Identifying whether Hot Funyuns are vegan is no easy task.
The difficulty lies in manufacturers often obscuring the true nature and sources of their ingredients.
Nevertheless, this article aims to shine a light on the truth and support you in maintaining your compassionate vegan lifestyle.
Are Hot Funyuns Vegan?
Hot Funyuns are not vegan. The reasons behind this lie in the ingredients used to make these flamin’ hot onion flavored rings. Specifically, milk ingredients, buttermilk powder, cheese cultures, and nonfat milk all contribute to Hot Funyuns’ non-vegan status.
Are Hot Funyuns Cruelty-Free?
Unfortunately, Hot Funyuns are also not cruelty-free. The presence of dairy-based ingredients such as milk ingredients, buttermilk powder, nonfat milk, and cheese cultures implies the involvement of animal agriculture, which is known for practices that are not in line with a cruelty-free lifestyle.
What Are Hot Funyuns Made Of?
Hot Funyuns are a spicy and crunchy snack that many people love. Made from a blend of ingredients, they offer a unique taste and texture that’s hard to resist. Here’s a detailed look into the ingredients that make up Hot Funyuns:
- Enriched corn meal
- Cornmeal
- Ferrous sulfate
- Niacin
- Thiamin mononitrate
- Riboflavin
- Folic acid
- Vegetable oil
- Corn oil and/or canola oil and/or sunflower oil
- Salt
- Cornstarch
- Corn flour
- Buttermilk
- Sugar
- Monosodium glutamate
- Yeast extract
- Cheddar cheese
- Milk
- Cheese cultures
- Salt
- Enzymes
- Artificial color
- Food coloring: red 40 lake, yellow 6 lake
- Citric acid
- Whey
- Onion powder
- Maltodextrin (made from corn)
- Lactose
- Garlic powder
- Natural and artificial flavor
- Skim milk
- Sodium diacetate
- Gum arabic
- Onion extracts
Enriched Corn Meal
Enriched corn meal is cornmeal with added nutrients, derived from ground corn. It forms the primary structure of Hot Funyuns and is vegan.
Cornmeal
Cornmeal is flour from dried corn. It contributes to the snack’s texture and is vegan.
Ferrous Sulfate
This is a form of iron for nutritional enrichment. It’s synthetically derived and vegan.
Niacin
Niacin, or vitamin B3, aids metabolism. It can be synthetically or naturally derived and is typically vegan, though it’s sometimes sourced from animals.
Thiamin Mononitrate
This is a source of Vitamin B1. It’s added for nutritional value, is synthetically made, and vegan.
Riboflavin
Riboflavin or Vitamin B2 supports energy production. It’s added for its nutritional benefits. It’s typically vegan, but can sometimes be sourced from animal products. There’s no way to know for sure.
Folic Acid
Folic acid supports cell division. It’s synthetically derived for enrichment and is vegan.
Vegetable Oil
Vegetable oil provides fat content. It’s derived from various plants and is vegan.
Corn Oil
Corn oil adds to the fat content. Sourced from corn kernels, it’s vegan.
Canola Oil
Canola oil is another source of fats. Derived from the canola plant, it’s vegan.
Sunflower Oil
Sunflower oil provides essential fats. Extracted from sunflower seeds, it’s vegan.
Salt
Salt enhances flavor. It’s mined or sea-derived and is vegan.
Cornstarch
Cornstarch thickens and provides texture. Made from corn, it’s vegan.
Corn Flour
Corn flour contributes to the snack’s structure. Derived from corn, it’s vegan.
Buttermilk
Buttermilk adds a tangy flavor. It’s derived from milk and is not vegan.
Sugar
Sugar sweetens the snack. Sourced from sugarcane or beets, it’s typically vegan.
Monosodium Glutamate
MSG enhances flavor. It’s synthetically derived and vegan.
Yeast Extract
Yeast extract adds umami flavor. Derived from yeast, it’s vegan.
Cheddar Cheese
Cheddar cheese provides a cheesy taste. Made from cow’s milk, it’s not vegan.
Milk
Milk adds creaminess. It’s sourced from cows and is not vegan.
Cheese Cultures
Cheese cultures ferment the milk. Derived from bacteria, they can be vegan, but some starter cultures contain other ingredients that make them non-vegan.
Enzymes
Enzymes aid in cheese production. Their source varies, so they may or may not be vegan.
Artificial Color
Artificial colors enhance appearance. They’re synthetically made and typically vegan.
Red 40 Lake and Yellow 6 Lake
These are synthetic dyes for color. They’re vegan, but they are not cruelty-free. They’re routinely tested on animals.
Citric Acid
Citric acid adds tanginess. Derived from citrus fruits or synthetically made, it’s vegan.
Whey
Whey is a milk by-product. It adds flavor and is not vegan.
Onion Powder
Onion powder enhances flavor. Made from dried onions, it’s vegan.
Maltodextrin
Maltodextrin provides texture. Derived from corn, it’s vegan.
Lactose
Lactose is a milk sugar. It adds sweetness and is not vegan.
Garlic Powder
Garlic powder adds flavor. Made from dried garlic, it’s vegan.
Natural and Artificial Flavor
These flavors enhance taste. Their sources vary, but they’re typically vegan.
Skim Milk
Skim milk adds creaminess. It’s derived from cow’s milk and is not vegan.
Sodium Diacetate
This compound adds tanginess. It’s synthetically derived and vegan.
Gum Arabic
Gum Arabic provides texture. Sourced from the acacia tree, it’s vegan.
Onion Extracts
Onion extracts enhance flavor. Derived from onions, they’re vegan.
Vegan Alternatives to Hot Funyuns
While Hot Funyuns may not align with a vegan diet, there is a plethora of alternatives that can satisfy your spicy snack cravings:
- Vegan Rob’s Probiotic Cauliflower Puffs
- Hippeas Organic Chickpea Puffs, Sriracha Sunrise
- Outstanding Foods Pig Out Pigless Pork Rinds
- Earth Balance Vegan Cheddar Flavor Squares
Conclusion
While they may tantalize your taste buds with their fiery flavor, Hot Funyuns do not meet the standards of a vegan or cruelty-free diet due to the presence of various milk-derived ingredients.
However, with an abundance of flavorful and cruelty-free food alternatives available from various ethical brands, it’s possible to make a choice that aligns with your ethical values and supports the health of our planet.
Keep on veganing!