If you want to know if Salsa Verde Doritos are vegan, you’ve come to the right place.
With so many ingredients and processes out there, it’s hard to know what’s truly vegan.
But this article is here to help and make things clearer for those choosing a vegan path.
Are Salsa Verde Doritos Vegan?
No, Salsa Verde Doritos are not vegan. The product contains natural chicken flavor, which is an animal-derived ingredient.
Is Salsa Verde Doritos Cruelty-Free?
No, Salsa Verde Doritos are not cruelty-free. While the product does not directly harm animals in its ingredients, its inclusion of ingredients like corn syrup solids and modified corn starch, which are routinely from GMO crops, means they might have been tested on animals during the development of GMOs.
What Are Salsa Verde Doritos Made Of?
Salsa Verde Doritos boasts a diverse list of ingredients, some of which are common in many snack foods, while others provide its unique flavor profile:
- Corn
- Vegetable oil (corn, canola, and/or sunflower oil)
- Maltodextrin (made from corn)
- Salt
- Monosodium glutamate
- Dextrose
- Jalapeno pepper powder
- Tomato powder
- Paprika
- Onion
- Citric acid
- Modified cornstarch
- Natural and artificial flavors (including natural chicken flavor)
- Spices and extractives
- Garlic
- Vinegar
- Corn syrup solids
- Artificial color (including yellow 6 lake, red 40 lake, blue 1 lake)
- Parsley
- Lemon juice
Corn
Corn is a staple grain used in many foods. It’s the primary ingredient in Salsa Verde Doritos and is plant based, making it vegan.
Vegetable Oil
Derived from plants like corn, canola, and sunflower, vegetable oil is vegan and is used to provide a crisp texture.
Maltodextrin
A vegan-friendly carbohydrate derived from corn, maltodextrin is used as a thickener or filler in foods.
Salt
Salt is unambiguously vegan. It’s a mineral extracted either from evaporated seawater or mined from underground deposits.
Monosodium Glutamate
Monosodium glutamate (MSG) is vegan. It’s a flavor enhancer synthesized from specific fermentation processes often involving starches or sugars, which are plant-based. However, if you’re living a cruelty-free lifestyle, do not eat MSG; it’s tested on dogs.
Dextrose
Dextrose is generally vegan. It’s a simple sugar derived from starches, like corn. However, it’s probably GMO.
Jalapeno Pepper Powder
Jalapeno pepper powder is vegan, made by drying and grinding jalapeno peppers.
Tomato Powder
Tomato powder is vegan, produced by drying and pulverizing tomatoes.
Paprika
Paprika is vegan. It’s a spice derived from ground bell and chili peppers.
Onion
Onion is vegan, being a root vegetable used in various forms in food products.
Citric Acid
Citric acid is typically vegan. It’s an organic acid found in citrus fruits, though commercially produced often through a fermentation process using fungi.
Modified Cornstarch
Modified cornstarch is vegan, derived from treating corn starch to change its properties. However, it’s probably from GMO corn.
Natural and Artificial Flavors (including natural chicken flavor)
The vegan status of natural and artificial flavors can vary. While many are plant derived, flavors like “natural chicken flavor” can be derived from animal sources or synthesized to mimic the taste. Detailed ingredient inquiries may be necessary.
Garlic
Garlic is vegan, being a bulbous plant used in many culinary dishes.
Spices and Extractives
Spices and spice extractives are vegan, representing flavors extracted from plants.
Vinegar
Vinegar is vegan, made from the fermentation of ethanol by acetic acid bacteria.
Corn Syrup Solids
Corn syrup solids are vegan, being a dehydrated form of corn syrup, but they’re GMO.
Artificial Color (including yellow 6 lake, red 40 lake, blue 1 lake)
Artificial colors can be vegan, but they’re tested on animals. Checking specific colors against vegan databases or with manufacturers is recommended.
Parsley
Parsley is vegan, a common herb used in culinary dishes.
Lemon Juice
Lemon juice is vegan, extracted directly from lemons.
Vegan Alternatives to Salsa Verde Doritos
For snack enthusiasts keen on finding vegan alternatives to traditional puffed wheat snacks like Doritos, there’s good news. Numerous brands offer vegan-friendly snacks that tantalize the taste buds:
- Beanfields Chips: A great vegan alternative to corn chips, offering delicious flavor in every bite.
- Siete Grain Free Tortilla Chips: These are gluten-free, grain-free, and entirely plant-based.
- Late July Snacks Multigrain Tortilla Chips: These chips are not only vegan but also GMO-free.
Conclusion
Salsa Verde Doritos, a favorite snack for many, unfortunately, doesn’t align with a vegan or cruelty-free diet due to ingredients like natural chicken flavor and potential GMO content.
However, with an array of vegan chips available in the market, it’s easier than ever to find a tasty snack that aligns with ethical choices.
Keep reading labels and asking questions to make sure the food you’re eating aligns with your values.