Is Pillsbury Pizza Crust Vegan and Cruelty-Free?

October 6, 2023

Identifying whether a product like Pillsbury Pizza Crust is vegan can often be difficult.

This difficulty arises when processed foods have long lists of unidentifiable — and unpronounceable — ingredients that the layperson couldn’t possibly translate.

However, this article aims to uncover the truth and provide you, the reader, with valuable information to support your compassionate, vegan lifestyle.

Is Pillsbury Pizza Crust Vegan?

No, it’s unlikely that Pillsbury Pizza Crust is vegan. The crust contains ingredients such as sugar, which might be processed with bone char, and mono and diglycerides, which can come from either animals or plants, and there’s no way to tell for sure.

While this product might be vegan, we’re not totally comfortable advising vegans to consume it because there’s a decent chance it’s not vegan.

Is Pillsbury Pizza Crust Cruelty-Free?

No, Pillsbury Pizza Crust is not cruelty-free. The inclusion of palm oil, which contributes to deforestation and habitat destruction, disqualified it from cruelty-free status. Additionally, several ingredients are GMO, including soybean oil, sugar, dextrose, possibly mono and diglycerides, and xanthan gum.

Genetic modification of crops involves testing on animals, so GMOs are inherently not cruelty-free.

What Is Pillsbury Pizza Crust Made Of?

Pillsbury Pizza Crust is made of a combination of ingredients that give it its unique flavor and texture. Here are the ingredients:

  • Enriched flour bleached (wheat flour, niacin, ferrous sulfate, thiamin mononitrate, riboflavin, folic acid)
  • Water
  • Sugar
  • Dextrose
  • Vital wheat gluten
  • Leavening (glucono delta-lactone, baking soda)
  • Soybean oil
  • Salt
  • Potassium chloride
  • Hydrogenated vegetable oil (soybean, palm, and/or cottonseed)
  • Mono and diglycerides
  • Natural flavor
  • Xanthan gum

Enriched Flour Bleached (wheat flour, niacin, ferrous sulfate, thiamin mononitrate, riboflavin, folic acid)

This is wheat flour that has added vitamins and minerals, including niacin, ferrous sulfate, thiamin mononitrate, riboflavin, and folic acid. It’s the primary ingredient in most pizza crusts, providing the dough’s structure. All these components are vegan.

Water

Water is a basic ingredient in pizza dough, making it vegan.

Sugar

Sugar sweetens the dough. However, some sugars are processed with bone char, making them non-vegan.

Dextrose

A type of sugar derived from corn, it’s vegan but GMO.

Vital Wheat Gluten

Derived from wheat, it provides elasticity to the dough. It’s vegan.

Leavening (glucono delta-lactone, baking soda)

These agents help the dough rise. Both are vegan.

Soybean Oil

Used for flavor and texture, soybean oil might be GMO, which is not cruelty-free, though it is technically vegan.

Salt

Salt is a basic seasoning agent used in many recipes, including pizza dough. It’s vegan.

Potassium Chloride

Often used as a salt substitute or to regulate the acidity of certain foods, potassium chloride is vegan.

Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil (soybean, palm, and/or cottonseed)

This oil can be derived from several sources. While soybean and cottonseed oils are vegan, palm oil is controversial due to its environmental impact and the deforestation associated with its production.

Mono and Diglycerides

These are fats that act as emulsifiers, helping to mix ingredients that would otherwise separate. They can be derived from both plant and animal sources, so their vegan status can be uncertain without specific details from the manufacturer.

Natural Flavor

This is a broad term that can encompass a wide range of ingredients. Without specific details, it’s hard to determine its vegan status. Natural flavors can be derived from both plant and animal sources.

Xanthan Gum

A thickening agent often used in food products. It’s derived from bacteria and is vegan.

Vegan Alternatives to Pillsbury Pizza Crust

If you’re looking for vegan pizza crusts, there are plenty of vegan pizza crust brands if you know where to look: 

As you can see, brands often cater to people with allergies, such as dairy and gluten, so a lot of vegan pizza crust is also gluten-free.

However, you can also make your own vegan pizza dough at home using ingredients like wheat flour, water, yeast, and olive oil. For those who prefer gluten-free options, cauliflower pizza crust is a tasty choice. Remember, always check the ingredients list to ensure it aligns with your vegan values. Here are some popular online recipes for homemade vegan pizza dough.

Conclusion

Navigating the world of vegan food can be challenging, especially when manufacturers aren’t transparent about their ingredients.

While Pillsbury Pizza Crust has several vegan-friendly ingredients, it falls short in being entirely vegan and cruelty-free.

Thankfully, there are numerous alternatives available for those committed to a vegan lifestyle. Always stay informed and choose products that align with your values.