Trying to figure out if Egg Beaters are safe for vegans to consume can be challenging.
Processed egg products often contain many ingredients and some of them may be of animal origin.
To ensure that you are only consuming food that aligns with your vegan diet and lifestyle, I’ve looked into the ingredients and production process of Egg Beaters.
Here’s what I found out.
Are Egg Beaters Vegan?
No. Egg Beaters are not a vegan egg alternative.
Egg Beaters are a product of ConAgra Foods, Inc., a company that produces a variety of popular food brands, including Birds Eye, Duncan Hines, and Reddi-wip. Egg Beaters are marketed as an alternative to shell eggs, which they say is a “healthier” option. Unfortunately, they’re not vegan.
From the name itself, you can tell that the main ingredient of Egg Beaters are eggs, or more specifically, egg whites. Egg whites are the clear, viscous liquid that surrounds the yolk inside an eggshell.
They also contain vitamin D3. Vitamin D3 is commonly extracted from lanolin, also known as wool yolk, wool wax, or wool grease, which is a wax released by the sebaceous glands of wool-bearing animals, such as sheep.
So, if you’re hoping that Egg Beaters are a vegan egg alternative, I’m sorry to say that they’re not.
Are Egg Beaters Cruelty-Free?
Yes! Egg Beaters are cruelty-free.
Despite the use of animal ingredients, this product is never tested on animals during the manufacturing process. It also contains no animal-tested additives, such as artificial colors or flavors.
Animal testing is a harsh and obsolete practice that results in the deformity, the misery, and, all too frequently, the death of vulnerable animals. There surely are alternatives to animal testing, therefore there is no reason for any food brands to continue doing it.
Thankfully, Egg Beaters, like other brands with similar policies, do not contribute to such inhumane practices.
What Are Egg Beaters Made Of?
Here are the ingredients of Egg Beaters:
- Egg whites
- Xanthan gum
- Guar gum
- Beta carotene (color)
- Calcium (sulfate)
- Iron (ferric orthophosphate)
- Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol acetate)
- Zinc (sulfate)
- Calcium pantothenate
- Vitamin B2 (riboflavin)
- Vitamin A palmitate
- Vitamin B1 (thiamine mononitrate)
- Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine hydrochloride)
- Vitamin B12
- Folic acid
- Biotin
- Vitamin D3
Let’s break down each ingredient of Egg Beaters:
Egg whites
Egg whites are the clear, viscous liquid that surrounds the yolk inside an eggshell. Egg whites are not vegan.
Xanthan gum
Xanthan gum is a polysaccharide that is usually produced from corn sugar. It is used as a thickener and emulsifier in food products. Xanthan gum is vegan.
Guar gum
Guar gum is a polysaccharide that is derived from the guar bean. It is used as a thickener, emulsifier, and stabilizer in food products. Guar gum is vegan.
Beta carotene
Beta carotene is a yellow-orange pigment found in fruits and vegetables. It is often used as a colorant in food products. Beta carotene is vegan.
Calcium sulfate
Calcium sulfate is a salt that is used as a firming agent in food products. Calcium sulfate is vegan.
Iron (ferric orthophosphate)
Iron is a mineral that is essential for human health. It can be found in many food items, such as beans, lentils, spinach, and fortified cereals. Iron is vegan.
Ferric orthophosphate is a type of iron that is often used as a food additive. It is vegan.
Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol acetate)
Vitamin E is a nutrient that is important for human health. It can be found in many food items, such as nuts, seeds, and vegetable oils. Vitamin E is vegan.
Alpha-tocopherol acetate is a type of vitamin E that is often used as a food additive. It is vegan.
Zinc sulfate
Zinc sulfate is a salt that is used as a dietary supplement. Zinc sulfate is vegan.
Calcium pantothenate
Calcium pantothenate is a type of calcium that is often used as a food additive. It is vegan.
Vitamin B2 (riboflavin)
Vitamin B2 is commonly present in the same foods and is required for the proper function of specific enzymes in the body. Vitamin B2 is vegan.
Riboflavin is a type of vitamin B that is often used as a food additive. It is vegan.
Vitamin A palmitate
Vitamin A palmitate is a type of vitamin A that is often used as a food additive. Vitamin A palmitate is not vegan.
Vitamin B1 (thiamine mononitrate)
Vitamin B1 is required for the proper function of specific enzymes in the body. Vitamin B1 thiamine mononitrate is a type of vitamin B that is often used as a food additive. It is vegan.
Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine hydrochloride)
Vitamin B6 is a water-soluble vitamin that can be found naturally in a variety of foods as well as in foods and supplements. Vitamin B6 pyridoxine hydrochloride is a type of vitamin B that is often used as a food additive. It is vegan.
Vitamin B12
Vitamin B12 is a nutrient that is important for human health. It can be found in many food items, such as fortified cereals and nutritional yeast. Vitamin B12 is vegan.
Folic acid
Folic acid is a water-soluble vitamin that can be found in leafy-green vegetables, legumes, nuts, and fortified foods. Folic acid is vegan.
Biotin
Biotin is a water-soluble vitamin that can be found in eggs, liver, and yeast. Biotin may or may not be vegan depending on the source.
Vitamin D3
Vitamin D3 is commonly extracted from wax released by the sebaceous glands of wool-bearing animals. Vitamin D3 is not vegan.
Why Aren’t Egg Beaters Vegan?
Egg Beaters are not vegan because they contain egg whites and vitamin D3. Eggs are derived from chickens, and vitamin D3 is derived from the wax produced by the sebaceous glands of wool-bearing animals. Both of these ingredients are not vegan.
Are Egg Beaters 100% Egg Whites Vegan?
No. Egg Beaters 100% Egg Whites contain real eggs.
Egg Beaters 100% Egg Whites are not safe for vegan consumption.
Are Egg Beaters Southwestern Style Vegan?
No. Egg Beaters Southwestern Style contain egg whites and vitamin D3.
Egg Beaters Southwestern Style are not safe for vegan consumption.
Are Egg Beaters Original Vegan?
No. Egg Beaters Original contain egg whites and vitamin D3.
Egg Beaters Original are not safe for vegan consumption.
What About Other Egg Products?
There are other egg products on the market that are advertised as being vegan, such as Just Egg and Spero Scrambit. They are also marketed as being healthier than traditional eggs because they are cholesterol-free and lower in calories. But are they vegan?
Is JUST Egg Vegan?
No. JUST Egg is not vegan. Even though JUST egg is plant based, it does contain refined sugar. Sugar is processed using animal bone char to make it white. Unless it is labeled “raw,” “organic,” or “unrefined,” it is probably not vegan.
JUST egg is not safe for vegan consumption.
Is Spero Scramblit Vegan?
Yes. Spero Scramblit is vegan. It is completely plant based and free of animal products! It is made from pepitas, or pumpkin seeds.
Spero Scramblit is safe for vegan consumption.
Vegan Alternatives to Egg Beaters
If you are dying to eat eggs and are looking for a vegan egg substitute, then you’re in luck because there are plenty of plant-based and vegan egg substitutes on the market. Here are a few of my favorites:
These egg substitutes are vegan and can be used in place of Egg Beaters. They have the same texture, flavor, and nutrients as Egg Beaters without the use of real eggs or Vitamin D3.
Final Words
So there you have it! The answer to the question “Are Egg Beaters Vegan?” is no. They’re not vegan because they contain egg whites and vitamin D3, both of which are not vegan friendly. However, there are many plant-based and vegan egg substitutes available on the market that can be used in place of Egg Beaters. So, go forth and scramble some vegan eggs today!