Trying to work out whether Daiya is vegan can be a bit tough.
Plant-based products often hide their ingredients behind vague terms such as “natural flavors,” and even if they do provide a list of ingredients, deciphering whether they’re indeed vegan can be like trying to read ancient hieroglyphs.
To ensure that you’re only eating food that aligns with your vegan diet and lifestyle, I’ve investigated Daiya’s ingredients and production process.
Here’s what I found out.
Is Daiya Vegan?
Yes! Daiya is a vegan brand.
Daiya Foods is most known for its plant-based cheese alternative made from tapioca and coconut oils. The brand is as vegan as they come, and all of its products are dairy free, soy free, gluten free, and cholesterol free.
Daiya is also pretty up front about what’s in its products. The company uses simple, easy-to-understand ingredients, which is always a good sign.
What’s more, Daiya is certified by Vegan Action, an organization that verifies products are free from animal ingredients and by-products.
So, if you’re looking for a delicious and cruelty-free cheese alternative, Daiya is definitely the brand for you!
Is Daiya Cruelty Free?
Daiya is cruelty free.
Daiya itself does not test its products on animals at any point in the production process nor does it use ingredients that are tested on animals, such as artificial colors or flavors.
Daiya, however, had a bit of a controversy in 2017 when it was acquired by Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co. Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co is a Japanese company that does test on animals, so many vegans were, naturally, upset about the acquisition.
But Daiya has stated that it will continue to be a cruelty-free company and that its products will not be tested on animals now or in the future.
Animal testing is a cruel and outdated practice that I hope will soon be a thing of the past. Until then, I’m happy to see that companies like Daiya are leading the way in creating delicious and ethical products.
What Is Daiya Made Of?
Here are the ingredients of Daiya Italian 4 Cheeze Flavor Blend Shreds:
- Filtered water
- Tapioca flour
- Coconut oil
- Expeller-pressed safflower oil
- Chickpea protein
- Natural flavors
- Salt
- Tricalcium phosphate
- Lactic acid
- Konjac flour
- Xanthan gum
- Fruit and/or vegetable juice color
- Yeast extract
Let’s break down each ingredient of Daiya vegan cheese:
Filtered water
Filtered water is water that has been treated to remove impurities. It is used to dissolve other ingredients and to keep the product moist. Filtered water is a vegan ingredient.
Tapioca flour
Tapioca flour is a type of flour made from the root of the cassava plant. It is a gluten-free flour that is often used as a replacement for wheat flour. Tapioca flour is a vegan ingredient.
Coconut oil
Coconut oil is an edible oil made from the meat of coconuts. It is a popular vegan ingredient because it is plant-based and has many health benefits.
Expeller-pressed safflower oil
Expeller-pressed safflower oil is a type of vegetable oil that is made from pressing the seeds of the safflower plant. This oil is high in monounsaturated fats and is a vegan ingredient.
Chickpea protein
Chickpea protein is a type of protein made from legume chickpeas, also known as garbanzo beans. It is a vegan-friendly protein that is often used to replace animal-based proteins.
Natural flavors
Natural flavors are flavors that are derived from plants or animals. In the case of Daiya cheese, the natural flavors are derived from plants.
Salt
Salt is a type of mineral that is used to add flavor or preserve food. It is a vegan ingredient.
Tricalcium phosphate
Tricalcium phosphate is a white powder that is often used as a calcium supplement. It is a vegan ingredient.
Lactic acid
Lactic acid is a type of organic acid that is produced by the fermentation of carbohydrates. It is used as a preservative and to add flavor. Lactic acid is a vegan ingredient.
Konjac flour
Konjac flour is a type of flour made from the root of the konjac plant. It is a vegan ingredient that is often used as a thickener.
Xanthan gum
Xanthan gum is a type of polysaccharide that is made by fermentation of glucose. It is used as a thickener or emulsifier. Xanthan gum is a vegan ingredient.
Fruit and/or vegetable juice color
Fruit and vegetable juice color is a type of natural food coloring made from fruits and vegetables. In the case of Daiya cheese, the fruit and vegetable juice color is derived from carrots.
Yeast extract
Yeast extract is a type of seasoning made from yeast cells. It is used to add flavor. Yeast is a vegan ingredient.
Why Is Daiya Vegan?
Daiya is vegan because it is a vegan brand. It is a company that caters primarily to vegans and vegetarians. It produces and promotes vegan-friendly products as its main business. All of the ingredients in Daiya products are plant based and completely free of any animal-based ingredients. Daiya is also certified by Vegan Action, which is a nonprofit organization that promotes veganism. You can’t get much more vegan than that!
This company’s commitment to veganism is quite evident in everything from its ingredients to its certifications, so, yes, Daiya is a vegan company.
Is Daiya Gluten-Free Supreme Pizza Vegan?
Yes! Daiya Gluten-Free Supreme Pizza is vegan. It contains only vegan-friendly ingredients.
This pizza is safe for vegan consumption.
Is Daiya Homestyle Breakfast Burrito Vegan?
Yes! Daiya’s Homestyle Breakfast Burrito is vegan. It does not contain any animal-derived ingredients.
This burrito is safe for vegan consumption.
Is Daiya Mac & Cheese Vegan?
Yes! Daiya Mac & Cheese is vegan. It does not contain any animal-derived ingredients.
This vegan mac & cheese is totally safe for vegan consumption.
Is Daiya Cutting Board Parmesan Flavor Shreds Vegan?
Yes! Daiya Cutting Board Parmesan Flavor Shreds is vegan. It contains only plant-based ingredients.
These non-dairy cheese shreds are safe for vegan consumption.
Is Daiya Strawberry Plant-Based Cheezecake Vegan?
Yes! Strawberry Plant-Based Cheezecake is vegan. It does not contain any animal-derived ingredients.
This cheesecake is safe for vegan consumption.
Is Daiya Cheddar Style Deluxe Sauce Vegan?
Yes! Cheddar Style Deluxe Sauce is vegan. It contains only plant-based ingredients.
This dairy-free cheese sauce is safe for vegan consumption.
Is Daiya Mozzarella Style Shreds Vegan?
Yes! Mozzarella Style Shreds are vegan. They do not contain any animal-derived ingredients.
This cheese is safe for vegan consumption.
Is Daiya Cheddar Style Shreds Vegan?
Yes! Cheddar Style Shreds are vegan. It only contains plant-based ingredients.
This cheese is safe for vegan consumption.
Is Meatless Pepperoni Style with Jalapeno Vegetable Crust Pizza Vegan?
Yes! The Meatless Pepperoni Style with Jalapeno Vegetable Crust Pizza is vegan. They do not contain any animal-derived ingredients.
This pizza is suitable for vegan consumption.
Final Words
So, there you have it! Daiya is a vegan-friendly brand because all of its products are free from animal-derived ingredients. In addition, they are certified by Vegan Action, which is a nonprofit organization that verifies and promotes vegan products.
So, next time you’re looking for a delicious and cruelty-free meal, be sure to check out Daiya!