Figuring out whether Goldfish Crackers are safe for vegans to consume can be a bit tough.
The makers of crackers and similar snacks often hide their ingredients behind vague terms, such as “natural flavors,” and even when they do list everything that goes into their products, it can be hard to decipher whether those ingredients are vegan or not.
To ensure that you’re only eating food that aligns with your vegan diet and lifestyle, I’ve looked into the ingredients and production process of Goldfish Crackers.
Here’s what I found out.
Are Goldfish Crackers Vegan?
No. Goldfish Crackers are not vegan.
Goldfish Crackers are a type of cracker that is made popular by the Pepperidge Farm brand. They are usually eaten as a snack food, and come in a variety of flavors such as cheddar, Parmesan, and pretzel. Sadly, vegans will not be able to find any flavors of Goldfish that are free from animal-based ingredients.
Goldfish are made with milk and several milk derivatives, such as cheddar and other cheeses, whey, cream, and butter. These are all dairy products, which means they come from cows.
Additionally, they contain refined sugar, molasses, and dextrose, all of which are often processed using bone char, a type of carbon that is made from the bones of cows, pigs, and other animals to make the sugar whiter. Unless labeled “unrefined,” “raw,” or “organic,” then sugar or any sugar by-product is likely non-vegan.
Are Goldfish Crackers Cruelty Free?
Yes! Goldfish Crackers are cruelty free.
Goldfish are not tested on animals at any point during the production process. They also don’t contain ingredients, such as artificial colors, that are regularly tested on animals.
Animal testing is an inhumane and outdated practice that should no longer be used in the food industry. Innocent animals are only subjected to pain, suffering, and death for the sake of human consumption.
There are many alternative methods of testing that are available and do not involve animals. These methods are often more accurate and faster. So there are really no excuses for brands to continue testing on animals.
What Are Goldfish Crackers Made Of?
Here are the ingredients of Original Goldfish Baked Crackers:
- Enriched wheat flour (flour, niacin, reduced iron, thiamine mononitrate, riboflavin, folic acid)
- Vegetable oils (canola, sunflower, and/or soybean)
- Salt
- Yeast
- Nonfat milk
- Sugar
- Baking soda
- Spices
- Celery
- Paprika
- Monocalcium phosphate
- Onion powder
Let’s break down each ingredient of Goldfish Crackers:
Enriched wheat flour
Enriched wheat flour is a type of flour that has been fortified with vitamins and minerals. It is made by adding back in nutrients that are lost during the milling process. Enriched wheat flour is used in foods as a way to increase their nutrient content.
The nutrients that are added back into enriched wheat flour include niacin, reduced iron, thiamine mononitrate, riboflavin, and folic acid. These vitamins and minerals are all vegan friendly. Enriched wheat flour is vegan.
Vegetable oils
Vegetable oils are extracted from plants. The three most common types of vegetable oils used in Goldfish Crackers are canola oil, sunflower oil, and soybean oil.
Canola oil is made from the crushing and extraction of rapeseed plants.
Sunflower oil is made from the crushing and extraction of sunflower seeds.
Soybean oil is made from the crushing and extraction of soybeans.
These vegetable oils are all vegan.
Salt
Salt is a type of mineral that is composed of sodium and chloride. It is often used as a seasoning or preservative in food. Salt is vegan.
Yeast
Yeast is a type of single-celled microorganism that feeds on sugars. It is often used in baking to help bread rise. Yeast is vegan.
Nonfat milk
Nonfat milk is a type of milk that has fat removed. It is also known as skim milk. Nonfat milk is made by skimming the cream off of whole milk. Nonfat milk is not vegan.
Sugar
Sugar is a type of carbohydrate that is composed of sucrose molecules. It is often used as a sweetener in food. Sugar is often processed with bone char, a type of carbon that is made from the bones of cows, pigs, and other animals, making it non-vegan. Unless it is labeled as “unrefined,” “raw,” or “organic,” then it is likely that the sugar is processed using bone char.
Baking soda
Baking soda is a type of salt that is composed of sodium bicarbonate. It is often used in baking as a leavening agent. Baking soda is vegan.
Spices
Spices are a type of seasoning that is made from dried and ground plants. They are often used to add flavor to food. Spices are vegan.
Celery
Celery is a type of vegetable that is often used as a flavoring agent in food. Celery is vegan.
Paprika
Paprika is a type of spice that is made from dried peppers. It is often used as a coloring agent in food. Paprika is vegan.
Monocalcium phosphate
Monocalcium phosphate is a type of calcium salt that is used as a leavening agent in baking. It is vegan.
Onion powder
Onion powder is a type of seasoning that is made from ground onions. Onion powder is vegan.
Why Aren’t Goldfish Crackers Vegan?
Goldfish are not vegan because they contain ingredients that vegans actively avoid, such as milk and several milk derivatives, including cheddar cheese, whey, cream, and butter. These ingredients are automatic disqualifiers for vegans.
Furthermore, they also contain some questionable ingredients, such as refined sugar, molasses, and dextrose. While these ingredients are not necessarily animal derived, they may be processed using bone char, which is a type of carbon that is made from the bones of cows, pigs, and other animals.
Are Goldfish Cheddar Jack’D Vegan?
No. Goldfish Cheddar Jack’D contain Parmesan cheese, Monterey jack cheese, and whey.
These snack crackers are not safe for vegan consumption.
Are Parmesan Goldfish Vegan?
No. Goldfish Parmesan contains a cultured milk derivative, Parmesan cheese.
These snack crackers are not safe for vegan consumption.
Are Pizza Goldfish Vegan?
No. Goldfish Pizza contains a cultured milk derivative, cheddar cheese.
These snack crackers are not safe for vegan consumption.
Are Goldfish Colors Vegan?
No. Goldfish Colors contain a cultured milk derivative, cheddar cheese.
These snack crackers are not safe for vegan consumption.
Are Sour Cream & Onion Goldfish Vegan?
No. Flavor Busted Sour Cream & Onion Baked Goldfish contain Parmesan cheese, cream solids, sour cream solids, whey, and butter.
These snack crackers are not safe for vegan consumption.
Vegan Alternatives to Goldfish Crackers
Goldfish may not be vegan, but there are plenty of vegan alternatives that are just as delicious. Some of my favorite vegan-friendly options include:
- Real Food From The Ground Up Cauliflower Cheddar Crackers
- Mustache Munchies Organic Baked Spicy Fish Crackers
- Mustache Munchies Organic Baked Parmesan Rosemary Crackers
- Mustache Munchies Organic Baked Cheddarish Crackers
These are all vegan-friendly crackers that are just as tasty, if not tastier, than Goldfish. Plus, they don’t contain any of the questionable ingredients that Goldfish do. All are labeled vegan.
If you’re feeling adventurous, you could always try making your own Goldfish veggie crackers at home! There are plenty of recipes online that use simple, vegan-friendly ingredients. Here are some I like:
- Gluten Free Goldfish Crackers (vegan, nut free) by Healthy Taste of Life
- Vegan Goldfish Crackers by FOOD52
You can’t go wrong with any of these vegan Goldfish crackers alternatives. So if you’re looking for a delicious and vegan-friendly alternative to Goldfish, look no further. These vegan Goldfish alternatives will definitely hit the spot!
Final Words
So, there you have it! Goldfish Crackers are not vegan, but there are plenty of delicious vegan alternatives that are just as good, if not better. So the next time you’re in the mood for a tasty snack, reach for one of these vegan Goldfish cracker alternatives instead, or try your hand at making your own Goldfish veggie crackers at home! I guarantee you won’t be disappointed.