Figuring out whether Capri Sun is safe for vegans to consume can be a bit tough.
Fruit juice beverages often mask their ingredients with vague terms such as “natural flavors,” and even if they give you a full list, they’re not always transparent about what those ingredients actually are.
To ensure that you are only consuming food that aligns with your vegan diet and ethics, I’ve looked into the ingredients and production processes of Capri Sun.
Here’s what I found.
Are Capri Suns Vegan?
Yes and no. Capri Sun may or may not be vegan depending on where you bought it.
Capri Sun is owned by Capri Sun Group Holding in Germany, though it is distributed by other companies worldwide. The ingredients in Capri Sun are water, sugar, fruit juice (from concentrate), citric acid, and sodium citrate.
Capri Sun does not use any animal-derived products in its drinks or in the production process, but it does contain sugar.
Sugar is plant based, but in the US it is often processed with animal bone char, a filter that bleaches sugar to give it its white appearance.
It is the opposite in the UK, where sugar is almost always vegan.
So, essentially, whether it is vegan depends on where the Capri Sun is made.
If you’re in the UK, Capri Sun is 100% vegan, they even say so on their website.
But if you are in the US, you’re out of luck, Capri Sun is very likely not vegan because of the sugar.
Capri Sun does have sugar-free or organic varieties that are vegan, including Capri Sun Organic, Capri Sun 100% Juice, and Capri Sun Refreshers, so if you’re in the US and you’re looking for a vegan Capri Sun, be sure to grab those.
Is Capri Sun Cruelty-Free?
Yes! Capri Sun is a cruelty-free brand.
The company does not test its products on animals at any stage of production nor do they contain ingredients that are tested on animals, such as artificial colors and flavors.
Animal testing is a cruel and outdated practice that often leaves innocent animals disfigured, in pain, or dead. It appears that Capri Sun does not support this kind of animal abuse.
What Are Capri Suns Made Of?
Here are the ingredients of the Orange flavor Capri Sun in the US:
- Filtered water
- Sugar
- Apple juice concentrate
- Orange juice concentrate
- Citric acid
- Natural flavor
Let’s break down each ingredient of Capri Suns:
Filtered water
Filtered water is water that has been passed through a filter to remove impurities. Filtered water is vegan.
Sugar
Sugar is a type of carbohydrate that comes from plants. It is often used as a sweetener in food and drinks. Sugar is naturally vegan, however, some sugar is processed with bone char making it unsuitable for vegans. In the US, only sugar labeled “organic,” “raw,” or “unfiltered” will be vegan.
Apple juice concentrate
Apple juice concentrate is a type of fruit juice that has had the water removed. It is made by cooking apples down and then removing the water content. Apple juice concentrate is vegan.
Orange juice concentrate
Orange juice concentrate is a type of fruit juice that has had the water removed. It is made by cooking oranges down and then removing the water content. Orange juice concentrate contains vitamin C and is vegan.
Citric acid
Citric acid is a type of organic acid that is found in citrus fruits. It is often used as a preservative or to add an acidic flavor to food and drinks. Citric acid is vegan.
Natural flavor
Natural flavor consists of extracts from plants or animals that are used to add flavor to food and drinks. Natural flavors can be derived from a plant or animal source. In this case, the natural flavor is most likely plant based given the nature of the product (fruit juice).
Why Is Capri Sun Vegan?
Not all varieties of Capri Sun are vegan, but a few are because the recipe is technically vegan. It has basic and natural plant-based ingredients. The only problematic ingredient in Capri Sun is refined sugar, which can be vegan or non-vegan depending on the country you bought it from, and the variety.
Sugar in the US is more often than not processed with bone char, making it non-vegan. However, in the UK, sugar is almost always vegan. So, if you’re drinking Capri Sun in the UK, you can be sure that it is vegan. But if you’re drinking it in the US, it’s probably not vegan.
They do have three varieties that are vegan, so make sure to grab those if you’re in the US and looking for a Capri Sun vegan option.
Is Capri Sun Tropical Punch Juice Drink Vegan?
No. In the US, Capri Sun’s Tropical flavor contains non-vegan sugar.
This fruit drink is not safe for vegan consumption.
Is Capri Sun Adventures Passion Fruit Mango Juice Drink Vegan?
No. This variety contains refined sugar.
This fruit drink is not safe for vegan consumption.
Is Capri Sun Roarin’ Waters Grape Geyser Juice Drink Vegan?
No. This variety contains refined, non-vegan sugar.
This fruit drink is not safe for vegan consumption.
Is Capri Sun Organic Strawberry Lemonade Juice Drink Vegan?
Yes! This organic fruit juice is vegan because it uses organic ingredients.
This fruit drink is safe for vegan consumption.
Is Capri Sun 100% Juice Apple Vegan?
Yes! This all-natural apple fruit juice is vegan. It does not contain added sugars.
This fruit drink is a vegan product.
Vegan Capri Sun Beverages (US)
100% Juice
- Apple
- Fruit Punch
- Berry
- Watermelon
- Grape
Organic Juice
- Tropical Punch
- Grape
- Fruit Punch
- Apple
- Strawberry Lemonade
Final Words
So, there you have it! Capri Sun may or may not be vegan depending on where you are in the world and which variety you choose. If you’re in the US, Capri Sun does have vegan varieties that you can enjoy. If you’re in the UK, all varieties of Capri Sun are vegan. But, as always, it’s best to check the ingredients list to be sure.