Are Cracker Jacks Vegan & Cruelty Free? (April, 2024)

Figuring out whether Cracker Jack is vegan can be a bit tough.

Processed foods often contain many ingredients, and some of them may be of animal origin.

To make sure that you’re only eating food that aligns with your vegan diet and ethics, I’ve looked into the ingredients and production processes of Cracker Jack Original Caramel Coated Popcorn & Peanuts.

Here’s what I found.

Are Cracker Jacks Vegan?

No. Cracker Jacks are not vegan.

Cracker Jacks are not vegan because they contain refined sugar and molasses.

To make refined sugar whiter, it is often filtered with bone char, or ground-up animal bones. Unless the product specifies that its sugar is organic, raw, or unrefined, it is unlikely to be suitable for vegan consumption.

Cracker Jacks also contain molasses. Molasses is essentially a by-product of the sugar refining process and is not vegan.

So if you’re looking for a vegan-friendly snack, Cracker Jacks is not the right choice. However, there are many delicious vegan alternatives available that are just as sweet and satisfying.

Are Cracker Jacks Cruelty-Free?

Yes! Cracker Jack Original Caramel Coated Popcorn & Peanuts is a cruelty-free product.

Cracker Jack Caramel Coated Popcorn & Peanuts is not tested on animals at any point in its production. Cracker Jack also does not contain any ingredients that have been tested on animals, such as artificial colors or flavors.

Animal testing is a gruesome and outmoded practice that frequently results in the disfigurement, misery, or death of innocent animals. There are numerous food flavorings and colorings available on the market that do not require animal testing, so there is no reason for any company to continue doing so.

Thankfully, Frito-Lay, the maker of Cracker Jack, does not contribute to this cruelty.

What Are Cracker Jacks Made Of?

Here are the ingredients of Cracker Jacks:

Sugar
Corn syrup
Popcorn
Peanuts
Molasses
Salt
Corn and/or soybean oil
Soy lecithin

Let’s break down each ingredient of Cracker Jacks:

Sugar

Sugar is a type of carbohydrate composed of sucrose molecules. It is often extracted from sugar cane or sugar beets and then refined to create the white granules that you see in many packaged foods.

Sugar is plant based but is often processed using bone char, which is derived from ground-up animal bones. Unless the sugar listed is labeled “organic,” “raw,” or “unrefined,” it is likely not vegan.

Corn syrup

Corn syrup is a liquid sweetener made from cornstarch. It is often used as a cheaper alternative to sugar. It is a vegan-friendly ingredient.

Popcorn

Popcorn is a type of corn kernel that pops when heated. It is a vegan-friendly ingredient.

Peanuts

Peanuts are a type of legume that grows underground. Peanuts are vegan.

Molasses

Molasses is a thick, dark syrup that is a by-product of refining sugar cane or sugar beets into sugar. While molasses is not necessarily of animal origin, the sugar that it comes from is often filtered using bone char. Unless the molasses is labeled “organic,” “raw,” or “unrefined,” it is not vegan.

Salt

Salt is a mineral composed of sodium and chloride molecules. It is vegan.

Corn and/or soybean oil

Corn oil and soybean oil are both types of vegetable oils that are extracted from their respective plants. They are vegan-friendly ingredients.

Soy lecithin

Soy lecithin is a substance derived from soybeans. It is often used as an emulsifier or lubricant in food products. Soy lecithin is vegan.

Why Aren’t Cracker Jacks Vegan?

Cracker Jacks aren’t vegan because they contain refined sugar and molasses, both of which are very likely to be processed using animal bone char.

Bone char is made from the ashes of animal bones. It is used to filter or process sugar to make it whiter.

Molasses is a by-product of sugar refining, so it is also likely not vegan unless the sugar where it came from is processed with a different filtering agent.

Is Crunch ‘n Munch Caramel Popcorn With Peanuts Vegan?

No. Crunch ‘n Munch Caramel Popcorn With Peanuts contains sugar that may be processed using bone char.