.
In addition, based on their allergen and ingredient sensitivities page, A&W Root Beer does not contain any of the common allergens, a list that includes some common non-vegan ingredients. This means that A&W Root Beer is not only vegan but also free from some of the most common allergens, such as milk, soy, wheat, and nuts.
Is A&W Root Beer Cruelty Free?
Yes! A&W Root Beer is cruelty free.
The product is not tested on animals at any point during production. However, they do have one product (Root Beer Fountain) that uses the artificial color Red 40.
Artificial colors like Red 40 are often tested on animals in order to assess their safety for human use. Good thing A&W Root Beer fountain is their only product that uses this ingredient, and it’s not available in all areas.
Animal testing is a gruesome and inhumane practice that many companies still use today, despite the availability of alternative methods.
What Is A&W Root Beer Made Of?
Here are the ingredients of A&W Root Beer:
- Carbonated water
- Caramel color
- Cane sugar (A&W Root Beer Fountain only)
- Sodium benzoate (preservative)
- Natural and artificial flavors
- Citric acid
- Yucca extract
- Aspartame (diet versions)
- Acesulfame potassium
- Quillaia extract
- High fructose corn syrup (non-diet versions)
- Malic acid
- Phosphoric acid (A&W Root Beer Fountain only)
- Red #40 (A&W Root Beer Fountain only)
- Corn syrup (A&W Root Beer Fountain only)
- Sodium saccharin (A&W Root Beer Fountain only)
- Dimethylpolysiloxane (A&W Root Beer Fountain only)
These ingredients are either added or removed depending on their flavor but these are all used in making A&W Root Beer products.
Let’s break down each ingredient of A&W Root Beer:
Carbonated water
Carbonated water is water that has been infused with carbon dioxide gas under pressure. This results in the formation of bubbles, which is why carbonated water is often called sparkling water or soda water. It is a vegan ingredient.
Caramel color
Caramel color is a food coloring that is made by heating carbohydrates, such as glucose or sugar. Caramel color is a vegan ingredient.
Cane sugar
Cane sugar is plant based, but the majority of sugar is processed with bone char to make it white. Unless the sugar is labeled “organic,” “raw,” or “unrefined,” it is likely not vegan. A&W uses cane sugar in its root beer fountain.
High fructose corn syrup
High fructose corn syrup (HFCS) is a type of corn syrup that has been processed to contain higher levels of fructose. HFCS is often used as a sweetener in processed foods and beverages. It is a vegan ingredient.
Sodium benzoate (preservative)
Sodium benzoate is a preservative that is used to prevent the growth of bacteria and mold. It is a vegan ingredient.
Natural and artificial flavors
These flavors are added to food and beverages to enhance their flavor. Natural flavors are derived from plant or animal sources, while artificial ones are created in a laboratory. Natural flavors can be vegan or non-vegan depending on their source, while artificial flavors are vegan ingredients.
In this case, their natural flavor is likely from a plant-based source given the nature of the product.
Quillaia extract
Quillaia extract is a plant extract that is used as a foaming agent. It is a vegan ingredient.
Citric acid
Citric acid is an organic compound that is found in citrus fruits. It is used to add an acidic flavor to food and beverages. Citric acid is a vegan ingredient.
Yucca extract
Yucca extract is a plant extract that is used as a foaming agent. It is a vegan ingredient.
Aspartame
Aspartame is an artificial sweetener that is used in place of sugar. It is a vegan ingredient.
Acesulfame potassium
Acesulfame potassium (acesulfame K) is a zero-calorie artificial sweetener that is used in place of sugar. Acesulfame potassium is a vegan ingredient.
Malic acid
Malic acid is an organic compound found in fruits and vegetables. It is used to add a sour flavor to food and beverages. Malic acid is a vegan ingredient.
Phosphoric acid
Phosphoric acid is a mineral acid that is used to add a sour flavor to food and beverages. Phosphoric acid is a vegan ingredient.
Red #40
Red #40 is a synthetic food coloring that is made from coal tar, a coal by-product. It is a vegan ingredient.
Corn syrup
Corn syrup is a type of sugar that is made from corn. Corn syrup is used as a sweetener and thickening agent in food and beverages. Corn syrup is a vegan ingredient.
Sodium saccharin
Sodium saccharin is an artificial sweetener used in place of sugar. It is low in calories, meaning it can be a good choice for people who are trying to lose weight. Sodium saccharin is a vegan ingredient.
Dimethylpolysiloxane
Dimethylpolysiloxane (DMPS) is a silicone-based compound that is used as an anti-foaming agent in food and beverages. Dimethylpolysiloxane is a vegan ingredient.
Why Is A&W Root Beer Vegan?
A&W Root Beer is vegan because all of the ingredients are either plant based or synthetic. There are no animal products or by-products in any of the ingredients. Other root beers often use honey or beeswax as sweeteners, but A&W uses either sugar, high fructose corn syrup, or aspartame instead.
The beverage is also soy free, gluten free, and nut free. This makes it a good choice for people with allergies or sensitivities to these ingredients.
Is A&W Zero Sugar Root Beer Vegan?
Yes! A&W Zero Sugar, or A&W’s diet root beer option, is vegan. It does not contain any animal-derived ingredients or common allergens.
This root beer is a vegan product.
Is A&W Root Beer Original Vegan?
Yes! A&W Root Beer is vegan. It does not have animal-derived ingredients or common allergens. It is sweetened with high fructose corn syrup instead of sugar.
This root beer is safe for vegan consumption.
Is A&W Zero Sugar Cream Soda Vegan?
Yes! A&W Zero Sugar Cream Soda is vegan. It does not contain any animal ingredients or common allergens. Instead, it is sweetened with aspartame.
This root beer is safe for vegan consumption.
Is A&W Root Beer Fountain Vegan?
No. A&W Root Beer Fountain contains cane sugar, an ingredient that is very likely processed with animal bone char, making it non-vegan.
This root beer is not a vegan-friendly product.
Is A&W Cream Soda Vegan?
Yes! A&W Cream Soda is vegan. It does not have any animal-derived ingredients or common allergens. It is sweetened with HFCS instead of sugar.
This root beer is safe for vegans to consume.
How About Other Popular Root Beer Brands?
There are many other root beer brands on the market, but not all of them are vegan. Bundaberg, Abita, and Barq’s are all vegan friendly but Mug Root Beer contains sugar. As we all know refined sugar is more often than not processed with bone char.
The other brands typically use HFCS, which is a cheaper and vegan-friendly alternative to cane sugar. So, while most root beers are vegan, it’s always best to check the label or contact the company to be sure.
Final Words
So there you have it! A&W’s Root Beer is vegan. You can enjoy this delicious beverage without having to worry about any animal products being used in the product or in its production. Just avoid their “fountain” variety.
If you’re in the mood for some root beer or a root beer float, go ahead and pick up a bottle or two of A&W Root Beer!