Is Crystal Light Vegan & Cruelty Free? (April, 2024)

Figuring out whether Crystal Light is safe for vegans to consume can be a bit tough.

Manufacturers of powdered drinks often mask their ingredients behind vague terms such as “natural flavors,” and even if they do provide a full list of what’s included, deciphering whether each component is vegan can be tricky.

To make sure that you are only eating food that aligns with your vegan diet and lifestyle, I’ve investigated the ingredients and production processes of Crystal Light.

Here’s what I found out.

Is Crystal Light Vegan?

Yes! Crystal Light is a vegan product.

Crystal Light is a line of powdered and liquid drink mixes owned by Kraft Heinz. They are mostly made with natural and artificial flavors, artificial sweeteners (sucralose, acesulfame potassium), and vitamins and minerals. The brand does not use any animal products in the production of most of its drink mixes, making them quite suitable for vegans!

However, their Pure variety uses refined sugar along with stevia leaf extract for sweetening. Sugar is technically vegan but is often processed using animal bone char.

Bone char is a black, porous, and brittle type of charcoal. It is made from the bones of animals and is used to make sugar white. Unless the sugar is specifically labeled as “raw,” “organic,”
or “unrefined,” it is likely that bone char was used in its processing.

So, while the regular Crystal Light varieties are vegan, its Pure line is not.

Is Crystal Light Cruelty Free?

No. Crystal Light is not cruelty free.

Crystal Light is not tested on animals at any point in its production. However, it does contain artificial colors that are routinely tested on animals.

Animal testing is an inhumane and outdated practice that makes animals suffer for the sake of human consumption and consumerism. In today’s day and age, many alternative methods exist that don’t involve harming animals.

Hopefully in the future Crystal Light will ditch the artificial colors and join the ranks of other cruelty-free brands.

What Is Crystal Light Made Of?

Here are the ingredients of Crystal Light Classic Orange:

Citric acid
Calcium phosphate
Maltodextrin
Ascorbic acid (vitamin C)
Aspartame (phenylketonurics: contains phenylalanine)
Maltitol
Natural flavor
Calcium carbonate
Magnesium oxide
Acesulfame potassium
Xanthan and cellulose gums
Soy lecithin
Artificial color
Yellow 5 lake
Yellow 5
Red 40

Let’s break down each ingredient of Crystal Light Classic Orange:

Citric acid

Citric acid is a sour-tasting, colorless crystal that occurs naturally in citrus fruits. It’s also found in smaller amounts in other fruits and vegetables, such as tomatoes, grapes, and berries. Citric acid is a vegan ingredient.

Calcium phosphate

Calcium phosphate is a white powdery substance that is used as a food additive. It’s an essential mineral that helps form bones and teeth. It’s also found in some vegan foods, such as tofu, beans, and grains. Calcium phosphate is a vegan ingredient.

Maltodextrin

Maltodextrin is a white powdery substance that is derived from starch. It’s often used as a food additive or filler because it’s inexpensive and has a neutral taste. Maltodextrin is a vegan ingredient.

Ascorbic acid (vitamin C)

Ascorbic acid is a white powdery substance that occurs naturally in citrus fruits. It’s also synthetically produced and added to food as a preservative or to enhance flavor. Ascorbic acid is a vegan ingredient.

Aspartame (phenylketonurics: contains phenylalanine)

Aspartame is an artificial sweetener that is used in many diet sodas and sugar-free foods. Aspartame is a vegan ingredient.

Phenylalanine is an amino acid that’s found in beans and seeds. It’s also synthetically produced and added to food as a sweetener. Phenylalanine is a vegan ingredient.

Maltitol

Maltitol is a sugar alcohol that’s often used as a sugar substitute. It’s made from maltose, which is derived from starch. Maltitol is a vegan ingredient.

Natural flavor

Natural flavors are generally extracts of plant or animal origin. In the case of Crystal Light, the natural flavors are most likely derived from plants. Natural flavors are vegan ingredients.

Calcium carbonate

Calcium carbonate is a white powdery substance that is used as a food additive. It’s an essential mineral that helps form bones and teeth. Calcium carbonate is a vegan ingredient.

Magnesium oxide

Magnesium oxide is a white powdery substance that is used as a food additive. It’s an essential mineral that helps with maintaining healthy bones. Magnesium oxide is a vegan ingredient.

Acesulfame potassium

Acesulfame potassium is an artificial sweetener that is used in many diet sodas and sugar-free foods. Acesulfame potassium is a vegan ingredient.

Xanthan and cellulose gums

Xanthan gum and cellulose gum are both white powdery substances derived from plants. They’re often used as food additives or thickeners because they have the ability to stabilize emulsions and suspensions. Xanthan gum and cellulose gum are vegan ingredients.

Soy lecithin

Soy lecithin is a yellowish-brownish substance that is derived from soybeans. It’s often used as an emulsifier or lubricant in food. Soy lecithin is a vegan ingredient.

Yellow 5 lake

Yellow 5 lake is a liquid form of the artificial color Yellow 5. Yellow five is a synthetic dye that is used to enhance the appearance of food. Yellow 5 lake is a vegan ingredient, though not cruelty free. It’s tested mainly on mice and rats.

Yellow 5

Yellow 5 is an artificial color that is used to enhance the appearance of food. It’s made from synthetic dyes that are derived from petroleum. Yellow 5 is a vegan ingredient, though not cruelty free. It’s tested mainly on mice and rats.

Red 40

Red 40 is an artificial color that is used to enhance the appearance of food. It’s made from synthetic dyes that are derived from petroleum. Red 40 is a vegan ingredient, though not cruelty free. It’s tested on a wide variety of animals.

Why Is Crystal Light Vegan?

Crystal Light is a vegan product because it does not contain any animal-derived ingredients. All of the ingredients in Crystal Light are derived from plants or minerals. They have one variety, Pure, that is not vegan because it contains refined sugar. The other flavors are all vegan.

Additionally, Crystal Light, with Westbrae Natural Rice Drink and soy milk (Westsoy low-fat soymilk, Westsoy soy shakes) is added to PETA’s list of vegan milk, soda, and other beverages.

So, if you’re looking for a vegan-friendly beverage, Crystal Light is a good option.

Is Crystal Light Classic Cherry Pomegranate Powder Mix Vegan?

Yes! Classic Sugar-Free Cherry Pomegranate powder mix is vegan. It does not contain animal-derived products or by-products.