Trying to work out whether Fritos Honey BBQ Twists are vegan friendly can be difficult.
Makers of snack chips often mask their ingredients behind vague terms such as “natural and artificial flavors,” and even when they do provide a full list of ingredients, it can be hard to tell if they’re vegan.
To make sure that you’re only eating food that aligns with your vegan lifestyle and diet, I’ve investigated the ingredients and production processes of Fritos Honey BBQ Twists.
Here’s what I found.
Are Fritos Honey BBQ Twists Vegan?
No. Fritos Honey BBQ Flavor Twists are not vegan.
Flavor Twists Honey BBQ corn chips are making their way to people’s hearts—or at least taste buds—all over the world. Regrettably, vegans can’t partake because these chips are not vegan.
These corn chips are fried and then coated in a sweet and smoky barbecue-flavored seasoning that contains honey. Vegans exclude honey from their diets because it’s an animal by-product.
Additionally, they contain refined sugar, brown sugar, and molasses.
Sugar is naturally vegan, but it’s often processed using bone char (animal bones that have been charred) to filter it and make it white.
Unless products use organic sugar, unrefined or raw, bone char was probably a part of the process.
These ingredients make it clear that Fritos Honey BBQ Twists are not vegan.
Are Fritos Honey BBQ Twists Cruelty-Free?
No. Honey BBQ Fritos are not cruelty-free.
Fritos Honey BBQ corn chips are not tested on animals at any stage of production, but they contain artificial colors, which are routinely tested on animals to make sure they’re safe for human consumption.
Animal testing is a cruel and outdated practice that often leaves innocent animals disfigured, maimed, or dead. There are alternative methods of testing the safety of ingredients that don’t involve animals, so there’s no excuse for brands to still be using animals in their testing process.
What Are Fritos Flavor Twists Honey BBQ Made Of?
Here are the ingredients of Honey BBQ Fritos:
- Corn
- Corn oil
- Salt
- Maltodextrin (made from corn)
- Sugar
- Brown sugar
- Onion powder
- Monosodium glutamate
- Dextrose
- Honey solids
- Spices
- Tomato powder
- Molasses solids
- Yeast extract
- Artificial color (Yellow 5 lake, Yellow 6 lake, Blue 2 Lake, Red 40, Yellow 5, Blue 1)
- Natural and artificial flavors
- Garlic powder
- Cornstarch
- Citric acid
- Disodium inosinate
- Disodium guanylate
Let’s break down each ingredient of Honey BBQ Fritos:
Corn
Corn is a cereal grain that is grown worldwide and can be found in many products, including tortillas, chips, popcorn, cereals, and more. Corn is vegan.
Corn oil
Corn oil is a vegetable oil that is extracted from the germ of corn kernels. It is used in cooking and baking. Corn oil is vegan.
Salt
Salt is a mineral used to add flavor or preserve food products. Salt is vegan.
Maltodextrin (made from corn])
Maltodextrin is a white powder that is made from starchy foods, such as corn, potatoes, or rice. It is used as a thickening agent or to add sweetness. Maltodextrin is vegan.
Sugar
Sugar is a sweet, crystalline substance that is made from sugarcane or sugar beets. It is technically vegan but is often processed with animal bone char to make it whiter. Unless it is specifically labeled “raw,” “organic,” or “unrefined,” it is likely not vegan.
Brown sugar
Brown sugar is cane sugar mixed with molasses. It is used to sweeten or flavor food. Brown sugar is not vegan because the refined sugar that it is made from is often processed with animal bone char.
Onion powder
Onion powder is a seasoning made from ground onions. It is used to add flavor to food. Onion powder is vegan.
Monosodium glutamate
Monosodium glutamate (MSG) is a type of salt that is used to enhance the flavor of food. MSG is vegan.
Dextrose
Dextrose is a type of sugar that is made from cornstarch. It is used to add sweetness or flavor to foods. Dextrose would be vegan if it weren’t also commonly filtered with bone char. It is probably safe for vegans, but for strict vegans, you may want to either avoid it or conduct further research on products containing it.
Honey solids
Honey solids are the dried remains of honey after the water has been removed. Honey is not a vegan ingredient because it is made by bees.
Spices
Spices are dried seeds, fruits, bark, or roots that are used to add flavor to food. Spices are vegan.
Tomato powder
Tomato powder is a seasoning made from dried tomatoes. It is used to add flavor or color to food. Tomato powder is vegan.
Molasses solids
Molasses solids are the dried remains of molasses after the water has been removed. Molasses is a by-product of sugar production and is typically not vegan because the sugar where it comes from is often processed with animal bone char.
Yeast extract
Yeast extract is a food additive that is made from yeast cells. It is used to add flavor or color to food. Yeast extract is vegan.
Artificial color
Artificial color is a food additive that is used to add color to food.
Yellow 5 lake, Yellow 6 lake, and Blue 2 lake are a type of liquid artificial color that is made from petroleum. These artificial colors are vegan.
Natural and artificial flavors
Natural flavors are ingredients that are derived from plants or animals. They’re not always vegan. Artificial flavors are chemicals that are made to mimic the taste or smell of a natural flavor and are vegan.
Garlic powder
Garlic powder is a seasoning made from ground garlic. It is used to add flavor to food. Garlic powder is vegan.
Cornstarch
Cornstarch is a type of starch that is made from corn. It is used as a thickening agent or to add texture. Cornstarch is vegan.
Citric acid
Citric acid is an organic compound that is found in citrus fruits. It is used to add flavor or color to food. Citric acid is vegan.
Disodium inosinate
Disodium inosinate is a type of salt that is made from meat and plant-based sources. In today’s market, it is typically vegan and is sourced from vegetables.
Disodium guanylate
Disodium guanylate is a type of salt that is made from meat and plant-based sources. Like disodium inosinate, it is typically vegan and is sourced from vegetables.
Why Aren’t Honey BBQ Fritos Vegan Friendly?
Honey BBQ Fritos corn chips are not vegan because they contain non-vegan ingredients, including honey and refined sugar. Honey is a food made by bees and is therefore not vegan. Refined sugar is often processed with animal bone char to make it white.
This means that the Fritos Flavor Twists Honey BBQ corn chips are not suitable for vegans. If you’re looking for vegan-friendly corn chips, there are many plant-based chips on the market that can suit your needs.
Are Original Fritos Vegan?
Yes! Original Fritos corn chips are vegan. This is one of the few vegan Fritos flavors that doesn’t contain any animal products or by-products.
Original Fritos chips are safe for vegan consumption.
Are Scoops Spicy Jalapeño Fritos Vegan?
No. Fritos Scoops Spicy Jalapeño contain refined sugar and milk products, such as whey and sour cream.
These Fritos Scoops corn chips are not safe for vegan consumption.
Are Chili Cheese Fritos Vegan?
No. Chili Cheese Fritos contain whey, cheddar cheese, Romano cheese, sugar, buttermilk, and butter.
These corn chips are not safe for vegan consumption.
Are Lightly Salted Fritos Vegan?
Yes! Lightly Salted Fritos are vegan. This is one of the few Fritos flavors that does not contain any non-vegan ingredients.
These corn chips are safe for vegan consumption.
Are Flamin’ Hot Fritos Vegan?
No. Flamin’ Hot Fritos contain cheddar cheese, buttermilk, whey, and Romano cheese.
These corn chips are not safe for vegan consumption.
Vegan Alternatives to Fritos Honey BBQ Twists
If you’re in the mood for some corn chips but don’t want to consume any animal products, there are many corn chips with vegan flavors on the market. Here are some of my favorites:
- Snacklins Barbeque Seasoned Plant Chips
- Simply 7 Quinoa Chips Barbeque
- TERRA Vegetable Chips, Sea Salt
- Popcorners Flex Protein Crisps Barbecue
- Great Value Corn Chips
- HIPPEAS Rockin’ Ranch Tortilla Chips
These vegan-friendly chips are delicious alternatives to Fritos Honey BBQ Twists. You won’t have to miss out on the delicious taste of barbeque chips just because you’re vegan.
Final Words
So, there you have it! Fritos Honey BBQ Twists are not vegan because they contain honey and refined sugar. However, there are plenty of vegan-friendly chips on the market that contain no non-vegan ingredients. The ones I’ve listed above will let you enjoy the taste of barbeque chips without having to worry about consuming any animal products. Have fun!