Figuring out whether butter-flavored Crisco is vegan can be tough.
Crisco has a lot of vague ingredients, and some of those ingredients may be of animal origin.
To ensure that you only buy and eat foods that align with your vegan lifestyle, I’ve looked into the ingredients of butter-flavored Crisco.
Here’s what I found.
Is Butter-Flavored Crisco Vegan?
Yes! Butter-flavored Crisco is technically a vegan-friendly product.
The ingredients in butter-flavored Crisco are all plant based, which means they do not contain any animal products. You won’t find traces of animal fat in this product.
There are a couple of controversial ingredients that may be of concern to some vegans, namely palm oil and mono- and diglycerides.
Palm oil is a controversial ingredient to many vegans because it is often produced in a way that harms the environment and animals. Its plantations are responsible for destroying the habitats of many animals, including endangered orangutans.
Sustainable palm oil is what vegans normally look for when trying to decide whether a product is vegan or not. And it is unclear if butter-flavored Crisco uses sustainably sourced palm oil.
Mono- and diglycerides can be of animal or plant origin. They are usually made from glycerin, which can come from animals or plants. Crisco did not specify the source of their mono- and diglycerides.
These ingredients are often included in such minuscule amounts that they are hardly worth worrying about.
So, if you are a vegan looking for butter-flavored shortening, then Crisco is a product you can consider. Just be aware of the palm oil and mono- and diglycerides issue.
Is Butter-Flavored Crisco Cruelty Free?
Yes, butter-flavored Crisco is a cruelty-free product.
Crisco as a brand does not test any of its products on animals, and this includes Crisco Butter Flavor.
However, with the use of palm oil, there is a potential for animal cruelty.
As mentioned before, these plantations are responsible for deforestation and wildlife habitat destruction.
So, while Crisco Butter Flavor as a product is not tested on animals and is therefore cruelty-free, the palm oil used in it may be of concern to some vegans who disagree with the ethics of the palm oil industry.
What Is Vegetable Shortening?
Vegetable shortening is a type of fat that is solid at room temperature.
It is made from vegetable oils, such as soybean oil or cottonseed oil. Vegetable shortening is often used in baking to create a light and flaky texture. This is because it does not contain water, like butter or margarine.
Vegetable shortening is an ingredient in many vegan-friendly products, such as cake mixes, frostings, and baked goods. It is an alternative to using butter or margarine in recipes.
What Is Butter-Flavored Crisco Made Of?
Here are the ingredients of butter-flavored Crisco vegetable shortening:
- Soybean oil
- Fully hydrogenated palm oil
- Palm oil
- Mono- and diglycerides
- TBHQ and citric acid (antioxidants)
- Natural and artificial flavor
- Beta-carotene (pro-vitamin A) added for color
Let’s break down each ingredient of butter-flavored Crisco:
Soybean oil
Soybean oil is a type of vegetable oil that is extracted from soybeans. It is a common ingredient in many food products, including margarine, vegetable oils, and salad dressings. It is a vegan-friendly ingredient.
Fully hydrogenated palm oil
Fully hydrogenated palm oil is a type of palm oil that has been treated with hydrogen gas. This process makes it more solid and stable at room temperature. It is vegan.
Palm oil
Palm oil is a type of vegetable oil that is extracted from the fruit of palm trees. It is a common ingredient in many food products, including margarine, vegetable oils, and salad dressings. It is a vegan-friendly ingredient, but because of how it is produced, it is considered controversial for some vegans.
Mono- and diglycerides
Mono- and diglycerides are usually made from animal fats, but they can also be made from plants. The mono- and diglycerides in butter-flavored Crisco are likely plant-based since it is marketed as all vegetable.
TBHQ and citric acid (antioxidants)
TBHQ and citric acid are added to food products as antioxidants. They help to preserve the food and keep it fresh for longer. TBHQ is a synthetic ingredient, while citric acid is a natural ingredient. Both of these ingredients are vegan-friendly.
Natural and artificial flavor
Natural and artificial flavors can be made from either animal or plant sources. Crisco’s natural flavor is most likely made from plant sources because it is marketed as all-vegetable. Artificial flavors are vegan because they are made from synthetic sources.
Beta-carotene (pro-vitamin A) added for color
Beta-carotene is a type of pigment that is found in plants. It is often used to add color to food products. Beta-carotene is a vegan-friendly ingredient.
Why Is Butter-Flavored Crisco Vegan?
This Crisco shortening is vegan for a few reasons. One, all of the ingredients are plant based. Two, none of the ingredients are derived from animals. Three, the product is not tested on animals.
Some vegans may have an issue with the palm oil used in this product. As mentioned before, palm oil is a controversial ingredient for some vegans because of the way it is produced. Palm oil is often sourced from countries where rainforest deforestation is occurring. This results in the loss of habitat for many animals, including endangered species.
While butter Crisco is technically vegan, some vegans may choose to avoid it due to the palm oil issue.
Is Crisco’s All Vegetable Shortening Vegan?
Yes, Crisco’s All Vegetable Shortening is vegan. It does not contain any animal-based ingredients.
This vegetable shortening is safe for vegan consumption.
Is Crisco Professional No-Stick Cooking Spray Vegan?
Yes. Crisco Professional No-Stick Cooking Spray is vegan. It does not contain any animal-based ingredients.
This product is safe for vegan consumption.
Is Crisco Pure Vegetable Oil Vegan?
Yes, Crisco Pure Vegetable Oil is vegan. It does not contain any animal-based ingredients. Soybean oil is used in this product, which is a vegan-friendly ingredient.
This vegetable shortening is safe for vegan consumption.
Is Crisco Blends Oil Vegan?
Yes, Crisco Blends vegetable oils are vegan. They do not contain any animal-based ingredients. The oils in this product are soybean oil, sunflower oil, and canola oil. All of these oils are vegan-friendly.
This product is safe for vegan consumption.
Is Crisco Frying Oil Blend Vegan?
Yes, Crisco Frying Oil Blend is vegan. It does not contain any animal-based ingredients. The oils in this product are soybean oil, canola oil, and sunflower oil. All of these oils are vegan-friendly.
This product is suitable for vegan consumption.
Final Words
This Crisco shortening, with its buttery taste, is surprisingly vegan. All the ingredients are plant based and none of them are derived from animals. While palm oil and mono- and diglycerides may be a deal-breaker for some vegans, all other ingredients are considered vegan friendly.