Are Guerrero Flour Tortillas Vegan and Cruelty Free? The Crunchy Truth

April 26, 2023

Trying to work out whether Guerrero Flour Tortillas are vegan-friendly can be a bit tough.

Tortilla makers often hide their ingredients behind vague terms such as “natural flavors,” and even when they do provide a full list, it can be hard to tell whether the ingredients are animal derived or not.

To make sure that you’re only consuming food that aligns with your vegan diet and lifestyle, I’ve investigated the ingredients and production processes of Guerrero Flour Tortillas.

Here’s what I found out.

Are Guerrero Flour Tortillas Vegan?

No. Guerrero Flour Tortillas are not vegan.

Guerrero is a Mexican company that has been making tortillas since 1949. It’s a sought-after brand that is loved by many for its authentic flavor. Unfortunately, vegans will not be able to enjoy their products because it uses refined sugar in most of its tortillas.

Ingredients-wise, Guerrero contains vegan-friendly ingredients, including mono- and diglycerides. Based on its FAQ page, its mono- and diglycerides are vegetable based. What makes these tortillas non-vegan is sugar and molasses.

Sugar is naturally vegan but is often processed using bone char, a black, porous substance made from the bones of cows. I’ve read differing reports about whether molasses is removed from sugar before or after bone char is introduced to the process, but many strict vegans avoid molasses anyway to avoid supporting an industry that exploits animals for no good reason, since it’s possible to filter sugar without the use of bone char.

Unless sugar and molasses are listed as vegan or are labeled as “organic,” “unrefined,” or “raw,” it’s safe to assume that they are not vegan.

Are Guerrero Flour Tortillas Cruelty Free?

Yes! Guerrero Flour Tortillas are cruelty free.

Guerrero Flour Tortillas are not tested on animals at any stage of production. They also do not contain ingredients that are commonly tested on animals, such as artificial colors.

Animal testing is an outdated, cruel, and unnecessary practice that often results in the death of the animals involved. This practice is no longer even necessary because there are so many alternative methods available that are more accurate and don’t involve animals. So companies do not really have any excuse to test on animals anymore.

What Are Guerrero Flour Tortillas Made Of?

Here are the ingredients of Guerrero Caseras Burrito Flour Tortillas:

  • Enriched bleached flour (wheat flour, niacin, reduced iron, thiamine mononitrate, riboflavin, folic acid)
  • Water
  • Vegetable shortening (interesterified and hydrogenated soybean oils)
  • Salt
  • Sugar
  • Baking soda
  • Sodium acid pyrophosphate
  • Distilled monoglycerides
  • Cellulose gum
  • Guar gum
  • Fumaric acid
  • Calcium propionate
  • Sorbic acid (to maintain freshness)

Let’s break down each ingredient of Guerrero Caseras Burrito Flour Tortillas:

Enriched bleached flour

Enriched bleached flour is a type of wheat flour that has been bleached with chlorine gas and has had nutrients added to it. The nutrients that are added to enriched bleached flour include niacin, reduced iron, thiamine mononitrate, riboflavin, and folic acid.

Enriched bleached flour is used in tortillas to attain a light and fluffy texture. It is vegan-friendly.

Water

Water is used in tortillas to make the dough more pliable and to help the tortillas hold their shape. Water is a vegan ingredient.

Vegetable shortening

Vegetable shortening is a type of fat made from interesterified and hydrogenated soybean oils. Vegetable shortening is used in tortillas for a tender and flaky texture. It is vegan-friendly.

Salt

Salt is used to add flavor to tortillas and to help the dough bind together. Salt is a vegan-friendly ingredient.

Sugar

Sugar is used to add sweetness to tortillas. Sugar is a naturally vegan ingredient but is often processed using bone char. Unless the sugar is labeled as “unrefined,” “organic,” or “raw,” then it is safer to assume it is processed in bone char. Use of bone char is declining, so stay tuned for news that it’s been phased out entirely. Until then, it’s up to you to decide if bone char is a deal breaker for you.

Baking soda

Baking soda is used as a leavening agent in tortillas. It helps the tortillas to rise and become fluffy. Baking soda is a vegan-friendly ingredient.

Sodium acid pyrophosphate

Sodium acid pyrophosphate is a leavening agent. It is used in tortillas to help them rise and become fluffy. Sodium acid pyrophosphate is a vegan-friendly ingredient.

Distilled monoglycerides

Distilled monoglycerides are a type of emulsifier. They are used in tortillas to help the dough bind together and to give them a tender texture. Distilled monoglycerides can be both from plants and animals. Guerrero’s monoglycerides are from vegetables, thus they are vegan friendly.

Cellulose gum

Cellulose gum is a type of thickener. It is used in tortillas to help them hold their shape. Cellulose gum is a vegan-friendly ingredient.

Guar gum

Guar gum is a type of thickener. It is used in tortillas to help them hold their shape. Guar gum is a vegan-friendly ingredient.

Fumaric acid

Fumaric acid is used as a preservative in tortillas. It helps to extend their shelf life. Fumaric acid is a vegan-friendly ingredient.

Calcium propionate

Calcium propionate is used as a preservative in tortillas. It helps to extend their shelf life. Calcium propionate is a vegan-friendly ingredient.

Sorbic acid

Sorbic acid is used as a preservative in tortillas. It helps to extend their shelf life. Sorbic acid is a vegan-friendly ingredient.

Why Aren’t Guerrero Flour Tortillas Vegan?

Guerrero Flour Tortillas are not vegan because they use refined sugar. Refined sugar is often processed with bone char. Bone char is a type of carbon made from the bones of animals. It is used to process sugar to make it white. These tortillas also contain molasses, which is also processed by an industry that uses bone char.

Some vegans don’t mind eating foods processed with bone char. Others do. It’s a personal choice every vegan must make.

Are Guerrero Riquisimas Taqueria Style Mini Flour Tortillas Vegan?

No. Guerrero Riquisimas Taqueria Style Mini Flour Tortillas contain molasses.

These flour tortillas are not safe for vegan consumption.

Are Guerrero Caseras Fajita Tortillas Vegan?

No. Guerrero Caseras Fajita Tortillas contain refined sugar.

These tortillas are not safe for vegan consumption.

Are Guerrero Yellow Corn Tortillas Vegan?

Yes! Guerrero Yellow Corn Tortillas contain only vegan-friendly ingredients.

These corn tortillas are safe for vegan consumption.

Are Guerrero Tortilla Chips Vegan?

Yes! Guerrero Tortillas Chips contain only vegan-friendly ingredients.

These tortilla chips are safe for vegan consumption.

Are Taco Bell Tortillas Vegan?

Yes! Taco Bell Tortillas do not contain animal-derived ingredients. They are also clearly vegan based on their website’s ingredients page.

These tortilla wraps are safe for vegan consumption.

Are Chipotle Tortillas Vegan?

Yes! Chipotle Tortillas do not contain animal-derived ingredients.

These tortillas are safe for vegan consumption.

Are There Vegan Tortilla brands? Vegan Alternatives to Guerrero Flour Tortillas

Guerrero Tortillas may not be vegan, but there are plenty of other brands that make vegan flour tortillas! Here are some of my favorite vegan tortilla brands:

With these vegan tortillas brands, you’ll be able to enjoy all of your favorite Mexican dishes without having to worry about whether or not the tortillas are vegan! So go ahead and enjoy those tacos, burritos, and quesadillas to your heart’s content!

Final Words

So, there you have it! Guerrero Flour Tortillas are not vegan. However, there are plenty of other brands of vegan tortillas that you can enjoy! With these vegan tortillas, you’ll be able to enjoy all kinds of delicious Mexican dishes without having to worry about whether or not the tortillas are vegan. Go ahead and enjoy these delicious vegan tortillas with your favorite Mexican dishes!