Identifying whether or not Justin’s Peanut Butter Cups are vegan can be a complex task.
This difficulty stems from manufacturers often shrouding the true nature and sources of their ingredients in complex labeling language.
But don’t worry, this article aims to uncover the truth and provide you with the information you need to support your vegan lifestyle.
Are Justin’s Peanut Butter Cups Vegan?
No, Justin’s Peanut Butter Cups are not fully vegan.
The key reason for this lies in a few specific ingredients: organic milk powder and organic soy lecithin. These are animal-derived products, with the former coming directly from dairy and the latter often being processed using animal enzymes.
Are Justin’s Peanut Butter Cups Cruelty-Free?
Yes, Justin’s Peanut Butter Cups are considered cruelty-free.
The company ensures that the ingredients are ethically sourced and does not test its products on animals. The inclusion of organic milk powder and organic soya lecithin, however, could be a concern for some vegans because of the exploitation of animals inherent in their production.
What Are Justin’s Peanut Butter Cups Made Of?
Let’s dive deeper into the ingredients list of your favorite peanut butter cup to further our understanding:
- Organic dark chocolate
- Organic evaporated cane sugar
- Organic cocoa butter
- Organic peanut flour
- Organic palm oil
- Organic peanuts
- Organic ground peanut
- Organic soy lecithin
- Organic milk powder
Organic dark chocolate
This is primarily made from organic cacao beans, and serves as the primary coating for the peanut butter cups. However, milk ingredients are often used in dark chocolate production, making it not completely vegan.
Organic evaporated cane sugar
This sweet ingredient is derived from sugar cane. It’s vegan-friendly, but some ethical vegans might object to it due to the often exploitative labor practices in the sugar industry.
Organic cocoa butter
Extracted from the cocoa bean, this ingredient provides the butter cups with their creamy texture. It’s vegan and plant-based.
Organic peanut flour and ground peanut
These ingredients are derived from organic peanuts and are vegan. They are integral to the signature peanut butter center of the cups.
Organic palm oil
Sourced from the fruit of oil palms, this ingredient enhances the texture of the peanut butter cups. While technically vegan, its production often involves deforestation and harm to wildlife habitats. Being organic, it’s likely that this palm oil is sustainably sourced.
Organic soy lecithin
This ingredient is an emulsifier that helps mix oil and water. Although it’s plant based, it’s often processed using animal enzymes, making it not strictly vegan.
Organic milk powder
Derived from dairy milk, this ingredient is not vegan. It’s used to add a creamy texture and rich flavor to the peanut butter cups.
Vegan Alternatives to Justin’s Peanut Butter Cups
If you’re seeking vegan alternatives to Justin’s Peanut Butter Cups, you’re in luck! There are a plethora of options available:
- Unreal Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups: They offer a vegan version of peanut butter cups that are also gluten-free and made without soy.
- Free2b Dark Chocolate Sun Cups: These are free from top allergens including dairy and gluten, and are fully vegan.
- Justin’s Dark Chocolate Almond Butter Cups: This variety from Justin’s is vegan and can serve as an ideal alternative.
Conclusion
While Justin’s Peanut Butter Cups may be organic and cruelty-free, they do not qualify as fully vegan due to the inclusion of organic milk powder and potentially animal-derived organic soya lecithin.
It’s important to scrutinize ingredients lists and understand their sources to ensure they align with your ethical lifestyle choices and meet the standards of your preferred food brand.
But fear not, there are myriad vegan alternatives available from various food brands that are just as delicious and satisfy that craving for chocolatey, peanut butter goodness.