Hey there, conscious consumer! So, you’re standing in the grocery aisle, staring at a pack of Mission Flour Tortillas, and wondering, “Are these vegan?”
It’s like you’re a detective, but instead of solving crimes, you’re solving the mystery of hidden ingredients. Manufacturers love to play hide-and-seek with us, don’t they?
But guess what? This article is your secret weapon to crack the code and keep your vegan lifestyle on point!
Are Mission Flour Tortillas Vegan?
Sorry to break it to you, but Mission Flour Tortillas are not on Team Vegan. These tortillas are full of tricky animal-derived ingredients that may or may not be vegan.
The first is sugar. A lot of refined sugar is processed through bone char, the ground-up bones of animals. Unfortunately, manufacturers don’t usually disclose if they use sugar processed with bone char.
However, when a manufacturer chooses to use sugar not processed with bone char, it makes a point of publicizing the fact. A manufacturer that doesn’t disclose the source of its sugar gives strict vegans no choice but to avoid its products.
Furthermore, enzymes and dough conditioners often include ingredients sourced from animals, including L-cysteine, which is a bit of a Frankenstein’s monster of animal by-products.
Are Mission Flour Tortillas Cruelty-Free?
Nope, these tortillas can’t wear the cruelty-free badge either. The palm oil in the vegetable shortening is a known culprit for deforestation and harming animal habitats.
What Are Mission Flour Tortillas Made Of?
Let’s dive into the nitty-gritty. Here’s what’s inside those Mission Flour Tortillas:
- Enriched bleached wheat flour
- Water
- Vegetable shortening
- Salt
- Sugar
- Leavening
- Distilled monoglycerides
- Enzymes
- Wheat starch
- Calcium carbonate
- Antioxidants
- Cellulose gum
- Guar gum
- Dough conditioners
- Calcium propionate
- Sorbic acid
Enriched Bleached Wheat Flour
This is wheat flour that has been both enriched and bleached. It’s plant based and serves as the backbone of the tortillas. It’s vegan.
Water
Water is universally vegan and cruelty-free. It acts as a binding agent in the tortillas.
Vegetable Shortening
This is a blend of vegetable oil, including palm oil. It’s used for texture but is not cruelty-free due to the ethical issues surrounding palm oil production.
Salt
Salt is a mineral and is vegan. It enhances the flavor of the tortillas.
Sugar
Sugar is derived from plants but can sometimes be processed using bone char. In this case, it’s unclear, but it’s better to be on the safe side if you’re a strict vegan.
Leavening
This is a mix of various baking agents like sodium bicarbonate and sodium aluminum sulfate. These are vegan and make the tortillas fluffy.
Distilled Monoglycerides
These are fats used to improve texture and are generally plant based, making them vegan.
Enzymes
Enzymes are used to break down starches. They can be plant or animal-derived, and it’s nearly impossible to know if they’re safe for vegans unless a brand discloses its source. Products that are vegan and organic are usually safe.
Wheat Starch
This is another form of wheat and is vegan. It’s used to improve the texture.
Calcium Carbonate
This is a mineral used as a firming agent. It’s vegan.
Antioxidants
These include tocopherols, ascorbic acid, and citric acid, all of which are vegan and help preserve the product.
Cellulose Gum
This is a plant-derived thickening agent and is vegan.
Guar Gum
Derived from guar beans, this is used as a thickening agent and is vegan.
Dough Conditioners
These include fumaric acid and sodium metabisulfite, which are synthetic and vegan, but they also often include L-cysteine, which is not vegan.
Calcium Propionate
This is a preservative that is generally considered vegan.
Sorbic Acid
This is another preservative and is vegan.
Vegan Alternatives to Mission Flour Tortillas
Don’t fret, my vegan amigo! There are plenty of vegan flour tortillas, as well as corn tortillas, to wrap your compassionate heart around:
- Corn tortillas: Brands like La Tortilla Factory have got your back.
- Organic whole wheat tortillas: Food for Life is another ally in your vegan journey.
- Gluten-free tortillas: Siete Foods offers almond flour tortillas that are 100% vegan.
- Homemade tortillas: Don’t depend on store-bought flour tortillas. Unleash your inner chef and make your own vegan tortillas at home!
Conclusion
Alright, eco-warrior, now you’re armed with the knowledge to make an informed food choice and support your vegan diet.
While Mission Flour Tortillas may not be your ethical soulmate, there are plenty of vegan tortilla brands out there just waiting to meet you.
Keep rocking your vegan lifestyle — you’re making a difference, one compassionate choice at a time!