Figuring out whether Gansitos are vegan can be a bit tough.
Snack cake makers often hide 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 tough to tell whether those ingredients are vegan or not.
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 Gansitos.
Here’s what I found.
Are Gansitos Vegan?
No. Gansitos are not vegan.
Gansito is a Mexican snack cake that is popular among children and adults alike. The snack cake consists of a strawberry- and crème-filled sponge cake coated in chocolate. Unfortunately, vegans cannot enjoy this delicious snack cake because it contains several animal-derived ingredients.
The sponge cake contains eggs and dairy, both of which are not vegan. In addition, Gansitos also contain sugar, glycerin, and monoglycerides.
Sugar is naturally vegan, but is often processed with animal bone char, a black carbon residue from animal bones. Unless sugar is labeled “organic,” “raw,” or “unrefined.”
With glycerin and monoglycerides, it’s tough to say whether they are vegan or not as they can be either plant or animal derived. Glycerin, or glycerol, is mostly derived from animal fats, unless labeled as “vegetable glycerin” or “vegetable glycerol.”
Monoglycerides, on the other hand, commonly come from animal sources because it’s cheaper that way. Like glycerin, unless labeled as plant based or vegan, monoglycerides are probably not vegan.
Are Gansitos Cruelty-Free?
No. Gansitos are not cruelty-free.
Gansitos are not tested on animals at any point in their production process, however, they do contain artificial colors that are commonly tested on animals.
Animal testing is an outmoded and cruel practice that needs to end. This only leaves innocent animals disfigured, maimed, and dead. There are alternative methods of testing that do not involve animals and are more effective. So food brands have no excuse to continue testing on animals.
What Are Gansitos Made Of?
Here are the ingredients of Marinela Gansito Filled Snack Cakes:
- Sugar
- Hydrogenated palm kernel and palm oil
- Cocoa
- Soy lecithin
- Cinnamon
- Strawberry puree
- Polydextrose
- Maltodextrin
- Maltitol syrup
- Sorbitol
- Glycerin
- Modified corn starch
- Apple juice
- Guar gum
- Locust bean gum
- Xanthan gum
- Citric acid
- Sodium benzoate (preservative)
- Hydrogenated vegetable shortening (coconut oil)
- Reb A (a stevia leaf sweetener)
- Artificial colors (red 40, red 3)
- Invert sugar
- Iodized salt
- Talc
- Bleached wheat flour
- High fructose corn syrup
- Water
- Egg
- Vegetable shortening (palm, sunflower, soybean, and canola oil, soy lecithin)
- Nonfat milk
- Dextrose
- Propylene glycol monostearate
- Monoglycerides
- Lactylic esters of fatty acids
- Sodium aluminum sulfate
- Sodium aluminum phosphate
- Calcium sulfate
- Baking soda
- Preservatives (sodium propionate, sorbic acid)
- Enzymes
- Sorbitan monostearate
- Polysorbate 60
- Natural and artificial flavor
- Monocalcium phosphate
- Corn syrup
- Carrageenan
- Cellulose gum
Let’s break down each ingredient of Gansitos:
Sugar
Sugar is a type of sweetener that is made from either sugarcane or sugar beet. It is often used in baking and candy making. Unless it is labeled as “organic,” “raw,” or “organic,” it is likely not vegan.
Hydrogenated palm kernel and palm oils
Hydrogenated palm kernel oil is a type of vegetable oil that has been treated with hydrogen gas to make it more solid. It is often used in baking and as a cooking oil. It is vegan. Hydrogenated palm oil is a type of fat that is made from palm oil. It is often used in baking. Hydrogenated palm oil is vegan.
Cocoa
Cocoa is a type of powder that is made from the beans of the cocoa tree. It is the main ingredient in chocolate. Cocoa is vegan.
Soy lecithin
Soy lecithin is a type of emulsifier that is made from soybeans. It is often used in baking and as a food additive.
Strawberry puree
Strawberry puree is a type of fruit puree that is made from strawberries. It is often used in baking and as a topping or filling for desserts. Strawberry puree is vegan.
Polydextrose
Polydextrose is a type of artificial sweetener that is made from glucose and sorbitol. It is often used in baking and as a sugar substitute. Polydextrose is vegan.
Maltodextrin
Maltodextrin is a type of sugar that is made from starch. It is often used in baking and as a food additive. Maltodextrin is vegan.
Maltitol syrup
Maltitol syrup is a type of sugar alcohol that is made from maltose. It is often used in baking and as a sugar substitute. Maltitol syrup is vegan.
Sorbitol
Sorbitol is a type of sugar alcohol that is made from glucose. It is often used in baking and as a sugar substitute. Sorbitol is vegan.
Glycerin
Glycerin is a type of alcohol that is made from fats and oils. It is often used in cosmetics and as a food additive. Glycerin can be either vegan or non-vegan depending on how it is sourced. Unless labeled “vegetable glycerin,” glycerin is not vegan.
Modified corn starch
Modified corn starch is a type of cornstarch that has been treated with chemicals to make it more resistant to heat. It is often used in baking and as a thickening agent. It is vegan.
Apple juice
Apple juice is a type of juice that is made from apples. It is often used as a beverage or to add flavor to foods. Apple juice is vegan.
Guar gum
Guar gum is a type of fiber that is made from the guar bean. It is often used as a food additive or thickening agent. Guar gum is vegan.
Locust bean gum
Locust bean gum is a type of fiber that is made from the locust bean. It is often used as a food additive or thickening agent. Locust bean gum is vegan.
Xanthan gum
Xanthan gum is a type of food additive that is made from bacteria. It is often used as a thickening agent or emulsifier. Xanthan gum is vegan.
Artificial flavor
Artificial flavors are chemicals that are used to add flavor to food. They are vegan.
Citric acid
Citric acid is a type of acid that is made from citrus fruits. It is often used as a food additive or preservative. Citric acid is vegan.
Sodium benzoate
Sodium benzoate is a type of preservative that is made from sodium and benzoic acid. It is often used as a food additive. Sodium benzoate is vegan.
Hydrogenated vegetable shortening
Hydrogenated vegetable shortening with coconut oil is a type of fat that is made from vegetables, in this case coconut, which is actually a fruit, but I don’t make the rules. It is often used in baking. Hydrogenated vegetable shortening is vegan.
Reb-A (a stevia leaf sweetener)
Reb-A is a type of sweetener that is made from stevia leaves. It is often used as a sugar substitute. Reb-A is vegan.
Invert sugar
Invert sugar is a type of sugar that is made from sucrose. It is often used in baking and as a sweetener. Invert sugar is vegan only if labeled “unrefined,” “organic,” or “raw.”
Iodized salt
Iodized salt is a type of salt that has been treated with iodine. It is often used as a food additive or preservative. Iodized salt is vegan if it does not contain anti-caking agents.
Talc
Talc is a type of mineral that is made from magnesium, silicon, and oxygen. It is often used in cosmetics and as a food additive. Talc is vegan.
Cinnamon
Cinnamon is a type of spice that is made from the bark of a tree. It is often used to add flavor to food. Cinnamon is vegan.
Bleached wheat flour
Bleached wheat flour is a type of flour that has been treated with chemicals to make it whiter. It is often used in baking. Bleached wheat flour is vegan.
High fructose corn syrup
High fructose corn syrup is a type of sugar that is made from corn. It is often used as a sweetener. High fructose corn syrup is vegan.
Water
Water is used as a solvent in many food products. It is vegan.
Egg
An egg is a type of food that is made from the ovum of a bird, in this case a chicken. It is often used in baking. Eggs are not vegan.
Vegetable shortening
Vegetable shortening is a type of fat that is made from vegetables. It is often used in baking. Gansitos contain palm, soybean, sunflower, and canola oils in varying quantities. They are all vegan.
Nonfat milk
Nonfat milk is a type of milk often used in baking. Nonfat milk is not vegan.
Dextrose
Dextrose is a type of sugar that is made from corn. It is often used as a sweetener in food products. Dextrose can sometimes be processed with bone char, so if the possibility of consuming sweetener filtered through animal bones bothers you, then you should avoid products that contain dextrose.
Propylene glycol monostearate
Propylene glycol monostearate is a type of ester that is made from propylene glycol and stearic acid. It is often used as an emulsifier. Propylene glycol monostearate is vegan.
Monoglycerides
Monoglycerides are a type of fat made from glycerol and fatty acids. They are often used as emulsifiers. Gansitos’ monoglycerides are probably from an animal source because they are cheaper than plant-based monoglycerides, so they are not vegan.
Lactylic esters of fatty acids
Lactylic esters of fatty acids are a type of ester that is made from lactic acid and fatty acids. They are often used as emulsifiers. Lactylic esters of fatty acids are not vegan.
Sodium aluminum sulfate
Sodium aluminum sulfate is a type of salt that is made from aluminum and sulfuric acid. It is often used as a food additive. Sodium aluminum sulfate is vegan.
Sodium aluminum phosphate
Sodium aluminum phosphate is a type of salt that is made from aluminum and phosphoric acid. It is often used as a food additive. Sodium aluminum phosphate is vegan.
Calcium sulfate
Calcium sulfate is a type of salt that is made from calcium and sulfuric acid. It is often used as a food additive. Calcium sulfate is vegan.
Baking soda
Baking soda is a type of salt that is made from sodium bicarbonate. It is often used as a leavening agent. Baking soda is vegan.
Preservatives
Sodium propionate and sorbic acid are types of preservatives. They are often used to prevent mold and bacteria from growing. Sodium propionate and sorbic acid are vegan.
Enzymes
Enzymes are proteins that catalyze chemical reactions. They are often used in food production. Enzymes are vegan.
Sorbitan monostearate
Sorbitan monostearate is a type of ester that is made from sorbitol and stearic acid. It is often used as an emulsifier. Sorbitan monostearate is vegan.
Polysorbate 60
Polysorbate 60 is a type of ester that is made from sorbitol and stearic acid. It is often used as an emulsifier. Polysorbate 60 is vegan.
Monocalcium phosphate
Monocalcium phosphate is a type of salt that is made from calcium and phosphoric acid. It is often used as a food additive. Monocalcium phosphate is vegan.
Corn syrup
Corn syrup is a type of sugar that is made from corn. It is often used as a sweetener in food products. Corn syrup is vegan.
Carrageenan
Carrageenan is a type of seaweed that is often used as a food additive. Carrageenan is vegan.
Cellulose gum
Cellulose gum is a type of polymer that is made from cellulose. It is often used as a food additive. Cellulose gum is vegan.
Why Aren’t Gansitos Vegan?
Gansitos are not vegan because they contain several non-vegan and questionable ingredients such as eggs, milk, monoglycerides, glycerin, and sugar. Unfortunately, these ingredients make Gansitos unsuitable for vegans.
Are Marinela Barritas Vegan?
No. Marinela Barritas contains refined sugar and glycerin.
These cookies are not safe for vegan consumption.
Are Marinela Choco Roles Vegan?
No. Marinela Choco Roles contain refined sugar, butter fat, eggs, and milk.
These cake snacks are not safe for vegan consumption.
Are Marinela Pingüinos Vegan?
No. Marinela Pingüinos contain refined sugar, eggs, and milk.
These cake snacks are not safe for vegan consumption.
Are Marinela Submarinos Vegan?
No. Marinela Submarinos contain refined sugar, egg whites, and milk.
These cake snacks are not safe for vegan consumption.
Vegan Alternatives to Gansitos
Gansitos may not be vegan but there are plenty of delicious vegan alternatives that you can find online. Here are some of my favorites:
- Rule Breaker Birthday Cake Bites
- Good To Go Soft Baked Raspberry Lemon Soft Baked Bar
- Lundberg Organic Whole Grain Brown Rice Cakes, Lightly Salted
- Rubicon Bakers Vegan Chocolate Blackout Cake
- Rubicon Bakers Vegan Vanilla Cupcakes
With these delicious vegan alternatives, you won’t have to miss out on your favorite snack or dessert! From birthday cake bites to soft-baked bars and rice cakes, there’s a vegan treat for everyone!
Final Words
So there you have it! Gansitos are not vegan. However, there are plenty of delicious vegan alternatives that are sure to satisfy your sweet tooth. So go out and enjoy some delicious vegan treats today! But as always, double-check the ingredients list to make sure they are, in fact, vegan. Enjoy!