Is Fruit by the Foot Vegan & Cruelty Free? (April, 2024)

Figuring out whether Fruit by the Foot is vegan can be difficult.

Fruit snack brands often mask their ingredients behind vague terms such as “natural flavors,” and even when they do provide a full list of ingredients, it can be difficult to determine which ones are vegan.

To ensure that you’re only consuming food that aligns with your vegan lifestyle and diet, I’ve investigated the ingredients and production processes of Fruit by the Foot.

Here’s what I found.

Is Fruit by the Foot Vegan?

No. Fruit by the Foot is not vegan.

Fruit by the Foot is one of the most popular fruit snack brands made by Betty Crocker. It is loved by children and adults alike for its chewy texture and fruity flavors. Sadly, this fruit snack is not suitable for a vegan diet because it contains refined sugar and monoglycerides.

Sugar is naturally vegan, but the problem with refined sugar is that it is often processed using bone char. Bone char is a black, porous material that is made from the bones of cows and other animals. Unless sugar is labeled as “unrefined,” “raw,” or “organic,” refined sugars are probably processed using bone char and, thus, not considered vegan.

Monoglycerides can be either plant or animal based. However, animal sourced ones are more common because they are cheaper to produce.

So, unfortunately, if you are a vegan and you love Fruit by the Foot, you will have to find another fruit snack to satisfy your sweet tooth. Or, better yet, make your own vegan fruit leather! Homemade vegan fruit leather is easy to make and much healthier than the store-bought version.

Is Fruit by the Foot Cruelty Free?

No. Fruit by the Foot is not cruelty free.

Fruit by the Foot is not tested on animals at any point in its production. However, it does contain the artificial colors Red 40 and Blue 1, which are regularly tested on animals.

Animal testing is an outmoded and inhumane practice that should be stopped. It only leaves innocent animals sick, maimed, and dead. There are alternative methods of testing that don’t involve animals and are just as effective. So food brands don’t have any excuse to continue testing on animals.

What Is Fruit by the Foot Made Of?

Here are the ingredients of the Fruit by the Foot Strawberry:

Sugar
Maltodextrin
Corn syrup
Pear puree concentrate
Palm oil
Carrageenan
Citric acid
Monoglycerides
Sodium citrate
Acetylated monoglycerides
Malic acid
Xanthan gum
Vitamin C (ascorbic acid)
Locust bean gum
Potassium citrate
Natural flavor
Red 40

Sugar

Sugar is a carbohydrate that is obtained from sugarcane or sugar beet. Refined sugar is often filtered using bone char. Unless it is labeled as “unrefined,” “raw,” or “organic,” refined sugar is probably not vegan.

Maltodextrin

Maltodextrin is a sugar that is derived from starch. It is often used as a thickener or filler in processed foods. Maltodextrin is vegan.

Corn syrup

Corn syrup is a liquid sweetener that is made from cornstarch. It is also used as a thickener in processed foods. Corn syrup is vegan.

Pear puree concentrate

Pear puree concentrate is a concentrated form of pear puree. Pear puree concentrate is vegan.

Palm oil

Palm oil is a type of vegetable oil that is derived from the fruit of palm trees. Palm oil is vegan.

Carrageenan

Carrageenan is a type of seaweed extract that is often used as a thickener or stabilizer in processed foods. Carrageenan is vegan.

Citric acid

Citric acid is a type of acid that is found in citrus fruits. It is often used as a preservative in processed foods. Citric acid is vegan.

Monoglycerides

Monoglycerides are fatty acids that are derived from glycerol. They can be either plant based or animal based but animal-sourced monoglycerides are more commonly used in the food industry because they are cheaper. Therefore, monoglycerides are not considered vegan.

Sodium citrate

Sodium citrate is a type of salt that is derived from citric acid. It is often used as a preservative in processed foods. Sodium citrate is vegan.

Acetylated monoglycerides

Acetylated monoglycerides are a type of monoglyceride that is derived from acetic acid and glycerol. They are often used as emulsifiers in processed foods. Acetylated monoglycerides can be either plant based or animal based but the animal-sourced ones are more common, making them non-vegan.

Malic acid

Malic acid is an organic compound that is found in fruits and vegetables. It is often used as a flavoring agent in processed foods. Malic acid is vegan.

Xanthan gum

Xanthan gum is a type of polysaccharide that is derived from corn. It is often used as a thickener or stabilizer in processed foods. Xanthan gum is vegan.

Vitamin C (ascorbic acid)

Vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid, is a type of vitamin that is found in citrus fruits. It is often used as a dietary supplement. Vitamin C is vegan.

Locust bean gum

Locust bean gum is a type of polysaccharide that is derived from the carob tree. It is often used as a thickener or stabilizer in processed foods. Locust bean gum is vegan.

Potassium citrate

Potassium citrate is a type of salt that is derived from citric acid. It is often used as a preservative in processed foods. Potassium citrate is vegan.

Natural flavor

Natural flavor is a term that is used to describe flavors that are derived from natural sources. Natural flavors can be either plant based or animal based. Fruit by the Foot’s natural flavor is most likely derived from plants given the fruity flavor of the product.

Color (Red 40, Blue 1)

Artificial colors are synthetic dyes that are used to add color to processed foods. It is commonly made from petroleum, which makes them vegan friendly. They aren’t cruelty free, though.

Why Isn’t Fruit by the Foot Vegan?

Fruit by the Foot is not vegan because it contains refined sugar and monoglycerides. Refined sugar is often filtered with animal bone char and monoglycerides are usually derived from animals. If you’re craving some fruit-flavored sticky goodness, you’re better off getting other brands that are vegan friendly.