Takis are a delicious corn-based snack that is very popular in the United States. Many people enjoy Takis for their bold flavor and crunchy texture. But what about those who are vegan? Can vegans enjoy Takis, too?
Are Takis Vegan?
The short answer is no, Takis are not Vegan. Takis has five flavors that are widely—and wrongly— considered vegan: Takis Fuego, Takis Nitro Habanero, Blue Heat Flavor, Spicy BBQ Outlaw Flavor, and Dragon Spicy Sweet Chile flavor. However, all these flavors contain two non-vegan ingredients: Sugar and artificial colors.
Sugar, while technically plant-based, is typically processed with bone char. Bone char is made from animal bones and is used as a filter in the sugar refining process. Of course, some sugars aren’t processed with bone char, but most companies source their sugar from several different sources, some that use bone char and some that don’t. So unless the company has a strict policy against using sugar filtered with bone char, they can’t be certifiably vegan.
The same goes for the colorings Red 40 and Yellow 6. These are derived from coal tar, which comes from petroleum. Both would be vegan if not for one thing: they are tested on animals. Rabbits, rats, and mice are often exploited during these tests and are promptly killed once the testing is complete. Animal exploitation is not supported by the vegan lifestyle.
So, while Takis are delicious, they are certainly not vegan.
What Are Takis Made Of?
Here’s a list of ingredients in basic Takis:
- Corn masa flour
- Vegetable oil (canola, soybean, or rice bran oil)
- Salt
- Sugar
- Color Red 40
- Natural and artificial flavors
- Maltodextrin
- Diced tomato with green chile peppers seasoning (diced tomatoes, water, vegetable oil, onion powder, salt, dehydrated garlic, sugar, dehydrated onion, dehydrated green chile pepper)
- Hydrolyzed soy protein
- Spices (garlic powder, red bell pepper powder, chili pepper extractives )
- Citric acid
- Monosodium glutamate (MSG)
Let’s break down these ingredients.
Corn masa flour
Corn masa flour is a corn flour made from dried and ground corn kernels. It’s a key ingredient in many Mexican dishes and is also used in making tortillas and tamales. There are no animals or animal derivatives in this ingredient, making it vegan.
Vegetable oil
This is a broad term that can refer to any plant-based oil. The most common type of vegetable oil is soybean oil, but other common vegetable oils include canola oil, olive oil, and sunflower oil. As long as the oil does not come from an animal, it’s vegan.
Salt
Salt is a mineral composed of sodium and chloride. It’s found in many foods and is used to add flavor or as a preservative. Salt does not come from animals and is completely vegan.
Sugar
Sugar is plant based and would be vegan but for the bone char filter used to refine it. As mentioned before, bone char is made from cattle bones and is used to filter impurities from the sugar, giving it its white color. This makes refined sugar non-cruelty free and not vegan. For vegan sugar, look for raw, unrefined, or organic.
Color Red 40
Red 40 is an artificial color derived from coal tar. While it is petroleum based and not derived from ground up cochineal bugs like some other food dyes, it’s still not vegan because it is tested on animals. It is certainly not cruelty free, which is a deal-breaker for most vegans.
Natural and artificial flavors
Natural and artificial flavors are used to add flavor to food. These can be derived from many sources, both plant and animal. Unless the company specifically states that its flavors are vegan, it’s best to assume that they’re not. Most vegans avoid artificial flavors because they are often tested on animals.
Maltodextrin
Maltodextrin is a type of sugar made from starch. It’s often used as a thickener or filler. Unlike refined sugar, maltodextrin is not filtered with bone char and is therefore vegan.
Diced tomato with green chile peppers seasoning
This seasoning is made from diced tomatoes, water, vegetable oil, onion powder, salt, dehydrated garlic, sugar, dehydrated onion, and dehydrated green chile. None of these ingredients come from an animal, so this seasoning is vegan.
Hydrolyzed soy protein
This ingredient is a type of soy protein that has been treated with water to make it more soluble. It’s often used as a flavor enhancer or as a meat alternative. This ingredient is vegan because it does not contain any animal products or by-products.
Spices: garlic powder, red bell pepper powder
Spices come from plants and add flavor to food.
Garlic powder and red bell pepper powder are both vegan.
Citric acid
Citric acid is a type of acid found in citrus fruits. It’s often used as a preservative or to add flavor.
Citric acid only comes from plants, so it’s vegan.
Monosodium glutamate (MSG)
MSG is a type of salt used to add flavor. It is a natural mineral, but it can also be made artificially. MSG isn’t derived from animals or animal products, so it is vegan.
Why Aren’t Takis Vegan?
Takis aren’t vegan because most of the flavors and variants have dairy and milk-derived ingredients. Items like whey powder and dried buttermilk come from animals and are not vegan.
Even the very popular ones, widely considered to be vegan flavors, such as Fuego and Nitro Habanero, contain animal derivatives, such as sugar processed with bone char.
As you can see, there are quite a few ingredients in Takis flavors that make them not vegan. While some of these ingredients may not be obvious at first, and it’s very easy to assume that Takis are vegan, it’s important to be aware of all the ingredients that go into making these chips.
Are Takis Fuego Vegan?
Takis Fuego are not vegan. The Fuego flavor contains refined sugar, which means that it was likely filtered with bone char. Takis’ Fuego flavor also has Red 40, which is tested on animals. Takis Fuego chips are not safe for vegan consumption.
Are Takis Nitro Habanero Vegan?
Nitro Habanero is another popular Takis flavor, but it’s also not a vegan flavor. Nitro Habanero contains refined sugar. It’s also made with Red 40, which gives it its bright red color and is not cruelty free.
Takis Nitro Habanero are not safe for vegan consumption.
Are Takis Guacamole Vegan?
Takis Guacamole are not vegan. Not only do Takis Guacamole contain refined sugar and Red 40, but they also have whey powder and eggs. Whey powder is a by-product of cheese production and is not vegan. Eggs come from chickens and are not vegan. Takis Guacamole are not safe for vegan consumption.
Are Takis Salsa Brava Vegan?
Salsa Brava is another flavor of Takis that is not vegan. This flavor doesn’t have dairy or eggs, but it does have refined sugar and Red 40. Takis Salsa Brava are not safe for vegan consumption.
Are Takis Xplosion Vegan?
Takis Xplosion contain dairy, eggs, and Red 40. Takis Xplosion are not safe for vegan consumption.
Are Takis Crunchy Fajitas Vegan?
Takis Crunchy Fajitas are not vegan. They contain milk and eggs, as well as refined sugar and Red 40. Takis Crunchy Fajitas are not safe for vegan consumption.
Are Takis Zombie Vegan?
Zombie is Takis’ seasonal Halloween flavor and is also not vegan. The Zombie flavor contains milk, eggs, sugar, and Red 40. Takis Zombie are not safe for vegan consumption.
Are Takis Blue Heat Vegan?
Blue Heat contains milk and eggs, as well as Red 40. Takis Blue Heat is not safe for vegan consumption.
Are Takis Wild Vegan?
Takis Wild contain milk, eggs, and Red 40. Takis Wild are not safe for vegan consumption.
Which Takis Are Vegan?
Unfortunately, no Takis flavors are vegan. Several flavors contain dairy and eggs. Some, like Fuego and Nitro Habanero, which are generally considered vegan flavors, have ingredients that are not completely vegan.
They have the color Red 40, which is tested on rats and mice.
They also contain sugar that is often filtered using bone char, a non-vegan product.
So, if you’re looking for vegan chips, Takis chips are not the brand for you. However, there are many other brands of chips that are vegan and just as delicious!
Vegan Alternatives to Takis
If you’re looking for alternative vegan snacks, there are many options available. Many brands of crunchy snacks are vegan and even more delicious than Takis! Here are a few vegan alternatives to Takis:
- Fritos Original Corn Chips
- Garden of Eatin’ Blue Tortilla Chips
- Beanfield Chips
- On The Border Café Style Tortilla Chips
- Late July Tortilla Chips
Final Word
With the vast majority of Takis chips flavors containing dairy, eggs, and other animal-derived ingredients, it is safe to say that Takis are not vegan.
These corn snacks are certainly not as cruelty free as many people think.
However, there are plenty of delicious vegan chips on the market for you to enjoy. Be sure to check the ingredients before you buy to make sure they are free of animal ingredients, cruelty free, and in line with your dietary needs.