Determining whether a particular product is vegan can often be a tricky process. The main reason for this complexity stems from manufacturers who cloak the nature and sources of their ingredients. This article seeks to demystify this opacity, providing you the information you need to uphold your admirable commitment to a vegan lifestyle.
Is Costco’s Pumpkin Pie Vegan?
Costco’s Pumpkin Pie is not vegan. The ingredients that specifically make it non-vegan include eggs and milk, which are both animal products. These are used in significant amounts in the pumpkin pie filling, an integral part of everyone’s favorite treat, which unfortunately makes this beloved Costco pumpkin pies non-vegan.
Is Costco Pumpkin Pie Cruelty-Free?
No, Costco pumpkin pie is not cruelty-free. It contains several ingredients that are probably from GMOs, which are tested on animals. That includes sugar, starch, soybean oil, and vegetable oil. Nothing that contains GMOs can be considered cruelty-free.
What Is Costco’s Pumpkin Pie Made Of?
Costco’s pumpkin pie has a long list of ingredients that give it its distinctive taste and texture:
- Pumpkin puree
- Sugar
- Eggs
- Milk
- Salt
- Spices
- Modified food starch
- Water
- Soybean oil
- Wheat flour
- Partially hydrogenated vegetable oil
- Sodium caseinate
Pumpkin Puree
Pumpkin puree is derived from real pumpkins, specifically Dickinson pumpkins, and it forms the basis of the pumpkin pie filling. Pumpkin puree is vegan.
Sugar
Sugar is a sweetener used in pumpkin pie. While it is plant-based, some sugar can be processed using bone char, making it potentially non-vegan. The source of the sugar in Costco’s pumpkin pie is not specified.
Eggs
Eggs are used to help bind the ingredients together and contribute to the pie’s texture. Eggs are not vegan because they are an animal product.
Milk
Milk is another animal product used in Costco’s pumpkin pie, primarily in the pie filling. This is not vegan.
Other Ingredients
Other ingredients include salt, spices, modified food starch, water, soybean oil, wheat flour, partially hydrogenated vegetable oil, and sodium caseinate. While some of these ingredients can be vegan, sodium caseinate is derived from milk, making it non-vegan.
Vegan Alternatives to Costco’s Pumpkin Pie
Thankfully, for those dedicated to a vegan lifestyle, there are many delicious alternatives to Costco’s pumpkin pie. These range from homemade recipes that substitute non-vegan ingredients with vegan ones to ready-made vegan pumpkin pies available in stores or online. Some specific alternatives include:
- Homemade Vegan Pumpkin Pie: You can use canned pumpkin, sugar substitutes, and gluten-free flours combined with vegan milk alternatives and egg replacers. Try this popular recipe from It Doesn’t Taste Like Chicken.
- Whole Foods Market Vegan Pumpkin Pie: A ready-made option that you can buy and enjoy.
- Amy’s Kitchen Gluten Free Dairy Free Vegetable Pot Pie: I know, I know. It’s not a pumpkin pie. But it’s a nice savory alternative to the sweet pumpkin pie.
Conclusion
While Costco’s pumpkin pie is a tasty treat, it unfortunately is not suitable for vegans or those seeking a cruelty-free dessert. The inclusion of milk and eggs in its recipe makes it non-vegan food.
However, don’t despair. Vegan alternative brands are plentiful, allowing you to enjoy the pumpkin spice season without compromising your commitment to veganism.
Remember, every vegan choice you make is a powerful message for the health of our planet and all those who live on it. So keep making the world a better place, one vegan pie at a time.